OTTAWA, Kan. – Ottawa University Director of Athletics, Arabie Conner, is pleased to announce the hiring of Shayla Siebenthall as Director of Cheer, Stunt, and Dance.
"Coach Siebenthall's return to OU to take on this leadership role brings incredible experience, knowledge and proven leadership to our program," said Conner. "Her many coaching accolades and track record for success combined by such a strong commitment to our program and institution speaks for itself. Most importantly, she knows how to create an outstanding team culture and collegiate experience for our student-athletes. I can't wait to see what the future holds for these programs under her leadership and these organizational changes."
In her role as director of cheer, stunt, and dance, Siebenthall will be responsible for managing all administrative aspects of the programs including the development of OU's new STUNT program. She will supervise and lead the coaching staff including the immediate hiring of two open positions including a head stunt and cheer coach, and head dance coach. Siebenthall will also lead the recruiting process of prospective student athletes for cheer, dance, and stunt.
"I'm excited to be back working with the cheer and dance programs in this new role as Director of cheer, dance and STUNT the sport," said Siebenthall. "I'm looking forward to hiring and supporting new head coaches for both cheer and dance. I believe this new organizational structure will improve the competitiveness of both programs while enhancing the overall student-athlete experience. "
From 2012 to 2019, Siebenthall was head cheer and dance coach at Ottawa University. Under Siebenthall's leadership, the dance team won the 2014 NDA National Championship. She coached 21 All-KCAC cheer performers and 12 All-KCAC dance performers. Siebenthall led the cheer team to seven straight appearances at the NCA National Championships and six top 10 finishes. She coached the dance team to six trips to the NDA National Championships and six top 10 finishes and was named the 2019 KCAC Cheer Coach of the Year.
She spent two years as Pratt Community College's head cheer coach. In her first year with PCC (2010-2011), Siebenthall led the Beavers to a second place finish in the small co-ed division at NCA 2010 summer camp and they also came away with the award for most improved squad. In the spring of 2011 the cheer team traveled to Tulsa, Okla. to compete in the Jam Fest Nationals. The team came home as National Champions in the Elite Co-ed Division. In 2011-2012 PCC placed first at NCA summer camp in the Junior College Division and earning a bid to the NCA College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Fla. At nationals PCC finished fifth in the junior college division; the top three in each division automatically qualified for finals. There were over 240 cheer teams in 18 different divisions.
Prior to PCC, Siebenthall spent 11 years at Lawrence High School (LHS) where she coached one of the top high school cheer programs in the state of Kansas. She was also co-owner, director, and coach for the Lawrence Cheer Academy (LCA), an All Star competitive cheer program. LCA competed in many local, state and national competitions, finishing in the top 10 each time. They also placed first four different times in national competition.
Siebenthall grew up in Larned, Kan. and graduated from Larned High School. Her senior year she was named an NCA All-American cheerleader and was a member of the National Cheerleaders Association performance team. Siebenthall traveled with the team to Hawaii where she performed at half time of the Jeep Eagle Aloha Bowl. She went on to cheer and dance for Barton County Community College (BCCC) and was a member of the 1998 dance team that earned a NDA National Championship.
Siebenthall has headed many cheerleading summer camps throughout her career. She also choreographs routines for high schools, colleges and all-star teams both locally and nationally. Siebenthall earned a degree in sports science with an emphasis in coaching from the University of Kansas in 2001.
Siebenthall's first day at Ottawa University will be Monday, June 29.
