Competitive Cheer (Game Day) | 7/28/2026 5:15:00 PM

ERIE, Pa. – Gannon University Director of Athletics Meghan Morphy has announced the hiring of Courtney Cadore as the University's Head Competitive Cheer and Dance Coach. Cadore becomes the fourth head coach in program history as the Golden Knights enter the 2027 season.

"Courtney brings extensive personal experience in both collegiate and professional cheer and dance, along with a proven record of success coaching at the collegiate level," said Morphy.  

"Her expertise, combined with her commitment to the holistic development of student-athletes and her passion for competitive cheer and dance, made her the clear choice to serve as our next Head Competitive Cheer and Dance Coach. We are excited to welcome Courtney to Gannon and look forward to seeing our student-athletes build on the program's tradition of competitive excellence under her leadership."

Cadore arrives in Erie following three successful seasons as the head competitive cheer and dance coach at Loyola University New Orleans, where she transformed the Wolf Pack into one of the NAIA's rising programs while overseeing all aspects of the program, including recruiting, athlete development, budgeting, game-day performances and community engagement.

In just three seasons at Loyola, Cadore orchestrated one of the nation's fastest-rising NAIA competitive cheer and dance programs.

She rebuilt the Wolf Pack through aggressive recruiting and retention efforts, growing the roster to nearly 38 student-athletes while establishing a culture centered on competitive excellence, academic achievement and community service.

Under Cadore's leadership, Loyola reached new heights during the 2025-26 season.

The Wolf Pack recorded the highest finish in program history at the NAIA Competitive Cheer and Dance National Championships, placing 10th nationally, while improving the team's average competition score by nearly 30 points to an 89.73 average.

The program also earned Top 10 conference rankings in each of the league's four ranking releases.

Cadore also elevated Loyola's dance program into one of the NAIA's premier squads, helping the Wolf Pack finish second nationally among 45 competitive dance programs.

She reintroduced a coed cheer team by recruiting male student-athletes after several years without male participation and expanded the program's visibility through campus engagement, community outreach, alumni relations and enhanced recruiting initiatives.

Before taking over at Loyola, Cadore spent two years at Dillard University as the Assistant to the Athletic Director and Head Cheer Coach.

In addition to assisting with athletic department operations, budgeting and event management, she transformed Dillard's cheer program into a competitive program and led the team to its first competitive cheer victory in program history in 2023.

In addition to her collegiate coaching experience, Cadore brings an accomplished background in professional cheerleading and sports entertainment.

She spent five seasons as a member of the New Orleans Saints Cheer Krewe, serving as a team captain, player-coach and the organization's 2025 Pro Bowl Cheerleader. During her tenure, she was named Veteran of the Year in 2022-23 and earned Line of the Year honors in both 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Cadore also served for more than a decade as an instructor with the National Cheerleaders Association, where she helped develop hundreds of athletes through camps focused on skill development, choreography and leadership.

"I am incredibly honored and excited to join Gannon University as the next Head Cheer and Dance Coach," expressed Cadore. What immediately drew me to Gannon was the University's strong values and the genuine support for all of its athletic programs, especially cheer and dance. I am especially grateful to Director of Athletics, Meghan Morphy for this opportunity and for her confidence in me to lead the program!

From my first conversations with the staff, it was clear that Gannon is committed to excellence, student-athlete development, and creating an environment where every program has the opportunity to succeed. I am appreciative of the opportunity to lead this program and look forward to building on its strong foundation, fostering a positive and competitive culture, and helping our student-athletes grow in the classroom, on the cheer mat and dance floor, and in life. I also look forward to connecting with our student-athletes, alumni, and fans and beginning this exciting new chapter with the entire Gannon community."

Cadore earned a Bachelor of Science in Health, Leisure and Fitness Studies from Florida A&M University in 2018 before completing her Master of Sports Management at Florida A&M in 2019.