By Ann Brown | blackenterprise.com
Their return alone marked a major milestone, but their performance elevated the moment into a historic breakthrough.
Miles College has made history with a victory at a national cheerleading competition.
The Golden Bears cheer team captured both the Overall Grand Champion title and the College Coed Game Time Championship at the CCA Christian Cheer Nationals & Collegiate Championship on March 7 in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Miles College, located in Fairfield, became the first Historically Black College or University to earn both titles at the competition. The Golden Bears were just the second HBCU cheer team to compete at CCA nationals.
The team had not competed on a national stage in more than 20 years. Their return alone marked a major milestone, but their performance elevated the moment into a historic breakthrough.
The journey to nationals was far from easy. Funding was a major hurdle, and initially, the trip wasn’t considered financially feasible. Head coach Le’Andrea Anderson-Tolbert stepped in and covered registration costs. From there, the team rallied support, raising more than $10,000 through community donations, family contributions, and grassroots efforts, HBCU Gameday reports.
Limited access to proper facilities forced the team to adapt. They sometimes practiced routines without full stunts or rehearsed in unconventional spaces. Yet the Golden Bears overcame the challenges and represented smaller HBCUs on a national level.
“This whole competition season… was about what we’re doing for our community and showcasing what smaller HBCUs can bring,” Anderson-Tolbert shared, according to AL.com.
When the team finally took the stage, the members delivered a high-energy routine that blended precision, spirit, and the signature performance style deeply rooted in HBCU cheer culture. Their execution and presence quickly set them apart from the competition.
The Golden Bears’ victory is being hailed as a defining moment, not only for Miles College but for HBCU cheer programs across the country.
