May 27, 2008

www.siusalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois announces Neva Corn as the Salukis' new Cheerleading and Mascot Coach, replacing Maggie Mitchell.

"We are excited to welcome Neva to the Saluki Athletics' family," said Mark Gazdik, Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing. "She brings a wealth of successful coaching experience to our cheer and mascot program. Her active involvement as a leader in cheerleading will be a great asset as we continue to build our spirit program."

Corn has been the head cheerleading coach at Pinckneyville Community High School for the last 27 years. During her time at Pinckneyville, the Panthers placed numerous times in the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association Championships and the Illinois State Fair Competitions. The Panthers placed second for Class A in the IHSA State Competitive Cheer Competition in 2007 and were state qualifiers in 2008.

In addition to her coaching duties, Corn serves as an AACCA Safety Certifier, as well as co-president, technical judge and competition coordinator for the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association.

Corn also serves as a Spirit Rules Interpreter and Certified Competitive Cheer Official for the Illinois High School Association and is the State Director for the Spirit Coaches Education Program as part of the National Federation of State High School Associations for Spirit.

Prior to her stint at Pinckneyville, she served as cheerleading coach at Centralia High School (three years) and East Richland High School (two years).