Jaguar Athlete of the Week Rashad Murphy

Rashad Murphy is a 21-year-old Junior psychology major from Atlanta, Georgia. He is a member of the Southern University Co-ed Cheer team. Murphy has been a member for the past two years. He is also a Fall 2016 initiate of the Beta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Incorporated. Murphy’s cheering career began during his senior year at Rockdale County High School. Having previously played other sports throughout his matriculation in High School, including wrestling and football, he decided to pick up a megaphone and give cheer a try after watching the movie “Fired Up”. After various camps and clinics, Murphy knew that this would be the sport for him. In the fall of 2012, The Southern University Cheer Team visited Atlanta, Georgia after the playing against Florida A&M University for The 100 Black Men football game. During the game, Rashad admired the style of the SU squad and asked the head coach, who later became a father figure to him, what he had to do to join the team.
“I started working on a series of skills like backhand springs and tucks. You know, the whole point was to impress him when I got here. I was destined to make this team,” explained the Atlanta native.
In the spring of 2013, Murphy made the Southern University Co-ed cheer team for the 2013-2014 season. He began attending the University the following Fall Semester. Despite the negative and stereotypes that come with being a male cheerleader, Murphy does not let comments and opinions deter him from doing his job and enjoyment while cheering for SU.
“My favorite part about cheering for Southern University is getting to meet new people. It’s nice to be a part of something that people care about, and that can uplift people’s spirits.”
Murphy is known for his infamous tumble sequence of a front walk over round off to a backhand spring whip through to a layout step out. Aside from taking joy in the physical aspect of cheering, Murphy enjoys Interacting with fans and his teammates. He accredits his fellow teammate Latina for serving as his daily motivation.
“She embodies the concept of hard work, dedication and that when you love something you’ll work hard to move up in anything and everything you do, “explained Murphy.
Murphy plans on continuing towards retaining his degree in psychology. But for now, you can catch him on Saturday afternoons shouting “Move it On Down the Field “as the Southern University Football Team competes.