Cheerleading
Coaches
Head Coach: Katie Pucci-Schaefer
Former Fredonia State cheerleader Katie Pucci-Schaefer is entering her 10th year coaching the Fredonia State Blue Devil cheerleaders. She has led the team to a fifth-place finish at the Universal Cheerleading Association College Championships in January 2008. Performing two flawless routines in the All Girl II division, the Blue Devils competed on par with a majority of NCAA Division II schools. In past seasons, the team has placed ninth at the UCA College Championships and third at the Universal Spirit Association in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Under her direction, the Fredonia State cheerleaders perform at men's home basketball games, at the freshman convocation, assist at freshman move-in day, perform at the annual Homecoming assembly, and make appearances at soccer games. Pucci-Schaefer runs the Fredonia State Blue Devils Cheerleading and Dance Competition, an annual event each January which attracts approximately 100 high school and youth teams. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Pucci-Schaefer also runs a cheerleading camp each year. The campers learn routines they later perform at Fredonia State events.
Raised in Dunkirk-Fredonia, Pucci-Schaefer is a 1993 graduate of Fredonia State. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in education. She has worked as an elementary and high school teacher and coached cheerleaders at Dunkirk and Fredonia high schools before returning to Fredonia State. She also teaches gymnastics and coaches several youth teams at the Danza Performing Arts Academy in Fredonia.
Pucci-Schaefer and her husband, Todd, have four young daughters.