From Espn to Hutchinson

By Laci Sutton / Staff Writer

Hutchinson Community College has welcomed Alyssa Freeman as the new Blue Dragon Spirit Squad coach.

Freeman brings a great deal of experience to HutchCC, as both an athlete and a coach.

Freeman is originally from Midlothian, Texas. She came to Kansas to start her college career at Tabor College in Hillsboro, where she played basketball and cheered before transferring to Northwestern Oklahoma State University to cheer as well.

Freeman earned her bachelor’s degree in sports management from Cumberland University and a Master’s in Education with a focus on sports administration from East Central University.

In addition to her past as an athlete, she comes to HutchCC with four years worth of coaching experience.

She was an assistant intern coach at Cumberland University, and a head cheer coach at Tulane University and Oklahoma Panhandle State University.

Before Freeman started her time at HutchCC, she began an internship at ESPN. Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, her internship was cut short.

In her brief time with ESPN, she was still able to make the most of the experience.

“Talking with the broadcaster, Gus Kattengell, I was able to understand how fast pace and on your feet you have to be talking about professional teams and collegiate teams whether it’s about football, basketball, or other sports on topic that day,” Freeman said. “Media is so important to take in and understand, so being introduced to the quick, fast pace sports broadcasting environment while also maintaining professionalism in interviewing is definitely something I cannot wait to achieve in the long run.” 

As most coaches, Freeman has many goals for the team to work toward this year.

Some of these goals include overcoming adversity and challenges when fans are limited at Blue Dragon games, recruiting a strong class for the 2021 season, building a spirit family so everyone can feel welcomed and feel home away from home, and winning a competition to keep the momentum going from last year’s team.

“I will be building myself daily as a person and coach to help achieve these goals.” Freeman said. “We will be working constantly on communication with other schools and student athletes to help recruit and embrace the change and adversity to help build the confidence in my team to overcome the challenges that covid has brought.”

Freeman’s favorite part of coaching is the recruiting process.

“I love networking and continuously building relationships with coaches and student-athletes.” Freeman said. “I am always looking for strong leaders who are willing to learn new things as well as share their talents in the cheer/dance sport.”

There will be one more tryout session in March for the 2021-2022 season.

Freeman is looking forward to a great season despite the setbacks from the pandemic.

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