This is Part 2 of a three-part series looking at three different aspects of Averett University's game day experience for athletics events. Part 2 looks at the family atmosphere and features women's basketball player Joelle Deese's 7-year-old sister, Luci Bray Deese, who cheers at games.




Family is extremely important to Averett University and its Department of Athletics. So when the opportunity to incorporate family within the "Averett Family" came about, the Averett cheerleaders welcomed the 7-year-old sister of women's basketball player Joelle Deese with open arms.

Luci Bray Deese, a first-grader from Apex, North Carolina, cheered on the sidelines with the Averett cheerleaders at the women's basketball games this past season
 
Joelle, a junior, is extremely close with her sister and said it means the world to her that Averett allows Luci to participate with the cheerleading team at her games. Luci memorizes routines, stretches with the team, participates in stunts and even calls cheers for the team throughout the game.

"It's literally the exact thing Averett wants to show. Her being a part of the cheerleading team shows Averett's motto of 'One Team, One Family,'" Joelle said. "To bring my Averett family and my real family together means the absolute world, and she loves cheering with the team."

Luci has all the apparel she needs as well. Each game she brings her very own pom poms, wears a blue and gold cheerleading outfit and has a big bow in her hair. Cheerleading head coach Angie Bowers actually gave Luci one of the teams practice T-shirts.

"It means [a lot] because she and her sister are extremely close. It's special to me as her mom that they make her a part of this experience," said Michelle Deese, who is Luci's mother and Joelle's step-mom.

Michelle was a cheerleader growing up and she enjoys watching her daughter cheer with the Averett team. Her favorite part is watching Luci being lifted up for stunts and hearing her yell "Go Cougars" while in the air.

"Maybe one day she can be a part of the Averett family for real," Michelle said.

Joelle said she is always thrilled to see her little sister standing with the cheerleaders yelling "go sissy" and copying the cheers. "It's the cutest thing. She's already talking about going to school where 'sissy goes.'"

Averett has the motto of "One Team, One Family," and is certainly upholding this motto. Although Luci won't cheer anymore since the season is over, the 7-year-old said she "will be back."