Uniform collection tells the story of Virginia Tech's cheer evolution
In a climate-controlled room in Newman Library at Virginia Tech, a timeline of cheerleading history unfolds through pleats, pompoms, and polyester.
As disco-era hot pants sit alongside mid-century sweaters and modern moisture-wicking fabrics, each uniform tells a story of Virginia Tech's cheer evolution. The Virginia Tech Cheerleading Uniform Collection, representing 1956-2012, captures changing fashion trends and Hokie Spirit across generations.
Sherwood “Sherry” Payne Quillen ’71 recognized an opportunity while coordinating a cheerleading reunion in the early 2000s as a member of the Monogram Club. The Monogram Club offers former student-athletes a chance to honor Virginia Tech’s past achievements and celebrate present sports and support areas.
"As we gathered memorabilia for the reunion, this idea of uniforms through the decades was born,” said Quillen. “Fashion and clothing are so indicative of the historical period and culture of a place. We wanted to capture the many styles of cheerleading at Virginia Tech for posterity."
Quillen's dedication to the project led to a collaboration with University Libraries Special Collections and University Archives. University Archivist Amelia Verkerk and student archivist Ella Winterling are processing the collection to ensure its preservation and make the garments accessible to the community for study and recognition.
"This collection was an opportunity to preserve a classic part of Virginia Tech's history that hasn't been well documented beyond what's in the Bugles and our Historic Photograph Collection," said Verkerk. “Virginia Tech’s cheerleaders and the rest of the Spirit Squad, have been promoting Hokie sports and the university for decades and their accomplishments deserve to be remembered. Hokie alums are the best and Sherry is the perfect example. She’s worked incredibly hard over the years advocating for Virginia Tech and its cheerleaders and we are honored she chose the library to archive the uniforms.”
For Quillen, the collection holds personal significance. "I was a Virginia Tech cheerleader in the '70s, my youngest son was the Hokie Bird in the early 2000s, and my youngest granddaughter is currently cheering for her middle school and on a competition team," said Quillen. "It's exciting to have three generations where school spirit is more than just being a fan in the stands. Birds of a feather, I guess."
From go-go boots to modern day
In the late 1960s, long pleated skirts were the standard. Once cheerleading transformed into a more athletic sport featuring flips and stunts, hemlines rose and designs became more experimental. From 1968-71, a short jumper dress paired with a cape created a look reminiscent of Star Trek. The 1970s brought an eclectic mix of styles – bibbed shorts, neckties, hot pants, and patent leather boots. By the 1980s, the now-familiar combination of mini skirt and crop top became the classic cheerleading silhouette that continues to influence designs today.
“These are fascinating moments in time — a snapshot of Virginia Tech history in a very unique and different way than many of the other archives,” said Quillen.
The collection showcases some iconic pieces, including 1970s uniforms featuring hot pants and orange go-go boots – a favorite among collection processors and visitors alike.
“I think it's hard not to talk about the hot pants and go-go boots,” said Quillen.
The collection also houses pieces from significant figures in Virginia Tech's history, including:
The first cheerleading uniform of a poodle skirt, Virginia Tech sweater, and black and white oxford shoes from Patsy Steckler Bean '58, Virginia Tech's first female cheerleader
A cheerleading sweater from Kylene Barker McNeill '78, who became Miss America in 1979
A unique preservation challenge
The collection goes beyond the usual Special Collections and University Archives paper records and digital files, it challenges the team to delve into textile preservation and cataloging. Working with a textile conservator, the team took special steps to preserve older uniform pieces that had been stained, torn, or worn down with time.
“Compared to other sports at Virginia Tech, cheerleading was not as well documented,” said Winterling. “So it was really interesting to see the physical history of cheerleading at Virginia Tech as well as being able to document more of the history of the sport. It was a really fun and different type of collection that allowed us to explore and learn more about both university history and fashion history.”
Winterling is creating an inventory for the uniforms, storing them, and making them accessible online. She documented her work with the collection in a blog post.
“Pop culture — fashion, hairstyles, music, television, sports — can be immediately recognizable to a specific time or place,” said Quillen.“From a nostalgia or sentimental place, or even just one’s sense of connection and belonging, I think these pieces are visual representations of a specific time that folks across Virginia Tech’s history can immediately relate to. Our school pride is strong. I think this collection can elicit strong feelings and a sense of emotional connection”
A time capsule of school spirit
The collection stands as a unique time capsule of university culture through the decades.
“The older I get, the more I appreciate the capturing and protecting of things gone by,” said Quillen. “We have become a very disposable society. Pictures don’t get printed. Things break and we buy new instead of fixing them. I think it’s special now and will only become more special with time.
"Whether you were a student in the '50s or a student in the 2000s, Hokie pride is, and has been, alive — and will continue to be," said Quillen. "Virginia Tech is special in that we love when our teams win, but our pride in this school is bigger than any specific sport, game, or win. When we say, 'This is home' we mean it. I'm thrilled to have contributed to the securing of historical items in the closet of this home."
