GREGG NIEMIEC
Spirit Coordinator / Head Cheerleading Coach

Gregg is entering his 14th year as the head cheerleading coach and spirit coordinator for the University of Iowa spirit squads. Supervising practice with the squads on a daily basis as well as coordination of the squads' various events are his primary responsibilities.

A 1993 graduate of Northern Illinois University, Gregg was assistant coach at Northwestern University for three years while also coaching at the high school and junior high level in the suburbs of Chicago. As a cheerleader at Northern Illinois, Gregg was a three-year captain of the squad and competed at nationals in the team and partner stunt divisions.

Gregg has also worked for Universal Cheerleaders Association for 14 years as a territory manager in the Midwest Region. UCA is the world leader in the spirit industry, including national competitions being covered by ESPN, worldwide camps, competitions and uniform sales and numerous sister companies covering all areas of the spirit industry. As a territory manager events and camps were set-up and administered, staffs were hired, trained and scheduled and coaches were kept up to date on all that was going on in the various states Gregg covered. Gregg has judged competitions at all levels including numerous state and national competitions.

Gregg was originally hired as Iowa's head cheerleading coach. Shortly after arriving at the UI, the Iowa Cheerleaders and Iowa Dance Team (known at the time as the Iowa Pom Pom squad) merged to create the Iowa Spirit Squads. The final piece of the Iowa Spirit Squads came into place when the daily duties of Herky the Hawk were officially assumed by the UI Athletics Department. As a model for other spirit squads around the country, the Iowa Spirit Squads run together as a group, as opposed to three different entities being run separately.

As a advocate for safety in the cheerleading industry, Gregg has been an AACCA safety certifier for the organization since its inception. AACCA guidelines have now officially been adopted by the NCAA and all of its member institutions.

In 2007, Gregg and his wife Jennifer started a youth cheerleading program in Iowa City, HAWK All-Stars, to help the youth in the area further their cheerleading skills. The first in the Iowa City area, HAWKS All-Stars helps to improve not only cheerleading skills, but fitness, body awareness and self esteem.

Gregg is married to Jennifer Niemiec, a graduate of Western Michigan, with a teaching degree received from the University of Iowa. They have two daughters, Emily (5) and Ashley (2). They reside in Iowa City.

JENNIFER EUSTICE
Head Dance Team Coach

Jenny Leuer is entering her first year as the head Dance Team coach for the University of Iowa Spirit Squads.

Jenny is a former Minnesota Vikings cheerleader and a Minnesota Swarm Performance Team member. She is a former Dancer (Captain) and assistant coach of the four-time UDA National Champion University of Minnesota Dance Team in Minneapolis. While at Minnesota, she earned a degree a Bachelors of Science degree in Nutrition, a 9-12 teaching license in Life Science Education, and a Masters of Life Science Education.

Jenny is also the UDA ESPN Dance Analyst for the National High School Dance Team Championship and formerly for the College Dance Championship. She is a member of the UDA Staff and has been a choreographer for Elite High school and college dance camp material for 8 years. As a member of V!ROC dance, Jenny has choreographed for nationally ranked college dance teams. Jenny has 15 years of studio training in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and modern at the Dance Shoppe in Plymouth, Minn. Her coaching background includes both high school and collegiate teams.

Jenny is married to Luke Eustice, a member of the staff for Iowa's wrestling program. They were married in August 2009.

VANESSA BEYER
Assistant Cheerleading Coach

Vanessa is entering her sixth year as a volunteer assistant coach for the Iowa Cheerleaders.

A squad member while attending the University of Iowa, Vanessa returned after graduation to help train the current Iowa cheerleaders. As a sales representative for Varsity, Vanessa travels around the area helping coaches purchase uniforms, campwear and other spirit items for their squads. Vanessa is also an avid fitness participant and teacher, participating in 24-hour fitness races around the Midwest and teaching others how to be physically fit.

She resides in North Liberty, Iowa.

JENNIFER NIEMIEC
Assistant Cheerleading Coach

Entering her 11th year as a volunteer assistant cheerleading coach, Jennifer Niemec's role is primarily behind the scenes.

A former five-year staff member for Universal Cheerleaders Association, Jennifer taught summer camps and helped run events all around the Midwest. A graduate from Western Michigan University, she received a teaching degree from the University of Iowa.

Jennifer is currently teaching second grade in the Iowa City Community School District. She is also the co-owner of HAWK All-Stars, a cheerleading gym in Iowa City. This is her third year running the programming and staffing for the All-Star team.

Jennifer is married to Gregg Niemiec. They have two daughters Emily (5) and Ashley (2). They reside in Iowa City.

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