2014 Rutgers Spirit Program Awards and Alumni Honoree Banquet

The 104th Rutgers Spirit Program season came to an official close on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 as coaches, teams, parents, and alumni came together to celebrate.

We awarded our second Loyal Knight Award to Cierra Kaler-Jones of the dance team, we honored alum and coach, Sean Timmons, and Bruce Hornik and Eugene Geis were on hand to bestow an award from the CJ Liegel Foundation. to Marquis Johnson of the co-ed cheer team.

Cierra Kaler-Jones
2014 Loyal Knight Award

Marquis Johnson
2014 CJ Liegel Foundation Scholarship

Sean Timmons
2014 Alumni Honoree

Honoring Sean Timmons and the 2014 Senior Class

Honoring Sean Timmons this year was a bittersweet event as he's leaving us for a new opportunity in Nashville, Tennessee. But, even though this lifelong New Jersey resident is moving to the Volunteer state, he will forever be a Scarlet Knight.

Sean is a letterwinner from ... well, too far back to remember, and an outstanding coach. As a team member, he contributed to the continuing competitive success of the co-ed team, and as a coach, he has been instrumental in bringing the All Girl team to national prominence with their outstanding performances at the UCA College Cheerleading National Competitions. Sean was introduced by Jason Bass '01, while teammates Bruce Hornik '99 and Eugene Geiss '00 and one of his athletes, Katie Aleman '13, were all in attendance.

We also sent off the graduating seniors with a few tears, a few laughs, and much love. Like Sean, they will forever be Scarlet Knights. This year's graduating seniors were:

Emily Amador (Dance, 4th year)
Rachel Clark (Dance, 3rd year)
Amanda Cozze (All Girl Cheer, 4th year)
Jordan Drozjock (Co-ed Cheer, 4th year)
Hanna Factor (Co-ed/All Girl Cheer, 4th year)
Rachel Finkelstein (Dance, 4th year)
Elizabeth Gervais (Co-ed Cheer, 4th year)
Ahmed Gewiley-Elbakly (Mascot, 2nd year)
Emily Heinemann (Dance, 4th year)
Andrea Hoch (Dance, 4th year)
Marquis Johnson (Co-ed Cheer, 4th year)
Shatasia Knight (All Girl Cheer, 5th year)
Jillian Laga (Dance, 3rd year)
Jennifer Pagliei (All Girl Cheer, 4th year)
Nathan Spare (Co-ed Cheer, 2nd year)
Karen Van (Co-ed Cheer, 4th year)
Dominic Vignali (Co-ed Cheer, 4th year)
Alicia Zerillo (All Girl Cheer, 4th year)

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2014 Spirit Program Seniors are presented with their awards, many of which were for four years of participation.

Katie Aleman '13 was on hand to congratulate former teammates and to honor her coach, Sean Timmons. Pictured here with Katie is Sean's girlfriend, Paige Colon.