Bethune-Cookman University has hired LaToya Kemp as the new head coach for the Wildcats Cheer squad announced Wednesday afternoon. Kemp takes over the program after serving as head cheer coach at Miles College for the past 12 years.
"We are thrilled to welcome LaToya [Kemp] to Bethune-Cookman as our new head cheer coach," remarked Reggie Theus, Director of Athletics at Bethune-Cookman. "Coach Kemp brings tremendous energy, experience and a proven track record of success to our cheerleading program. Under her leadership, I'm confident our student-athletes will reach new heights."
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Kemp brings more than 25 years of experience with her to Daytona Beach.
Kemp, a five-year owner of an all-star gym, was a two-year letterwinner at Miles (2001-03) where she earned her bachelor’s degree in social work, while being a member of the Miles College Centennial graduating class of 2005. She was a two-time All-America cheerleader for the Bears, additionally being a three-time Black National Cheer Champion (2001-03). In the community as a collegiate student-athlete, Kemp served as an instructor for the HBCU Lead Cheer Champ for four years (2000-03).
In her time as head coach with Miles, she helped lead the Bears to the 2013 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Cheer Championship.
"I'm incredibly honored and excited for this opportunity to lead the cheer program at such a prestigious university as Bethune-Cookman," said Kemp. "The rich tradition, vibrant campus life and elite athletic programs make B-CU an ideal place to build a championship-caliber cheer team. I cannot wait to get to work with these tremendous student-athletes, and contribute to the rich legacy of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune.”
Other credentials for Kemp include 10 years as a camp instructor for Lead HBCU Cheer; 10 years as an all-star team coach with the Bama All-Stars; and three years as head coach of the Magic City Surge. She has also coached 20 all-star champions from the Bama All-Stars, as well as five individual champions with PB Elite All-Stars.
With a unique coaching style and leading teams to championships, Kemp hopes to continue Bethune-Cookman’s rise in the NCA Nationals scene over the last decade, after the Wildcats took seventh in the 2015 Small Coed Intermediate Division I Challenge Cup under former coaches John and Becky Woodson. Kemp aims to take the Wildcats to even greater heights through her innovative training methods, attention to detail and spirited leadership style.
