When David Patton decided to join the cheerleading team at Louisiana State University (LSU) in 2008, he did not know it would lead to a fruitful coaching career.
“I did gymnastics for several years, so I decided to try out for cheerleading in college as a way to make friends and get involved,” David said. “It’s something that has stuck with me and had a major impact on my life.”
In 2011, David transferred to the University of Kentucky (UK), where he was part of the cheerleading team that won the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) National College Cheerleading Championship in 2012. Barred from cheering for another season because of an NCAA rule limiting college athletes to five years of eligibility, David was excited when he was offered the opportunity to become an assistant coach for UK’s team.
“Coaching was not something I was planning to do, but I am so happy I gave it a shot because I love it,” David said.
David coached at UK for three years, helping lead the team to two national championships. By this time, he had observed that many cheerleaders are not taught the technical gymnastics skills necessary for performing more complex stunts and tumbling maneuvers. In addition to poor technique, this lack of training can increase cheerleaders’ risk of injury.
“Too often, cheerleaders are rushed through the fundamentals to get to the stunts that are seen as more fun,” David said. “But the fun stunts are painful and dangerous for many of them because they have not learned how to do them properly.”
He decided to move back to his home state of Louisiana to develop and execute a coaching program incorporating proper gymnastics training for young cheerleaders.
“My system takes cheerleaders through skill progressions that enable them to get strong enough and flexible enough to master proper technique and remain safe,” David said.
Over the last eight years, David has proven that his program works, offering private lessons and classes, working as the tumbling director at Jump-N-Jive in Prairieville, Louisiana, and serving as a skills coach for feeder teams affiliated with several local high schools. Many of the athletes he has coached have helped their high school teams win national championships and even represented the United States in international competitions.
“I am proud of the work ethic and courage I have helped instill in the kids I’ve coached,” David said. “They might think a stunt is scary at first, but they face it until they make it. Through practice, they get better and braver, which is a skill they can apply to any aspect of life.”
David recently decided to expand his horizons by enrolling in Logan University’s Master of Science in Strength & Conditioning (MSSC) program.
“I’d like to branch out into other sports,” David said. “By this time, I have helped raise generations of cheerleaders and created a blueprint for other cheerleading coaches. Now I am ready to venture out and see what I can do in other areas.”
So far, David is enjoying the convenience and flexibility of the program’s online format and appreciates the responsiveness of his instructors. He is looking forward to completing his required field experience at Catholic High School (CHS) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He will be working closely with Matt Bruce, who is the head strength and conditioning coach for all CHS’ athletic programs and a former Olympic weightlifter.
David is on track to graduate in August 2025 and hopes to work as a strength and conditioning coach at a university or high school.
“Logan’s MSSC program is preparing me for the National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam, which will help me land the job I want,” David said.