Wichita State Athletics

The drive and determination of Wichita State Athletics new Head Cheer Coach Shalayne Richmond is not to go unnoticed. A Shocker cheerleader from 2005-2007, Richmond looks to restore the program to its former glory by rebuilding a large coed cheer team, revitalizing alumni relations and bringing back forgotten game day traditions. 

"I really want my time to rebuild and refocus some of our directions," Richmond said. "Wichita state has always had the potential to be great, and it always has been great, but I want to take it to that next level. I want to make it one of the powerhouses in the nation. But I am also very very self-aware in when it's greed and no longer just a want but a need for our lives."

Richmond recalls her time at UCA College Nationals and how amazing it was to be seen and appreciated as a highly recognized program in Daytona. She recognizes the importance of collegiate cheer, its traditions in Shocker Nation and the foundation it brings to students. She looks to create the same atmosphere for her athletes. 

"I look at cheer as being a science," Richmond said. "How you get a person up and down safely is quite literally physics. It's a science and we've got to do it creatively and different. We have to be innovators. 
"That's the beautiful thing about cheerleading is we get to be creative, and let our minds open, and put it out there on the floor."

A unique perspective that Richmond brings to the program is an understanding of both the athletic and business side of coaching. 

With her degree in Sport Management and former collegiate cheer experiences, Richmond sees game days as a production. She understands the ability and need to create a game atmosphere, control the crowd, assisting marketing promotions, entertainment and the ambiance of the game. 

Richmond said she understands the needs of the program and feels that it is her time to bring in the resources that Shocker Cheer needs.

Richmond's coaching career first began as a student completing her practicum and internship in the Sport Management program. She said that WSU is where her coaching career and passion sparked.

This career carried her forward to Coffeyville Community College, McPherson College, Hutchinson Community College, Wellington High school and Simply Elite All-Stars in Wellington as Head Cheer Coach.

Several of her honors and awards include second place at KCAC Conference Championship, sixth place at UCA Nationals and multiple Superior and Excellent rating at UCA Camp.

Outside of the cheer realm, Richmond has built a successful full-time business. She is the owner and independent contractor of Well Whole Massage and Wellness in Wellington, KS. This has provided her with a flexible schedule to accommodate to the needs of the Shocker Cheerleading program. 

She has one son Ezra Tracey who is 9. They are two peas in pod.

"People are going to see him around. We are really close and he comes along with me on everything." Ezra aspires to be an engineer.