Tennessee Tech sophomore balances marching band and spirit squad roles during historic season
On game days at Tennessee Tech University, sophomore music education major Jace Simmons is easy to spot—if you can keep up with him.
A Chattanooga native, Simmons serves in two of Tech’s largest and most visible student groups: the Golden Eagle Marching Band and the Spirit Squad. This year marks the largest membership in the history of both organizations, and Simmons stands at the center of the excitement, sprinting across campus and changing uniforms as many as seven times in a single game day.
Simmons’ path to pulling off this unusual dual role started years before he arrived at Tech. He began cheering in fifth grade and joined band the following year. By high school, with the support of his cheer coach and band director, he learned to balance both activities throughout all four years.
“I figured that’s where it would end,” Simmons said. “I didn’t think I’d be able to do both at a university because of the commitment. But we communicated and got it figured out. Now it’s great. Honestly, the busier I am, the better I do. If I fill up my schedule enough to not allow myself to procrastinate, I’ll keep good grades.”
In the Golden Eagle Marching Band, Simmons plays clarinet. On the Spirit Squad, he serves as a co-ed base, hoisting other cheerleaders up into the air during stunts and gameday performances. Supporting Tech athletics means contributing to a program coming off the most successful football season in university history—a point of pride that added to the energy and atmosphere in the stands.
Game days for Simmons start with the Eagle Walk – a pre-game tradition in which Golden Eagle fans line the path as the team arrives at the stadium – wearing his cheer uniform, followed by a quick sprint to the Bryan Fine Arts Building to change into his band attire for the tailgate performance. He typically stays with the band through halftime before racing back to change into his cheer uniform for the second half.
Sydney Hickerson, head coach of the Spirit Squad, admits she was initially unsure whether any student could maintain the commitments required for cheer and band.
“College cheerleading is a lot,” Hickerson said. “But good communication with Dr. Miller and the ability to compromise has made it work. And Jace gives 100%. He’s kind of the hype guy—fun, upbeat and smart about cheerleading. His cheer IQ is really high, and he’s a huge help with our younger cheerleaders.”
The Spirit Squad—which includes Tech’s cheer, dance and mascot teams—has grown to more than 50 student-athletes, the largest in program history. Last season, the team placed fourth in the nation at college nationals, and Hickerson believes this year’s squad is capable of a top-three finish.
“We’re so proud of their hard work and dedication,” she said. “These athletes cheer at football, basketball, volleyball and more. They make community appearances and maintain strong grades—all because they love the sport and love each other. This team has become a deciding factor for students choosing Tech.”
Jeffrey Miller, director of bands at Tech, shared similar admiration for Simmons’ commitment.
“When Dean Jennifer Shank [who heads the College of Fine Arts at Tech] first approached me about Jace participating in both groups, my initial reaction was one of surprise,” Miller said. “Knowing how time-consuming both are, I thought there was no way it would work. But we reached an agreement and haven’t looked back. I’ve been so impressed by his ability to excel at both. I’m not sure from where he summons the energy!”
Miller noted that the increased excitement around football’s record-setting season brought new spirit and visibility to the marching band as well.
“We want to wish Coach Bobby Wilder, his staff and the team our hearty congratulations on a monumental season of Tennessee Tech football,” Miller added.
As for Simmons, he hopes to become a middle school band director and eventually open his own cheerleading gym—continuing the dual passions that have defined his life since grade school.
Tennessee Tech, he explains, was just the right place for him to nurture both talents.
“Tech is the perfect size,” he said. “You get individual attention, so many opportunities and people who feel like family in both cheer and band. I’d tell any student interested in the arts or athletics: you can absolutely do it here at Tech and be successful.”