SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Earlier this fall the Converse University Board of Trustees approved the addition of a Spirit Squad for the 2022-2023 Academic Year. The University is also excited to announce the hiring of Maddie Bowser as the first head coach for the Spirit Squad.

"We are excited to bring a spirit squad to Converse, and we look forward to having them work with the various departments on campus, as we strive to generate more school spirit at athletic events and during other special events on campus and in our great community," Converse University Athletic Director Jenn Bell said.

"As for Maddie Bowser becoming our inaugural coach, I knew right away that she was the coach for us. Her vision for this program matched what we had in mind when we proposed it to the Board of Trustees earlier this fall, and I cannot wait to watch her build this program with student-athletes who will help us continue pursuing excellence in the classroom, in the sport venues and in the community," Bell remarked.

"I cannot express how excited I am for Converse's inaugural spirit squad to be up and running," Bowser said. "I am honored and humbled by this opportunity to be the head coach at Converse University. Converse is growing quickly as a University and I believe that the spirit squad will be a great addition to campus in the years to come! I already know that many smiles and great times will be shared as our future squad cheers at games and brings the pep to student life events. Get Ready!"

The Converse spirit squad will work in conjunction with the athletics department, admissions office, alumni relations office, institutional advancement office and the student activities office. Fans will also see the spirit squad out in the community.

Tryouts for the inaugural team will be announced in the upcoming months. For questions about the spirit squad please email Maddie Bowser at madison.bowser@converse.edu

Getting to Know the Valkyries Spirit Coach:
Maddie joined the Converse University staff in December 2021 as the Head Coach of Converse's inaugural Spirit Squad. 

Even though she is a Northerner at heart (raised in Washington State and attended college in Ohio), Maddie has called South Carolina home for 3 ½ years now. After graduating from Cedarville University with a degree in Psychology, she moved to Greenville on a whim to be a part of a post-graduate Fellowship program through Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church. Since then, she has enjoyed learning and growing through roles at Boosterthon School Fundraising and also as the Assistant Director of Student Ministries at Advent United Methodist Church in Simpsonville, SC. 

Maddie fell in love with the sport of Cheerleading back in high school and has dreamed of leading a squad ever since. She also coaches at Firegem cheer academy in Greenville and loves teaching the young students there how to stunt and tumble. She is very excited about Converse University's first ever Spirit Squad and honored to be a part of it!

Maddie lives in Greenville and, when she's not working, loves to do cardio dance workouts, hang out with friends from church, listen to K-pop, and create content for the podcast she hosts with her roommate.
 
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