Transylvania University Women's Cheerleading

Clarissa Johnson is in her third season as head coach of the Transylvania cheerleading team in the 2023-24 season. Johnson joins the Pioneers from Tates Creek High School in Lexington where she served as the head Cheer coach since 2017. Johnson brings an extensive coaching background to her newest head coaching role, having worked locally with several teams and organizations spanning a range of age groups. “My vision for the Transy Cheer program is to recruit talented cheerleaders, provide guidance and support to them, and compete every year at NCA Cheer Nationals against other top teams,” says Johnson of her program. “Clarissa Johnson brings a passion for both the sport and ensuring the success of her squad on and off the mat,” adds Leigh Oakley, former Transylvania Assistant Athletic Director of Johnson’s addition. Johnson has coached cheerleading for over ten years, previously serving in roles as the head cheer coach at Crawford Middle School in Lexington, the Director and Coach of the Warhorses Arena Football cheerleading team, the Open Dance Team and Charity Events in Lexington, and the Lady Legends Dance Team. Prior to beginning her coaching career, Johnson was a cheerleader and dancer for the Lexington Horsemen Arena Football Team. Johnson's additional coaching ventures include as a Senior Staff Instructor for Cheer Limited Inc. in Fayetteville, North Carolina, working as a cheer camp instructor, and as a choreographer and certified cheer judge. Johnson is a member of USA Cheer. Johnson graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelors in Kinesiology and Exercise Science  She and her husband Avery have two sons and reside in Lexington.

Tora Carter is in her nineteenth season at Transylvania. Carter is a 2004 graduate of the University of Kentucky and a former member of the UK Wildcat Danzers. Carter has previously performed as a member of the Pep Club Lady Legends, the Lexington Horsemen Fillies, the Louisville Fire Cheerleaders, the Lexington Legends Dugout Danzers, and the Kentucky Thoroughblades Thoroughbabes. She spent two years serving as a dance instructor for the Lexington Parks and Recreation Department before serving as program director of Showtime Spirit and Legacy Allsports. Tora is a nationally renowned dance instructor, choreographer, judge and consultant. Currently Tora works with many local and regional cheer and dance teams. Under the leadership of Carter, Transylvania added competitive cheerleading and dance to its intercollegiate sports lineup at the start of the 2012-13 season. The teams compete yearly at the National Cheerleading Associate and National Dance Alliance and Dance Team Union summer camps & collegiate championships. Carter is a member of the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches & Advisors and is a Certified Dance Director through the National Dance Alliance. Tora and her husband BJ have two daughters and reside in Lexington.