Barnett joins athletics staff as head cheer and dance coach

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance College athletic department has filled the role of head cheer and dance coach by Defiance native Morgan Barnett effective at the beginning of April 2023.

After working several years in property management and real estate, Barnett took the reigns as a cheer instructor with Champion Force Athletics based in Bowling Green in August 2021. 

"We are excited to have Morgan join our staff," said DC's acting athletic director Megan Warren. "Morgan has the energy and enthusiasm to reinvigorate our cheer and dance team and provide those student-athletes with an exceptional experience. She has great connections within our community and experiences growing a program that will pay off here at DC. Morgan has already made a positive impact in our department and I can't wait to see that carry over to our cheer and dance team."

Under Morgan's stewardship, the Champion Force saw rapid, exponential growth from nearly 30 athletes to over 100 in Bowling Green which led to creating a new Defiance-based team with over 150 participants. Champion Force is a youth cheer program with certified and trained instructors to teach the fundamentals of cheer and dance that gives young athletes the ability to showcase their skills at competitions and events.

"I am very excited to fill this role as the head cheer and dance coach" said Barnett. "My goal is to grow our team in general and then get us to an active sideline team as well as form a competitive team. Our team has huge potential and once we stabilize a solid practice routine, we can start working on that competitive level!"

Barnett is a 2016 Tinora High School graduate. She will be continuing her education here at Defiance College focusing on sports management. She currently resides in Defiance with her partner Dakota and their 2.5-year-old son Jaxon. A fun fact about Coach Barnett is that she loves Biggby but does NOT like coffee.

-JACKETS-