RECENT NEWS
Casagrande named Head Cheer and Dance Coach
05/20/2009
GREAT FALLS, Mont., May 20, 2009 — University of Great Falls athletic director Jim Hall has announced the hiring of Ginger Casagrande as the next Cheer and Dance coach for the Argonauts. Casagrande is originally from Great Falls. She attended high school at Cibola High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but has lived in Great Falls for the last nine years since graduating from Montana State University with a degree in sports medicine in 1999. Casagrande has been coaching the Charles M. Russell High School dance team for the past eight years.
“Obviously we are thrilled to find someone of Ginger’s caliber right here in our own back yard,” commented athletic director Jim Hall.”We had a pool of outstanding applicants from all around the country. After her interview, it was clear to everyone that Ginger was that right person to lead our expanding spirit programs.”
During her time with the Rustlers, her teams have become widely recognized in Montana for their performances. Four consecutive years her teams captured 1st place in their classification at the Bobcat Open dance team competition from 2002-2005. In 2005, her squad also won the overall crown at the same event. Additionally, the Rustlers also qualified for the United Dance Association and National Dance Association national championships on six different occasions while being ranked nationally.
Casagrande and her dancers have also won multiple individual honors as well. During each year of her tenure at CMR, her seniors have qualified for All-American status and earned spots on all-star performance squads. Casagrande has also won awards for her innovative choreography. She has been a two time judge for the Big Sky State Games Dance Sport and is currently scheduled to speak at the Montana High School Association’s Annual Conference this summer.
“Ginger brings a tremendous energy and a ton of great ideas for energizing the atmosphere at our home athletic events,” noted Hall. “She’ll also do a great job of not only building our teams and leading them to competitive success, but making sure that her athletes excel in the classroom as well.”
“I am so excited to take the next step in my professional career,” noted Casagrande. “The University of Great Falls is a prestigious university and I am thrilled to be a part of helping build the future of the athletic program. I was extremely impressed on my interview with all of the renovations to the campus facilities, the growth within the athletic department and all of the people I met. I can really sense that there is a huge positive momentum there that I want to be a part of.”
Casagrande who will officially begin her duties on June 1st has already begun to make the transition. “I have a lot of work to do to get ready for the fall,” stated Casagrande. “I want our spirit programs to be outstanding. UGF is a great place. Hopefully, my teams can help make it even better.”
UGF Cheer Team Members help Great Falls Storm take first at Nationals
03/25/2009
GREAT FALLS, Mont., March 25, 2009 —Two members of the University of Great Falls Cheer Team competed recently with the Great Falls Storm cheer and stunt squad that captured first place at the United Spirit Association national competition in Anaheim, California.
This is the third year for the Great Falls Storm where they have competed in the senior stunt, junior stunt and senior open routines. In their first two years of competition, they placed third at the national level.
The Great Falls Storm senior stunt team is comprised of five girls who took first place in their category and were the only Montana team that competed at this prestigious event.
Toni Malek, a sophomore from Missoula, Montana and Lizzie Gold, a sophomore from Great Falls, MT are also members of the University of Great Falls Cheer and Dance squad this season."This was my first year (with the Great Falls Storm) of going to the national tournament and we did better than most first year teams do. I am really proud of our team," said Malek."It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had," said Gold. "We have a great team and an excellent chance of competing (at nationals) again next year."
The Great Falls Storm has taken first place in numerous state and regional tournaments this year.
Argos add Track and Field plus Dance to Sport Lineup for Fall 2009
1 / 5 / 2009
University of Great Falls athletic director, Jim Hall, has announced that the athletic department will add a dance team as well as expand the cross country program to include full track and field for the fall 2009 seasons. The additions mark the continuation of recent sport additions to the Argo athletic department.
The dance program will be lead by head cheerleading coach Becky Acra and will perform at Argo athletic events and other university functions. Additional outside opportunities will allow the dance team to compete against other schools from around the region. The team will practice and compete at the university's McLaughlin Center. Scholarships for the dance program are available.
The track and field program will be an expansion of the existing cross country program that will move the team to a full fledged track and field program. Currently, the spring track portion of the program's season involves the distance events. The expansion will open up the opportunity for student athletes to compete in the sprints, jumps, and throwing events as well. The team plans to compete in several spring meets each year, including NCAA division I events. All athletes will have the opportunity to qualify for the NAIA national meet by reaching national qualifying standards throughout the year. Athletic scholarships for track and field will be offered.
"The addition of these two new programs will strengthen our department and provide many more opportunities for athletes from Montana and the Pacific Northwest to compete in these programs," noted athletic director Jim hall. "We will have the only NAIA track and field program in Montana. That is important as we continue to value giving local athletes the chance to continue their career close to home. The dance program will help round out our sport offerings and improve the atmosphere at our home sporting events."
Recruiting for both programs has already begun. Interested student athletes should contact each program's coach as soon as possible to discuss interest and scholarship opportunities. Dance - Jim Hall, 791-5926 or email to jhall01@ugf.edu / Track and Field - Jim Brewer 360-303-1939 or email to jbrewer02@ugf.edu