Celia Allen-Hames is the Head Cheerleading Coach for the NCA Competitive team, Stunt Competitive team, NAIA Competitive team and the Sideline team. While Celia coaches and leads all of these teams, she can find areas that are very rewarding, "I love the relationships I make with athletes… every athlete that I have had the privilege to coach has left an impact in the way I lead. The most rewarding part of my job comes at the tail end of every season, when individuals rise to the occasion after facing adversity, struggle, and challenge. The most amazing feeling as a coach is seeing their individual and team transformation from Day 1 of summer practices to the ending "Panthers!" that finishes off our routine." During Celia's time at Davenport, she has helped bring the team to many championships:
 
- 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 NCA National Championship Coach (DU) 
- 2015, 2016 STUNT National Championship Coach 
- 2017 NAIA Regional Championship 
- 2016 WHAC Championship 
- 2017 (3rd) at NAIA National Championship
 
Celia attended Grand Valley State University and graduated with a Non-Profit Administration degree. While at GVSU, Celia cheered on the NCA All Girl Competitive team. Celia is also a former USAG gymnast but turned towards the "cheer side" after she obtained an injury while in high school and has never looked back since. "During my college years I was blessed to be part of Champion Cheerleading; a cheerleading camp company that hosts teams from around the state for summer camps. Being part of Champion Cheerleading's Staff has had the most profound impact on my coaching, and cheerleading career. This has led to the most amazing opportunities and opened me up to the joy in coaching young women in our sport." Throughout Celia's time in college, she made so many relationships that will last a lifetime and is something she will never forget, "The relationships you make during college truly last a lifetime. My college experience would not be half of what it is without the people that made it unforgettable."
 
Q. What do you remember most about your college experience?
A. The relationships you make during college truly last a lifetime. My college experience would not be half of what it is without the people that made it unforgettable.
 
Q. What are you most proud of with what you have accomplished in your job so far?
A. I will never forget the moment when an athlete came up to me at the end of the season… She along with her fellow teammates felt the same when she said, "I feel like I can do absolutely anything!" That by far is the most proud I have ever been as a coach. It's the driving force behind the Davenport Cheerleading culture. A goal of our coaching staff is to not only coach these incredible young women to be the best cheerleaders that they can be… but the best people that they can be! For these capable, amazing young women to go out in the world taking away all of the lessons learned inside the practice room goes well beyond any title, or championship win.

Story by: Aaron Beally