Possessing the unique experience as a former cheerleader for the Braves, Kristen Freeman will enter her seventh season as head coach of the spirit squad in 2025-26.
Freeman transitioned to her alma mater after a handful of stints as cheerleading coach in various Robeson County schools. She most recently served a position as the head coach of the varsity cheerleading squad at Fairmont High School during the 2016-17 school year.
Freeman has a wealth of cheerleading and choreography experience, while also possessing extensive experience in fund-raising, music editing and community service. While a student at UNCP, she was also the head coach of the junior varsity cheerleading squad at Purnell Swett High School, and has since held similar positions at Fairmont High School and Red Springs High School as well. She led the Tornadoes to a third-place finish at the North Carolina High School Cheerleading competition in 2017.
A native of Pembroke, Freeman was a cheerleader at UNCP from 2008-12, and returned to captain the club cheerleading squad in 2015-16. She earned her degree in exercise & sports science from UNC Pembroke in 2013, completed her master’s degree in counseling in 2021.
Updated: June 2025
