Most people think cheer coaches only live under the Friday night lights, but Coach Liz McKee knew that some of the most important work happened off the field. Whether it was calming nerves before a big competition or turning shaky stunts into soaring baskets, her job was more than just sideline cheers; it was about her work behind the scenes.
Coach McKee has been working as a lunch lady at Grant Community High School for three years and began coaching a year later. Although she started her journey as a cheer coach, she continued as a lunch lady during school hours. Along with that, balancing her work and her coaching very easily, saying that it all blends together well, as she’s a very hard worker and that shows through the drive and passion she puts into both the lunchroom and the competition floor. But most of all, she prioritizes her athlete’s well-being over everything. She admits that while coaching she likes to be challenging, but not in a way that brings her athletes down.
“I like to be tough in a way that builds them as a person, not just a cheerleader,” she recalls.
Communication is key for McKee, she believes it’s best to talk things out and to get what they’re feeling out on the floor. Above all, McKee hopes that her athletes always strive for the best. To some, it might seem that her coaching techniques are rough, but it all comes from tough love.
As seen in the way that she speaks to students, she has no problem with being friendly.
“Interacting with kids all day builds a good coaching dynamic,” McKee says in an interview, “Especially when I see some of the cheerleaders in my lunch lines. It gives me a perspective of who they are outside of practice.”
She bonds easily with her kids, so instead of it being weird when she sees them during working hours, she says it’s “exciting and fun”. Her favorite part about being a cheer coach is her athletes, seeing as how much she loves to bond with them from football games to team bondings. Even though she’s not a teacher like some of the coaches at Grant, she understands what it’s like to be a student-athlete through her daughter and believes firmly that they are students before athletes and that grades should always come before practice.
Her daughter, Kathleen McKee, is a Grant Varsity cheerleader and has been lucky enough to have her mom coaching beside her for almost all of her cheerleading career.
“She knows the dynamics and the best way to solve any problems,” she says, “It’s helpful to have her guidance on and off the mat, she’s able to understand any problems or fears I have.”
She admires her mom’s ideology because it emphasizes hard work, teamwork, and passion. McKee is an encouraging person both on and off the mat, as Kathleen says that her mother’s radiant attitude shines through even at home, not only keeping her children positive and motivated but reminding them that she is always by her side. But most of all, Kathleen says that the best thing about her mom being her coach is the fact that she’s constantly supporting her.
“She supports me and gives me guidance throughout school and cheer. It motivates me to work harder because she strives for me to do my best and to always push through any obstacles that come my way.”
Whether she’s serving lunch with a smile or pushing her athletes to be their best, Coach McKee’s enthusiasm goes beyond her dedication both in and outside of the gym. Her care for students is reflected throughout the day, as she continues to inspire, encourage, and lead by example.
