NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – There's more to cheer about at Merrimack College.
The athletic department on Thursday announced the Merrimack cheerleading team will be elevated from a club sport to a varsity sport starting in the 2026-27 academic year.
"We're thrilled to officially welcome our cheer program as a varsity sport at Merrimack," athletic director Joe Foley said. "Our cheer student-athletes have been tremendous ambassadors for Merrimack and an important part of the game day experience on our campus. Elevating the program to varsity status reflects our commitment to providing them with the resources and opportunities to grow, compete and proudly represent Merrimack at the highest level."
The cheer program has energized the game day atmosphere at Merrimack while performing at all Warrior football games at Duane Stadium as well as the men's and women's basketball games at Lawler Arena. In addition to their performances on campus, the cheer team travels to the Metro Basketball Championships in Atlantic City and a national competition in Daytona, Fla.
The Warriors have had historical success in those regional competitions as they were named a 2025 NCA D1 Runner-Up and NCA D1 Intermediate & Game Day Finalists.
Rachel Donovan, a two-time Merrimack graduate who has led the cheer program since 2021, is set to enter her fifth year as head coach. Donovan earned her bachelor's degree in Human Development & Elementary Education from Merrimack in 2018 and her master's degree in Communication and Media Studies in 2024.
