Our Director

Our Director

Marilou Braswell

FCA Cheer

Director

Support Marilou

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE:


"The joy of the Lord is my strength."

- Nehemiah 8:10



ABOUT MARILOU:


After cheering in high school, Marilou became a Physical Education major at the University of Georgia (UGA) where she was on the JV gymnastics team during her first two years of college. Through Campus Crusade for Christ her freshman year, Marilou realized she had a "religion" but not a "relationship" with Jesus Christ. She asked Him into her heart and so started her spiritual journey. The next 3 years, Marilou cheered for the Dawgs and was a two year captain and NCA College All-American her senior year. She was an active member of FCA in college.


After coaching high school cheerleaders and teaching PE at the Lovett School in Atlanta for six years, Marilou was hired to return to her alma mater, the University of Georgia, as the head cheerleading coach in 1993 where she coached until 2004. She then went on to be the Dean of Women at Whitefield Academy in Atlanta. She currently serves as the Executive Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Cheerleading Ministry.


Marilou lives in her hometown of Athens, GA. Her daughter Laci, a UGA grad and UVA Law School grad is married to Adam Nelson, a three-time Olympian in the shot put having won one silver and one gold medal. Her son Beau, a UGA grad and George Washington Law School grad, lives and works in Atlanta, GA. Marilou's two grandchildren, Caroline Grace and Lauren Olivia Nelson, are the highlights of her life.

History of FCA Cheer

Former University of Georgia cheerleading coach Marilou Braswell was first hired in October 2007 as the Regional Director of FCA Cheerleading. In December 2008, the ministry became FCA’s ninth national Sports Specific Ministry (SSM) and Marilou was named National Director. SSMs like FCA Cheerleading are designed to impact specific sports communities for Christ by ministering to athletes and coaches united around the particular sport where their greatest passion lies. As such, FCA Cheerleading unites individuals who share a passion for serving Christ with a passion for cheerleading.


FCA Cheerleading began with one camp at Vanguard University in 2006. We have continued to expand every year, and we now offer both team and private camps all over the United States. Our camps are taught by some of the best college cheerleaders in the country.


From the East to the West Coasts, FCA Cheerleading has touched the lives of thousands of cheerleaders and coaches in just nine years. At every camp, we have the privilege of praying with girls to accept Christ for the very first time, and with those who rededicate their lives to Him. All in all, everyone leaves having experienced Christ's love and feeling closer to the Lord. It's our prayer that this ministry will continue to have a positive impact in the lives of cheerleaders and coaches across the United States, not only at summer camps, but also through local cheer gyms, regional cheer competitions, and social media.


FCA Cheerleading participates in a number of events throughout the calendar year. The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, a cheerleader favorite, allows FCA Cheer Camp All-Americans to take part in fun festivities before the game. To add, FCA Cheerleading hosts a Fall and Spring Extravaganza to fundraise for the upcoming cheer camp season.


In 2023, FCA Cheerleading celebrated its 16th Anniversary and plans to continue growing the ministry’s outreach in hopes of leading more young women towards Christ.

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