SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University’s growing dance and cheer programs have a new leader. On Tuesday (July 26) the athletic department announced the appointment of Miranda “Mandi” Maser as Head Dance and Cheer Coach. Maser has lent her services as a choreographer and dance instructor in the private dance studio environment since 1995.
Also a veteran choreographer of competition routines, Maser, a native of Big Springs, Neb., jumped at the chance to become a collegiate head coach. She will also assume the role of Athletic Business Coordinator at Concordia. Her first official day at Concordia will be Aug. 1.
“Accepting the position with Concordia University as the Head Dance and Cheer Coach is an honor,” Maser said. “Having dedicated my life to dance and cheerleading, I see the opportunity to bring that experience and drive for success to the collegiate level as thrilling. The welcoming support given by the athletic department, fellow coaches, staff and President (Brian) Friedrich has been astounding. I am grateful for the opportunity and I am appreciative of the confidence they have that I’ll continue the excellence of the programs and the mission of CUNE.”
Maser, who owns United States All-Star Federation (USASF) credentialing for levels one and two tumbling and stunting as well as membership in the Federation, has held several roles related to dance and cheer instruction. As artistic director at Pure Movement Dance Institute in Lincoln, Maser helped grow participation from 50 students to approximately 400. While continuing to teach in the studio, she independently contracted additional choreography opportunities in the Lincoln Public Schools system, the Lincoln Community Playhouse, the TADA Theatre as well as additional high schools in central Nebraska. She has choreographed approximately 38 sold out musicals, many of which were regional premieres.
In addition, Maser served as adjunct professor for a fellow GPAC school for four years, instructing dance, specifically, jazz, modern, improvisation, creative movement and tap through the athletic program. She has also choreographed competition routines for local, state and national competitions for teams at Lincoln Public Schools, Crete High School and for high schools in Colorado and Iowa. Since November 2014, Maser has also worked as office services manager for the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources.
Maser holds a bachelor of fine arts in dance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Mandi and her husband Nick have an eight-year-old son Sam.
Concordia sponsors 21 athletic programs including competitive dance and competitive cheer, which are both varsity athletic scholarship teams. The programs host and travel to competitions while appearing at a number of home and away events which foster a first class student-athlete and fan experience for the Bulldogs.
In April the NAIA announced Competitive Cheer & Dance as the 24th and 25th National Championships in the history of the Association. In order to gain national championship status, a sport must be sponsored by a minimum of 40 varsity institutions, completed at least two national invitationals and approved by the National Administrative Council. There are 67 NAIA institutions that declared their intent to participate in competitive cheer & dance postseason in 2016-17. The 2017 National Championship is scheduled for March 10-11 with the site to be announced at a later date. In February 2016 the GPAC hosted a conference cheer and dance invitational for the third-straight year.
More from Mandi Maser
Concordia University is an amazing place. Connecting with the athletes and being a part of their journey through college and beyond is a blessing. Being able to foster their talents through cheer and dance while they are experiencing excellence in the classroom within a Christ-centered community is a dream come true.
Statement from Devin Smith, Director of Athletics
Mandi will bring new energy and heightened levels of competitive leadership experience in dance and cheer. She demonstrates the ability to direct each of our functions in a manner that aligns with the mission and vision of our university and athletic department. We are very blessed to add her to our staff and we are excited about the future of our student-athletes who will have an opportunity to vie for GPAC and NAIA National Championships in both of these Bulldog sports.