Kelli Makowski was promoted to head coach of Gannon University's competitive cheer and dance teams on Aug. 1, 2024.
Makowski, a 2018 Gannon graduate, had been an assistant coach with the program since the 2021-22 season.
"Kelli has continually demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the student-athlete experience and growth as a leader," said Director of Athletics Lisa Goddard McGuirk. "In addition to her coaching experience in our program, Kelli has impressive competitive experience as an athlete in the disciplines of both competitive cheer and dance, making her uniquely positioned to provide her expertise to our student-athletes. She is so deserving of this opportunity, and I'm excited for the team to continue to build on the solid foundation and momentum under her leadership. "
"I am thrilled and deeply honored to be stepping into the role of head coach for Gannon University's Competitive Cheer and Dance team," Makowski said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to lead such a talented and dedicated group of athletes. Together we will focus on fostering a positive and inclusive environment, strive for excellence, and build on past successes. Thank you to Kerri Makay, as well as the Gannon Athletic Department, for their support and trust in my vision for our program's future. I am excited for what lies ahead. Go Knights!"
Makowski completed her third season as a competitive cheer and dance assistant coach in 2023-24. She returned to the program as an assistant for the 2021-22 season after spending three seasons as a student-athlete with the team from 2015 to 2017. Makowski earned a bachelor's degree in Advertising and Communication from Gannon in 2018 while minoring in Fine Arts Applied, Marketing, and Business Administration.
She played a key role in helping Gannon to a strong performance at the 2024 NCA and NDA Collegiate Nationals in Daytona Beach, Fla. At Nationals, Gannon placed third in the Hip Hop dance category, fourth in Team Performance dance, fifth in Game Day cheer, and ninth (among 14 teams) in the All-Girl cheer competition.
Earlier at Gannon's annual Road to Daytona Showcase, the Game Day squad set a GU event record with a score of 95.3 points. Meanwhile, the Hip Hop and Team Performance dance teams also placed first.
"I have had the pleasure and privilege of working alongside Kelli for the past two and a half years. When she started as my assistant, she was the most perfect addition and, often, my lifeline. When she was added to the staff, I quickly learned that she was the missing piece," said former head coach Kerri Makay, who moved to another position in Gannon Athletics. "During her time in the assistant coach role, she has displayed professionalism, integrity, high-level communication, passion, and dedication that is unmatched. She has grown and developed as an individual in ways that make this next step the perfect one; it just makes sense.
"She played an integral role in maintaining and bringing new success to the program. While I am sad to move on, I am more than confident that I am leaving this program in highly skilled and capable hands. I cannot wait to watch her take this program to new heights and will forever be cheering her on."
In 2023, Makowski assisted a Gannon program that saw three of its four teams advance to the finals at the NCA and NDA Collegiate Championships. GU's Game Day squad placed third, the Hip Hop dance team placed fifth, and the Co-ed team finished eighth. The Team Performance dance squad narrowly missed making the finals.
In her first year as an assistant, she helped guide the teams to 2022 NCA & NDA Collegiate National Championship finishes of fourth place (Hip Hop dance), sixth place (Co-ed cheer and dance Team Performance), and seventh place in All-Girl cheer.
As a student-athlete, Makowski performed as a flyer for the Competitive Cheer disciplines while competing on the All-Girl team for two years and the Co-ed team for one season. In her final season in 2017, she helped the team set program-bests in scoring and finish fourth in the nation in Co-ed and fifth in the nation in All-Girl.
In 2016, she was part of a Gannon program that finished fifth in the Co-ed division at Nationals and helped the All-Girl squad to a second-place finish in the Challenge Cup after barely missing a berth in the finals. In 2015, she helped Gannon advance to the All-Girl Division II finals at Nationals and finish sixth in the nation.
Prior to attending Gannon as a student-athlete, Makowski trained in dance starting at the age of 2, and she danced competitively from the ages of 10 to 18.
