For Brooke Blaszczyk, being part of the Eastern Michigan University cheerleading team wasn’t just about stunts, sidelines or spirit; it was about family.
Over the past four years, the Ypsilanti native has grown personally and professionally through her time on the EMU cheer team.
“Meeting new people, making lifelong friends and just being part of a team that has the same goal is so rewarding,” Blaszczyk said.
However, her final season as a senior had the most lasting impact, not just on her but also on her teammates.
The 2024–25 season didn’t come without its challenges. EMU Cheer experienced early struggles with the coaching transitions, which made it difficult for the team to find stability. Despite the rocky start, the group came together stronger than ever, and Blaszczyk played a key role in that journey.
In 2024, the cheer team received a silver-paid bid to the NCA Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida, a significant and hard-earned milestone for the program. A bid is essentially an invitation to compete at the prestigious national championship, and a “silver-paid” bid means that a portion of the team’s registration fees are covered due to their strong performance at a qualifying event.
However, despite earning the opportunity to compete on the national stage, not all members had the proper uniforms or the financial means to cover travel and remaining expenses. Wanting to ensure no teammate was left behind, Blaszczyk took it upon herself to apply for a $2,500 grant through her workplace, Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Advisors.
“For this grant request, it could’ve been any organization of my choice,” Blaszczyk said. “Based on the year we were having and the rough start to my senior year, I knew I wanted to do something for my team. They have given me so much — it was the least I could do to leave my legacy.”
With the funds awarded, Blaszczyk got to work. She collaborated with athletics staff and EMU Dance Coach Tori Schuetz to design new uniforms that were simple, collegiate and professional. All the while, she kept the surprise under wraps.
“Keeping it a secret for six months was definitely one of the harder things I’ve had to do,” Blaszczyk said. “But the look on their faces when they got them … I’ll never forget that.”
The uniforms arrived just in time for one of the most successful showings in recent program history. From April 10–12, 2025, EMU Cheer took the stage at the Nationals, competing in the Intermediate Small Coed Division IA. The Eagles delivered two clean, high-energy routines and earned a seventh-place national finish with a final score of 90.9051 — an impressive leap from last year’s 13th-place result. They also placed second among the three Mid-American Conference schools, finishing ahead of the University at Buffalo.
Blaszczyk said collaborating with her workplace, Yeo & Yeo, was an incredible experience.
“Their support has been so appreciated,” Blaszczyk said.
As her time at EMU comes to a close, Blaszczyk hopes her story inspires others to give back in whatever way they can.
“Being part of a team means going above and beyond for your teammates at times,” Blaszczyk said. “If you have the chance to do so, I highly recommend it. The look on their faces is so worth it.”
With a heart full of gratitude and a legacy stitched into every uniform, Brooke Blaszczyk proved that authentic leadership doesn’t need a spotlight — it just needs heart.
Elena Davis, author of this article and Sports Editor at The Eastern Echo, is a member of the Eastern Michigan University cheerleading team and has been part of the program for the past four years.
