New Coach, New Squad

photo: Jason Silvernale

For the last three year Montana Tech’s Cheerleading squad has been under the leadership of Cristie Hess who left the position this summer. Joe McClafferty, Tech’s athletic director, found the girls an experienced new coach.



Brittney Smith is Montana Tech’s new cheerleading coach and has a strong background in cheerleading. She began cheering at age five and participated in gymnastics. Her freshman year she moved to Anchorage, Alaska and joined the varsity cheerleading squad. Brittney moved to Eureka, Montana for her Sophomore and Junior years of high school where her sister started up the cheerleading squad for football and basketball. For her Senior year she moved back to Anchorage, Alaska and finished high school there. 


Brittney moved to Butte at the end May with her boyfriend and six month old son, not knowing if she would find any cheerleading work in the area. Brittney has big plans for the squad but the first thing on her list is to get the girls on the squad scholarships. 


“Eventually I would like to work up to a competitive squad, but the first thing is to get it so that the squad is respected by the student body” said Brittney regarding her long term plans for the squad. 


Yes, that is long term, Brittney doesn’t plan on going anywhere. “I can see a long road of coaching here!”


Brittney is very driven when it comes to cheerleading and getting coach. She really knows what she is doing and loves getting to watch the squad grow and learn and strive to be better. “It’s one of the best things in the world to watch the girls grow” says Brittney.


Tryouts for Basketball season will be held at the end of September so keep an eye out for the dates.