Georgia Southern alum returns to Statesboro
Elizabeth Kicklighter has been named Georgia Southern University’s Head Cheerleading Coach, Director of Athletics Chris Davis announced on Friday. The Georgia Southern alumna returns to Statesboro after a year as the head coach at Long Island University, where she led the Sharks’ cheerleading team to a National Championship at the UCA College Nationals in the Open Spirit Program Game Day division.
“As the Head Cheerleading Coach at Georgia Southern University, returning to my alma mater is truly a full-circle moment for me,” Kicklighter said. “This place, its traditions, and the people make it feel like home in every sense. I’m incredibly grateful to Athletic Director Chris Davis and the selection committee for believing in me. I look forward to working alongside an outstanding coaching staff—Stephanie Del Forn, Massey Warren, Katherine Brown, Abi Johnson, and Drew Fulton—as we continue to build upon and maintain the proud legacy of this program. I can’t wait to return to Statesboro, Georgia, and get started, beginning with tryouts on May 16th and 17th. HAIL SOUTHERN!”
Prior to her hiring at LIU, Kicklighter spent four seasons on staff at Georgia Southern, where she captained the Eagles’ cheer team to a national championship at the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College Nationals in 2021 in the All-Girl Intermediate discipline. In 2022, as a student assistant coach, Kicklighter helped lead her team to a second consecutive NCA national championship.
Kicklighter officially joined Georgia Southern’s coaching staff in the summer of 2022 and, over the course of the last three seasons, increased her responsibilities within the program. During her tenure, Kicklighter oversaw fundraising and compliance for the program, directly oversaw the program’s special appearance events, and was the coach solely responsible for various performances at volleyball and basketball games, in addition to managing other major administrative components of the program.
A competitive cheerleader of 12 years, Kicklighter was a four-time participant at the U.S. All Star Federation Cheerleading Worlds Competition (2014-2017) and a four-time participant in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Competition Cheerleading Championship (2013-2016). She graduated from Georgia Southern in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance, was a recipient of the HOPE Scholarship, and was a Dean’s List honoree.
“We are thrilled to welcome Elizabeth Kicklighter back home to Statesboro,” Davis said. “Elizabeth is a proud alumna, a former member of our national championship cheer squad, and a proven leader who has already made her mark as a head coach at the collegiate level. Her passion, experience and connection to our program make her the perfect person to lead our cheerleading program into its next chapter. There is a special kind of excitement in bringing one of our own back, and we cannot wait to see the impact she will have on our student-athletes and the game-day environment for all of Eagle Nation.”
Kicklighter’s first day is May 1. The hiring is contingent on the completion of a successful background check.
