Upper Iowa University's Vice President for Athletics Rick Hartzell announced that Bri Lawrence is stepping into the role as Head Cheer and Dance Coach. 

"We are excited to have Bri joining the staff as the Head Cheer and Dance Coach," said Hartzell. "Her experience and dedication over the last several years as a member of the UIU Cheer and Dance program will help her excel in this position." 

Lawrence spent the last two years as the team's student assistant, helping oversee the entire structure of the cheer and dance department. The Machesney, Ill. native was a cheer athlete in the program several years prior to being the student assistant. 

"I have been part of the cheer and dance teams here at Upper Iowa for the last four years and these teams have come to hold a very special place in my heart," said Lawrence. "I am very grateful that this team has had faith in me for so long. I am very excited for this upcoming season to be able to not only watch them grow as athletes, but also to see the growth in myself."

The cheer and dance programs at Upper Iowa are funded through the Diane Kinkead Harms Cheer Endowment. The late Diane Harms, UIU class of 1973, established the endowment with a gift of $1.65 million to ensure the longevity of the program with the goal of forming a cheer team that both competes regionally and nationally and plays a major role in Upper Iowa's gameday experience.

"I want to thank the teams for their hard work to accomplish more and more as we start this season together," noted Lawrence. "I also want to thank my family for supporting all my choices and my husband for being my biggest support system through all these changes and pushing me to do the best I can in everything I do."