Former Cleveland cheerleader now coaching Lobos cheer team

ALBUQUERQUE — Cleveland Storm alumni Jocelyn Kempisty has been making waves in the cheer world, but this time as a coach for the University of New Mexico.

“Definitely a dream job. Like I said, I have coached awhile. I’ve coached all-star teams, I have coached acrobatics for dance, I coached at La Cueva for a few years but here — especially a DI college — that’s huge. I was really excited when I interviewed, and I ended up getting the job,” Kempisty said. “Cheerleading is a passion — like you have to really love it to be able to do it.”

Kempisty has been cheerleading for 18 years, including cheering collegiately for the UNM’s all-girl team. Now, Kempisty is the coach for the all-girl cheer squad and helps out with the other two spirit squads: the co-ed and dance team.

“I was a back spot. I did every position, like I have ‘flown,’ I have ‘sided,’ I have ‘mained’ but, I was mostly a back spot — that was my strong suit — and a tumbler, so I did all the flips,” Kempisty jokingly said.

During her time at Cleveland, Kempisty was part of the girls team that won state in 2013.

“Cleveland actually made me fall in love with UCA-style cheerleading. I actually ended up leaving All Star because of Cleveland. I tried to do both, and I was on three teams at one point, and it was too much work,” Kempisty said.

All Star Cheer is a form of club competitive cheer that follows National Cheerleaders Association guidelines, which focuses on dance, tumbling, stunts and choreography. On the other hand, high schools and colleges traditionally follow UCA Universal Cheerleaders Association guidelines. UCA focuses on routines that are centered around stunts and cheering.

Many of the cheerleaders on the 2013 Cleveland cheer team have become coaches throughout the state, one of them being Madison Weaver, who is the head coach for the Cleveland cheer program.

“It has a lot to do with our coach at Cleveland at that time, Alex Kramer. She inspired us a lot. She wasn’t the type of coach to yell at you or get mad, but she’d give you that look,” Kempisty recalled. “She kind of inspired all of us to be like, ‘Oh, this is what we want to do.’”

Now in her second year of coaching at UNM, Kempisty is living the dream and has some advice to any cheerleader who, like her, hopes to coach one day.

“I have had all different kinds of coaches: I have had really sweet coaches, very strict, very hard coaches. All in all, I have found a good balance of both,” Kempisty said. “Go into it knowing what kind of coach you want to be. You’ll definitely grow over time.”

Here’s what some Lobos had to say about Coach Jocelyn:

UNM Spirit Coordinator and Head Coach Haley LeBlanc

“She is a very positive and uplifting coach. She wants the best for the kids, not just one team but all the teams.”

UNM Cheerleader Montana Skye Ebbesen, fifth year, back spot

“She’s been coaching the last two years. She’s been great ... she’s kind of just blossomed even more.”

UNM Cheerleader Jordyn Suber, fourth year, side base and back spot

“I am maybe one of the biggest Coach Jocelyn fans you’re going to meet. I love her … I was having a really bad mental block with my tumbling. I had gotten the chance to work with her, and she really helped put my needs first .”

UNM Cheerleader Kayley Macy, first year, flyer

“I have loved my time here, and it has been really rewarding. Jocelyn is a really encouraging coach and always pushes to be better.”

UNM Cheerleader Jenessa Aragon, first year, flyer

“I love her. She is very encouraging, and just a very positive coach.”