Saint Louis Spirit Team 

Spirit Team Photo Gallery

Head Coach Casey Faye Mills

As an undergrad Casey Faye Mills earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education with a minor in dance from Southern Illinois University of Carbondale. She has completed her special education certificate and is currently in graduate school for special education. At SIU, she was a member of the Saluki Shaker Dance Team all four years and was the captain for three years. After graduation, she was asked to join the SIU cheerleading coaching staff where she developed her love for college level coaching. She has coached at a variety of levels from middle school dance and cheer teams to state qualifying high school dance teams. She has competed nationally seven times and coached a nationally ranked dance team and four state ranked dance teams. At 15, she opened and ran her own cheer and dance studio for 12 years. Currently, she works in O'Fallon, Ill., as a special education teacher for students with emotional disturbances.

Mills' life motto: "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."

Professional Certifications:
Bachelor's in Elementary Education
Special Education LBS1
AACCA - 10 years

Assistant Coach Laura Polt

Laura Polt , a native of Florissant, began dancing at the age of five years old.  She has been trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and modern. She became a member of her high school dance team the McCluer North Starline for four consecutive years. While dancing for Starline, Laura was nominated and named a Universal Dance Association All-Star both her Junior and Senior year of high school.  After graduating high school, Laura went on to dance for Saint Louis University Billiken dance team from 2001-2005. While at SLU she received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and graduated with cum laude honors. Laura captained the Billiken dance team for the 2004-2005 season. Laura has also spent time as a NFL cheerleader for the St. Louis Rams. She served three consecutive seasons with the Rams cheerleaders. Currently, Laura dances with the newly established Ashleyliane Dance Company and balances both her dance and coaching career with her full time career as a registered nurse specializing in Oncology and Hematology medicine.

 

Assistant Coach Katie Lordo

Katie Lordo has been dancing for over 15 years. As a Senior at Ursuline Academy, she created the extracurricular pom squad, which she became captain of.  Katie then continued dancing at Saint Louis University for all four years, becoming captain her senior year.  After graduating from Saint Louis University with a bachelor's degree in marketing, she moved to Chicago to pursue a career in sales with Careerbuilder.com.  After two years of success, she recently moved back to St. Louis to spend more time with her family.   

 

 

 

SLU Spirit Teams Most Asked Questions

Team Size:
All Girl Cheer and Dance Team = 14-20

Q: Are we a sport at SLU?
A: All Spirit Teams are part of the SLU Athletic Department!

Q:Are there any scholarships
A: Yes, the whole team!

Q: Do you compete?
A: No, not at this time.

Are there any financial obligations?
A: Yes.

Q: When are practices?
A: May-July - One night a week from 5-8. August-October - Two nights a week from 5-8 or 6-9. November - March - Three nights a week from 5-8 or 6-9

Q: Do old members have to tryout each year?
A: YES! No one keeps his or her spot from year to year!

Q: What are the requirements?
A: A combination of dance, leaps, tumbling, chants, and interview. 

Q: Do you have to stay around for SLU college Breaks?
A: YES! All men and women's basketball games, Atlantic 10 Conference Tournaments and other SLU public relations appearances are required even during SLU College Breaks. This is a requirement for all SLU Athletics!

Q: Can I be a Rams Cheerleader or Cardinals Girl and still do SLU Cheer or Dance Team?
A: Ram Cheerleader - No, a lot of conflicts arise throughout the year between their schedule and ours. Cards Girl -Yes! However, after SLU starts our team comes first.