DANVILLE, Ky. – After an extensive search, Centre College has announced the hiring of Samantha Alongi as its new head cheerleading coach.
 
"I am honored and incredibly excited to join the Centre community and this young and promising program," said Alongi. "There's a solid foundation already in place, and I'm looking forward to building upon that with passion, dedication, and a vision for growth. I am eager to work with the athletes and continue the program's tradition of success, both academically and athletically."
 
Alongi comes to Centre following a successful tenure coaching cheerleading at Willow Spring High School in Fuquay-Varina, N.C., where she built the program from the ground up for the new school starting in 2021.
 
While at Willow Springs, Alongi won the NCCCA State Championships in 2023 in the JV Small and Varsity Medium divisions and helped create new traditions for both gameday experience and community involvement.
 
"I am pleased to welcome Samantha Alongi to the Centre College Athletics family," said Brad Fields '98, Director of Athletics and Recreation at Centre College. "We conducted a lengthy and thorough national search process, and Samantha emerged as the right person to lead our young program into the future. Samantha has significant experience coaching and teaching in the sport, she brings positivity about Centre Cheer's future, and she will provide accountability and growth for our team.  I believe the best days of Centre Cheer are definitely ahead under Samantha's leadership." 
 
In addition to her most recent stint at Willow Springs, Alongi has been involved with multiple cheerleading organizations, including as the owner of Triple Crown Cheer from 2014-18, where she coached multiple teams with US Finals and Cheer Super National titles. Alongi grew the Triple Crown program from 58 athletes to 145 in four years.
 
After 2018, Triple Crown Cheer merged with Bullitt Athletics and Alongi became the Program Director there for two more seasons, growing the youth program from two teams to nine.
 
Alongi earned a business administration degree from Drury University in Missouri and later earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in management from Missouri State University.