Tennessee State University Women's Volleyball

Dwight N. Pope is a proud alumnus of Tennessee State University currently serving as the Spirit Coordinator for the Cheer and Dance programs. He is currently in his 27th season as the head coach for the cheerleading program and 10th season for dance in 2020-21. He is AACCA, NCSSE, USA Cheer, NCA Judge and Coach certified in the sport of cheer and dance.  He has judged national and international competitions for several major cheerleading and dance companies such as NCA, UCA, America's Best, Champion Cheer, Spirit Unlimited, WSF Cheer, JamFest, AmeriCheer & Dance and was selected as an alternate judge for World's just to name a few. Selected as Who’s Who of Cheerleading Coaches for the 2010 edition of American Cheerleader. During his tenure as the head coach for the Spirit programs, he has graduated over 210 young adults that are now corporate lawyers, airline pilots, school principals, entrepreneurs, and NFL/NBA cheerleaders for various teams. Coach Pope is the owner and founder of the Back2Basics Cheer Camps for high schools and middle schools here in the state of Tennessee. His Back2Basics Camp is one of two companies Metro Schools can only choose from the Board Of Education. He also serves on the board for the Alignment Nashville Partnerships for Summer Program Opportunities. He served as a panel judge for the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders and now trains several athletes for the NFL/NBA Cheerleading and Dance Arena. Other licenses and certifications include Cosmetology Instructor, Event Planner & Management, Production Assistant and Stage Director.

Vicmari Cockrill enters her 12th season on the Tennessee State University volleyball coaching staff, returning to the program in 2022 after previously serving as both a graduate assistant and assistant coach for the Tigers. A former standout student-athlete at Tennessee State University, Cockrill began her coaching career with TSU in 2011 as a graduate assistant before being elevated to assistant coach prior to the 2013 season, a role she held for seven seasons. Cockrill competed two seasons for the Tigers volleyball program, where she made an immediate impact offensively. She led the team in hitting percentage in both 2010 and 2011, finishing her senior season hitting .317—second-best in the Ohio Valley Conference. She totaled 228 kills that year, ranking third on the team while averaging 2.1 kills per set. After her playing career, Cockrill transitioned seamlessly into coaching at her alma mater, helping develop multiple all-conference performers and contributing to the program’s continued competitiveness. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Performance and Sport Science with a concentration in Exercise Science from Tennessee State University in 2011, and completed her Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Sport Administration from TSU in 2013. A native of Santurce, Puerto Rico, Cockrill brings deep program ties, international perspective, and extensive experience within TSU Volleyball to her coaching role.