Reed Between the Lines with GHS Cheer Coach Chatera Morris - Mountain Statesman

August 30, 2019 at 07:43AM

In this edition of Reed Between the Lines: Grafton Bearcats Cheerleading Coach Chatera Morris

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Chatera Morris. I have literally cheered all of my life and I've coached for four years now.

When did you start cheering?.

When I was around 7 years old, I cheered for Pop Warner.

Who is your favorite sports hero and why?

Pat Summit - Tennessee Volunteers women's basketball coach. I really loved her values and style of coaching.

What is the toughest part about being a head coach at the high school level?

Finding that balance between "friend" and "coach".

What is your favorite movie about sports?

Bring It On.

What is the most bizarre question you have ever been asked by someone about cheerleading?

"Is cheerleading a sport?"

What is your goal as the head coach?

I have so many, but my main goal is to make sure I do everything I can to help my athletes achieve their goals.

What are your best and worst memories in athletics?

My best memories are the friends I have made through the years, and my worst memory is probably the time we missed second place at regionals by just a few points.

What is one misconception that people have about cheerleaders?

That it's not difficult and all they do is cheer.

What do you say to people who say cheerleading isn't a sport?

Come to a week's worth of practices.

If you could be a successful professional coach or athlete in any sport, what would you choose and why?

Cheerleading for sure! I just love the atmosphere of the sport and the family that comes with it.

What one word or phrase do you think describes you?

Dedicated, I hope.

Give me one word or phrase to describe your mother, former head coach Crystal Morris.

Loyal and dedicated. One word isn't enough.

You get to spend the day with anyone (past or present), who do you choose and why?

My senior year cheer squad. That was by far my favorite year.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Still coaching GHS cheerleading.

What do you think you do well as coach?

Encourage and listen to my athletes.

What do you think you need to work on as coach?

TIME MANAGEMENT.

Where is your favorite away gymnasium to perform a routine?

East Fairmont High School.

Should kids today concentrate on a single sport or play multiple sports?

I encourage multiple sports, but I also believe you need to be dedicated to all sports that you choose to participate in.

What did you think of these questions?

I really liked them. Some of them were challenging for me but I'm okay with that.

*Each week the Mountain Statesman features a coach, player or personality from Taylor County. We hope you enjoy the chance to learn a little bit more about them.

In this edition of Reed Between the Lines: Grafton Bearcats Cheerleading Coach Chatera Morris

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Chatera Morris. I have literally cheered all of my life and I've coached for four years now.

When did you start cheering?.

When I was around 7 years old, I cheered for Pop Warner.

Who is your favorite sports hero and why?

Pat Summit - Tennessee Volunteers women's basketball coach. I really loved her values and style of coaching.

What is the toughest part about being a head coach at the high school level?

Finding that balance between "friend" and "coach".

What is your favorite movie about sports?

Bring It On.

What is the most bizarre question you have ever been asked by someone about cheerleading?

"Is cheerleading a sport?"

What is your goal as the head coach?

I have so many, but my main goal is to make sure I do everything I can to help my athletes achieve their goals.

What are your best and worst memories in athletics?

My best memories are the friends I have made through the years, and my worst memory is probably the time we missed second place at regionals by just a few points.

What is one misconception that people have about cheerleaders?

That it's not difficult and all they do is cheer.

What do you say to people who say cheerleading isn't a sport?

Come to a week's worth of practices.

If you could be a successful professional coach or athlete in any sport, what would you choose and why?

Cheerleading for sure! I just love the atmosphere of the sport and the family that comes with it.

What one word or phrase do you think describes you?

Dedicated, I hope.

Give me one word or phrase to describe your mother, former head coach Crystal Morris.

Loyal and dedicated. One word isn't enough.

You get to spend the day with anyone (past or present), who do you choose and why?

My senior year cheer squad. That was by far my favorite year.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Still coaching GHS cheerleading.

What do you think you do well as coach?

Encourage and listen to my athletes.

What do you think you need to work on as coach?

TIME MANAGEMENT.

Where is your favorite away gymnasium to perform a routine?

East Fairmont High School.

Should kids today concentrate on a single sport or play multiple sports?

I encourage multiple sports, but I also believe you need to be dedicated to all sports that you choose to participate in.

What did you think of these questions?

I really liked them. Some of them were challenging for me but I'm okay with that.

*Each week the Mountain Statesman features a coach, player or personality from Taylor County. We hope you enjoy the chance to learn a little bit more about them.

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