Written by Destiny Henschel
In the 2019-2020 cheerleading season, Molly Maas exclaims her love and excitement for her team. Originally from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Maas came a far way from home to do what she loves. After graduating from Concordia University Chicago (CUC), Maas took a year to teach in Honduras, where she was actually given the opportunity to begin coaching basketball. After a year abroad, Maas moved to Massachusetts to teach but coached cheerleading at a local high school for a year and a half.
Maas was immediately thought of for the position of Head Cheerleading Coach at CUC due to her immense amount of kindness given to the team during her years of undergraduate schooling. And ever since she started coaching at CUC, Maas has felt like a more complete person.
Being an athlete her whole life, Maas mentioned how she has, “always had great coaches.” In every aspect of her life, she did not truly realize how important a coach can be. Even when Maas came to CUC and participated on the cheer team, her coach (Dirvelys Allen, the current Dance Team coach) taught her the significance she was able to make in an athlete’s life.
“Trying to share the love of Jesus Christ” was stated as Maas described her main reasoning for coaching. Because Maas graduated from CUC, she was literally in the shoes of her athletes and knows what they are going through. Being the best, but also one of the most difficult times of our lives, Maas mentions she wants to help, “cultivate that community, cultivate relationships, and see [her athletes] grow.” The rewarding part for Maas is not the physical recognition of the position but rather watching her team grow emotionally, physically, and mentally.
Walking into practice saying “hello sunshine’s” is one of Maas’ most recognized phrases. Whether her athletes are leaving for an event at 5:00 a.m., or the team begins practices at 6:00 p.m., Maas always maintains a great amount of positivity. Another fun Maas phrase includes some talk about how a stunt relates to physics. Being a high school physics teacher, Maas can always add some input on how physics is not only awesome but how it can also help the team function better.
All in all, Maas finished her interview stating that, “coaching has definitely taught me that the work you put in is not all for not and that it means so much more when you put in a year of hard work and see what comes out of that.” If you would like to contact Maas with any questions, the best way of contact includes her email address is Molly.Maas@CUChicago.edu.
