Coach Melissa Kirkendall is entering her second year coaching the Highlander cheer program.  Kirkendall is a 2000 graduate of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA with over 20 years of experience in competitive gymnastics and cheerleading and 9 years of experience in competitive cheerleading choreography. 

Although Kirkendall began as a competitive gymnast (level 9), she "crossed over" into the world of cheerleading in high school cheering and competing for her school and all-star teams.  In college Kirkendall competed gymnastics for the VT club team and was part of the instructional and curriculum staff for ECA.

Following college and before coming to RU, coach Kirkendall has spent 7 years coaching and choreographing for middle school and  high school squads as well as all-star senior and open programs in Georgia and Virginia.   In addition to coaching at RU, Melissa also began and currently coordinates the Rockers All-Star program in Christainsburg, VA.  Since beginning 3 years ago, the Rockers have brought home 4 National Championship titles from various companies! 

Coach Kirkendall is married (husband Jeremy) and has a daughter (Annabelle-6).  The family lives in Christiansburg.  Annabelle is in the 1st grade at CPS and Jeremy is a student at Virginia Tech (currently on leave while he serves in Iraq).

Please feel free to contact coach with any questions about the program. 

Melissa Kirkendall

Head Cheerleading Coach

Radford University

rucheer@radford.edu

Last Updated 10/07