Lindsay Kohles has been hired to be the next cheer team coach at Indiana Wesleyan University.

"I'm really excited for the opportunity to work with these kids and to help mold and shape this program," said Kohles. "My heart is really about ministry so the opportunity to build relationships with members of the squad is just something I am really passionate about. I'm excited to invest in the lives of these student-athletes."

Kohles was a four-year member of the cheer team at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. While a student at Hardin Simmons, Kohles coached at Beamers, an all-star gym in Abilene for three years in addition to staffing for the National Cheerleading Association (NCA).

She later worked ministry for three years with Young Life. Kohles worked with this non-denominational organization by using relational ministries as outreach to high school kids.

Her last venture before coming to Indiana Wesleyan was a one year stint at Midway High School in Waco, Texas. Last year, her team earned second place in the Intermediate Co-ed Division at the NCA National Championships in Dallas, Texas.

Kohles' experiences will help her at Indiana Wesleyan as she moves the cheer team forward.

"I want these kids to compete and be a stronger force that is present on campus when it comes to spirit, but also a presence on the competition floor when it comes to competing nationally," said Kohles. "We will be present when it comes to games and be spirited and it will not be just about their own performance but it will be about getting the crowd involved, which is really their job at athletic events. We really want to involve students in spirit. It can change the attitude of campus."

Lindsay and her husband, Jimmy, came to Indiana Wesleyan in August. Jimmy is the Resident Director of the North Town Houses.