BULDING A POWERHOUSE

By Brandon Petersen

For Rhonda Roberts, the most meaningful victories have never been measured by trophies.

Championship banners, national titles and podium finishes represent years of sacrifice and commitment. Yet when Roberts reflects on her coaching career, the moments that stand out most often arrive long after the final routine has ended.

Sometimes they come through a phone call, a message or an unexpected conversation with a former athlete.

"Some of my greatest rewards as a coach have come years later when former athletes reach out and tell me they still remember something I said that helped them navigate life," Roberts said. "Those moments remind me that coaching is about much more than skills and championships—it's about making a lasting impact on people."

That philosophy has guided Roberts throughout a coaching career spanning more than two decades and helped establish her reputation as one of the most respected leaders in collegiate cheer and STUNT. Now, it is the same philosophy she brings to Westcliff University as she prepares to launch the Warriors' STUNT program.

Building programs has become one of the defining themes of her career.

Her journey began in Texas, where she developed a passion for cheerleading and competitive athletics at an early age. She later attended the University of Texas at Austin, competing as a collegiate cheerleader while beginning her coaching career.

During her college years, Roberts served as an instructor for the United Spirit Association, traveling across the country and working with athletes of varying ages and skill levels.

"I came from hardcore Texas cheerleading," Roberts said. "Everyone on our college team worked outside of practice to increase their skills."

The culture emphasized discipline, accountability and personal responsibility.

"This instilled the work ethic that I expect from my athletes," she said.

Roberts also learned that demanding excellence and creating an enjoyable environment can coexist.

"We also had fun at practice but it was always AFTER we trained and conditioned," Roberts said. "I have developed a philosophy that it's fun to be good."

In 2001, Roberts accepted the position of Head Cheer Coach at UCLA, gaining experience leading student-athletes at one of the nation's premier athletic institutions.

After her family relocated from Los Angeles, she coached at Diamond Bar High School before accepting a position that would become one of the defining opportunities of her career.

In 2007, Roberts was named Head Coach at Mt. San Antonio College, where she was tasked with rebuilding a program from the ground up.

The challenge suited her well.

Under her leadership, Mt. SAC captured a USA National Championship and earned a third-place finish in Daytona behind two established national powerhouses.

Now, as she arrives at Westcliff, Roberts sees a similar opportunity.

"The chance to build something new, provide another collegiate cheer avenue for athletes and the support from the school for this new NCAA sport," Roberts said when asked what attracted her to the position.

"What excites me most about leading the Westcliff STUNT program is the opportunity to build a strong team culture from day one," Roberts said, "bringing together a group of athletes who will help shape the program's identity while embracing the strategic and highly competitive nature of the sport."

For many prospective student-athletes and fans, STUNT remains a relatively new sport.

Unlike traditional cheer competitions, STUNT features a head-to-head format in which teams perform identical routines and earn points based on execution. The game is divided into four quarters that showcase partner stunts, pyramids, tosses, jumps and tumbling, creating a fast-paced competition that rewards both athleticism and strategy.

"It's unique from traditional cheer competition because teams go head-to-head with another team with the same routine and officials determine who gets the point for each round," Roberts explained. "There's also a strategy to which routines you call."

As the sport continues to grow nationally, Roberts believes it creates new opportunities for athletes seeking a competitive environment built on teamwork and performance.

That process begins with recruiting.

"I'm looking for athletes that understand what it means to be a part of a competitive team," she said.

Success, she believes, starts in the classroom.

"They must be a good student first and take care of their academics," Roberts said, "and they must have a work ethic that will improve their skills and benefit the team overall."

Roberts describes herself as firm, positive and approachable while maintaining high standards for accountability.

"I believe athletes perform their best when they know their coach cares about them," she said.

"I am encouraging and supportive, but I also believe in accountability and personal responsibility," Roberts said. "I have very little tolerance for excuses because I want athletes to learn how to overcome challenges and reach their full potential."

The culture she hopes to establish at Westcliff is built around three core values.

Discipline.

Respect.

Kindness.

"The core values I'd like my student-athletes to embrace is discipline, respect and kindness," Roberts said. "I want them to leave this program being well-rounded good humans that were a part of something great."

As she enters her first season, Roberts' priorities are clear: recruit the right athletes, establish a strong foundation, develop proper technique and build trust throughout the program.

"I want them to understand that we will only move to the next level of skills when we are executing the basics with perfection," Roberts said.

Looking ahead, Roberts sees tremendous potential for both Westcliff STUNT and the sport itself.

"If we lock in as a program, I can only imagine where we could go next," Roberts said.

"My long-term goals for Westcliff STUNT is to build a powerhouse," she said. "I want when people see our name as the opponent, they want to come watch because they know we mean business."

Three or four years from now, Roberts hopes people will see a team that competes at a high level, plays with confidence and genuinely enjoys the experience.

"When people look at Westcliff STUNT three or four years from now, I want them to say, they look like they are having fun and they make it look so easy," Roberts said. "I want to be on that team."