Meet Janaya Spivey, the head coach of the Mississippi Valley State University Cheerleading team, who is making waves in Itta Bena, Mississippi. Born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Spivey discovered her passion for cheerleading at a young age and has dedicated herself to the sport ever since.
“I have been a cheerleader since kindergarten,” said Spivey.
While cheering for her junior high team, her mother helped take her skills to the next level by enrolling her in tumbling classes. After graduating from Newton High School in Newton, Mississippi, Spivey chose to attend MVSU, where she initially pursued cheerleading and track and field. However, her love for cheerleading shone through, and during her freshman year, she decided to focus solely on cheer. Over the next four years, she became a staple of the Delta Devils cheer program, leading the team as lead captain from 2020 to 2021. She graduated in 2022 with a degree in Biology.
Cheerleader to Head Cheer Coach
In the summer of 2023, Spivey took on the challenge of becoming the head coach for the MVSU Cheerleading team. Although she was an experienced cheerleader, stepping into a coaching role presented new challenges. “I knew plenty about cheer but nothing about coaching, budgets, and paperwork,” Spivey explained. Fortunately, she found guidance and support from her former coaches and the athletic staff, which helped ease her transition into this leadership position.
Tumbling Over Hurdles
Spivey is no stranger to the obstacles faced by athletic programs. She recognizes the struggles of recruiting and retaining committed athletes, sometimes without the availability of scholarships or other incentives. Yet, she remains undeterred, driven by her mission to instill teamwork, discipline, and school spirit within her team.
A Proud Moment
One of Spivey’s proudest moments as a coach came on Senior Day when she watched her first set of seniors walk the field and then graduate. This milestone not only highlighted her impact on her athletes’ lives but also reinforced her commitment to their success beyond cheerleading.
Throughout her journey, Spivey has been inspired by her faith and often reflects on the powerful message from Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This mantra speaks to the greater purpose behind her work and the positive impact she aims to have on her athletes.
Looking Ahead
As a coach at an HBCU, Spivey embraces the diverse styles of cheerleading she’s encountered throughout her career, fostering an open-minded coaching philosophy that values each athlete’s unique contributions. Looking to the future, she is committed to elevating the cheerleading program at MVSU by enhancing resources and focusing on recruitment efforts to make it a standout feature of MVSU Athletics.
Spivey offers this invaluable advice to aspiring cheerleaders and coaches: “Always remember why you fell in love with your sport.” With her passion fueling her journey, Janaya Spivey will undoubtedly continue to inspire and uplift the next generation of cheerleaders at Mississippi Valley State University.