Messer Leaves Footprint on Boise State Spirit Squad
Former Boise State cheerleader leads Broncos to national championships.
By Dain Solberg
Kelsey Messer began her interest in cheer and dance when she started taking part in gymnastics at a young age in Enumclaw, Washington. At the age of 15, Messer chose to step away from the mats and wanted to begin a new chapter in her athletic career. Messer participated in cheer for two years in high school and was hooked.
She wasn’t just passionate about the sport but excelled at it, and she knew this was something she wanted to pursue in college. A 2015 Boise State graduate took a leap of faith after she came across an “open tryouts” section on the Boise State Athletics webpage.
“I was from a very small town so this was very exciting,” Messer said. “Fun fact, two kids on the current Bronco dance and cheer team are from my hometown. I didn’t do clinics, there was nothing, so I just showed up to tryouts. By the grace of God I made the team. My four years were a rollercoaster. Senior year was the end of both the Kellen Moore era and the end of coach Pete (Chris Petersen) era and I remember being in a dark room crying, and thinking this is terrible. But, my senior year, we won the Fiesta Bowl. The basketball team made the NCAA Tournament twice (2013, 2015) so it was the best of both worlds."
Following her senior year, Messer became an assistant coach for the cheer team and was promoted to head coach in 2019.
“I never thought being a head coach would be possible, because I’ve always had another career,” Messer reflected. “There is no way I would have gotten the head coach position if I wasn’t grinding as an assistant.”
DOUBLE LIFE
While coaching the Boise State dance team, Messer also had a full- time responsibility at Albertsons. “The key to managing two-different responsibilities is all about organizational management,” Messer said I knew that I had the obligation of both cheer and the grocery store. I was fortunate. I left early for away games, no other job let me do that. I believe growing up in Boise is the reason why I got my job, especially with the connections I made through cheerleading.”
Messer began her time at Boise State studying human resource management and general business. Following her time as a Bronco, she took her talents to Colorado State (Global) pursuing an online master’s degree in human resources.
“I graduated with my master’s right before I became a head coach,” Messer said. “I was volunteering as a coach, while going to school full-time. Luckily it was all online. This was just like growing up, you’d get up in the morning, go to school, get your homework done and doit all over again. This was no different than my time as a student-athlete."
STUDENT-ATHLETE EXPECTATIONS
Messer believes that her student-athletes should represent Boise State through leadership regardless if you are new to the team or a senior finishing up your collegiate cheerleading career.
“It is about life skills, managing emotion, nerves, learning how to be a leader,” Messer advised. "This is especially important when you are in front of a big crowd, backstage or getting ready for a national competition. Today I am a better person because of the Boise State spirit squad. As a student-athlete you don’t just represent Boise State and the university but also the state of Idaho. We are at everything, not just volleyball games or soccer games, but always around. You can be recognized waiting in line at Starbucks, it is all about how you react and present yourself in front of an audience.”
MAKING THE TEAM
Boise State University has open tryouts for the spirit squad where there are about 110 athletes, which includes returners trying out. Once athletes learn they have made the final roster, they will go directly into team meetings with the head coach.
“It is a super fast turnaround, we get going right away,” Messer explained. “The rookies especially get started fast with learning the routines from our senior leaders. During this time we will have the seniors and our captains help run our kids camp, while our rookies are in the studio with our coaches learning the routines and different beats.”
GAME DAYS AS A CHEERLEADER
Gameday at Albertsons Stadium is something special, especially on The Blue. The spirit squad spearheads all of the energy to boost the atmosphere of the student section and Bronco faithful.
“I’ve been to games at Nebraska and Michigan, those are exciting, but The Blue brings a different level of excitement. You can’t explain it unless you witness it,” Messer said.
Boise State has made a splash when it comes to hosting major events. Albertsons Stadium has hosted a slew of major concerts (including Garth Brooks and Luke Combs).
In 2023, the spirit squad traveled to the Mountain West Championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas when the Broncos defeated UNLV.
“I love college football and collegiate athletics, getting to cheer in one of the most exciting atmospheres in the entire industry was such a great experience,” Messer said. “When we played against UNLV last fall, we were directly by the band and just watching everybody celebrate and storm the field was one of the core memories that I have been a part of at Boise State.”
If you want to pour everything into this program, it will pour everything back into you. This will 1000% change your life and the trajectory that you will go on.-Kelsey Messer
OCEAN TRADITION
At nationals, it is traditional for the champion spirit squad to run into the ocean in Daytona Beach. The team won both the hip hop and jazz competitions.
“After winning jazz we were so hyped, we had just won. So, we did half jazz costume and still wore our hip hop pants and just ran in the ocean. I loved it,” Messer said. “The team was excited to learn we had surpassed Sam Houston after we were in second place entering the day."
WHY BOISE?
The atmosphere is one of a kind at Boise State, the goal of the spirit squad is also to win championships but being a part of big crowds is what it is all about. “We have the best of both worlds. You get to compete for a nationally-ranked cheer and dance program. Not many schools have both of those at such a high level.” Messer said.
She added, “If you want to pour everything into this program, it will pour everything back into you. This will 1000% change your life and the trajectory that you will go on. I’m sure you could say that about every program, but I know ours is the best, so I’m going to say it for us.”
MAKING MEMORIES
Messer’s favorite memory at Boise State is winning the Fiesta Bowl in 2014 and getting to be a part of the Bronco family. “It was truly a lifetime experience, some of the yellow jacket people at the Fiesta Bowl I still stay in contact with today. One of them has a picture of me holding his 11-month-old baby and I will always remember that.” Messer said.
Messer decided to get the Boise State “B” tattoo as a senior with six of her Mane Line teammates while they traveled to the Chick-fil-A Kickoff against Ole Miss in 2014.
“I decided to get a Boise State tattoo," Messer said. “Someone else got the state of Idaho. This turned into a tradition, my senior year I got the Mane Line tattoo after we won nationals. The only two tattoos I have are Boise State related.”
LEGACY
Messer stepped down as the head coach of the spirit squad after the national championships in Florida. The program has been set up for future success because of her leadership.
“I am most proud of leaving behind the program that I feel has gone in the right direction,” Messer said. “We have progressed, so I feel like the next coach will have a strong framework to build on for success. We created a program that has a family atmosphere. Some of these people will be your best friends and stay with you for the rest of your life.”
The next chapter for Messer is relocating to Florida, the state where she achieved one of her biggest goals as head coach. Even though she will no longer be residing in Boise, she leaves having left her mark on the cheer and dance program.
