The Athletics Department announced last month that Madison Nugent will serve as the University’s dance and cheer coach. Nugent brings nine years of coaching experience to SFU, both at the high school and competitive cheer levels.
Nugent is not new to Saint Francis. She serves as the Administrative Assistant and Special Events Coordinator in the Shields School of Business.
Nugent said that she wants the members of her team to know that she is accessible to them outside of practices and competitions.
“I always tell my girls I’m only a phone call away if they need anything,” said Nugent.
Nugent earned her bachelor’s degree in Sport Management with a minor in Athletic Coaching from Clarion. She is currently working toward a master’s degree in Strategic Leadership at SFU.
The University’s new cheer and dance coach said that her core values as a coach are “centered on developing leaders.” She said she wants the best for her athletes and strives to help them grow not only as players but also as individuals.
Nugent said that she will emphasize clean cut routines and perfecting techniques. Her team will be in the weight room at least once a week to focus on injury prevention and overall strength.
Beyond physical training, Nugent intends to emphasize structure and accountability.
By taking an active role in planning and providing leadership, she said she hopes to reduce unnecessary stress on her athletes, while giving them the support they need to succeed on and off the dance floor.
Lindsay Nyanko is a junior and one of the team’s captains in 2026-27. She said that having a coach who is more involved and organized “takes over a lot of responsibility, so it’s less student ran, and athletes can still be students.”
