PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern cheerleading program has announced its 2026 competition schedule as the Firehawks prepare to defend their Southern States Athletic Conference title and return to the national stage.

UT Southern enters the season as the 2024 SSAC Champions and continued its run of success with runner-up finishes at the 2023 Mid-South Conference Championship and the 2025 SSAC Championship. Head coach Keye Matthews returns for his sixth season at the helm, guiding a program that has established itself as one of the top cheer programs in the region.

Joining the Firehawks coaching staff this season is two-time NAIA All-American NaKiya Mostella, who has been named assistant coach. Mostella brings championship-level experience and national recognition to the program, further strengthening a coaching staff focused on continued competitive excellence.

The Firehawks will open the competitive season February 6–7 at the Battle in the Big Easy, hosted by Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana. UT Southern will then travel to Marietta, Georgia, on February 15 for the Life U Classic, hosted by Life University.

Conference competition highlights the schedule on March 7 as UT Southern competes at the SSAC Championship in Decatur, Alabama. The Firehawks will then advance to the NAIA Cheer Championship on March 27–28 in Topeka, Kansas.

The season concludes at one of the sport's premier events, the NCA Nationals, held April 7–12 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

With a championship pedigree, a nationally decorated addition to the coaching staff, and high expectations entering the season, the Firehawks look to continue building on their success under the leadership of Matthews and Mostella.

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