Florida State University has long been known for its storied athletic tradition, but on a global stage that rarely recognizes spirit squads with the same reverence as football or basketball, the Florida State Seminoles men’s cheerleading team just etched its name into the record books in jaw-dropping fashion. In what has been described as “the most electric, athletic, and emotionally resonant cheer performance ever broadcast,” the men’s squad stunned the world and earned the coveted title of “World’s Best” by ESPN following their landmark performance at the International Cheerleading Championship.
This wasn’t just a victory for Florida State—it was a seismic shift for the sport. The performance, delivered with a combination of raw athleticism, intricate choreography, and emotionally charged storytelling, left fans and judges alike in awe. Thousands of fans packed the arena in Orlando, Florida, where the championship was held, while millions more tuned in online and on ESPN, many of whom had never watched a cheerleading event before. What they witnessed was nothing short of revolutionary.
The Seminoles men’s team stepped onto the mat with purpose. From the moment the opening stunts took flight, the audience knew something special was unfolding. What followed was a high-octane sequence of tumbling passes, synchronized pyramids, and gravity-defying tosses that seemed to bend the rules of physics. But what truly set their performance apart was the message behind it—one of resilience, unity, and pride in their school, their sport, and each other.
Wearing garnet and gold uniforms that shimmered under the arena lights, the team moved as one heartbeat, each lift and flip telling a story of brotherhood, sacrifice, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Choreographed to an original musical score with elements of hip-hop, classical, and cinematic soundscapes, the Seminoles’ routine felt more like a Broadway production than a traditional cheer sequence. But make no mistake—this was cheerleading at its most elite, the technical precision undeniable, the risk factor through the roof.
ESPN’s lead analyst for the event, former Olympic gymnast and cheer historian Tara Madison, called it “the greatest cheer performance I have ever seen in person or on tape. What Florida State’s men’s squad accomplished transcends the sport. They inspired millions and raised the bar for what cheerleading can be.”
Indeed, the impact of the performance was felt well beyond the walls of the convention center. Social media exploded within minutes of the final pyramid collapsing into a perfectly timed ripple effect that brought the crowd to its feet. Clips of the routine were instantly viral—circulating on X, Instagram, and TikTok under hashtags like #NolesCheer, #WorldsBest, and #FSUMagic. Even celebrities took notice. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson tweeted, “Absolutely incredible performance by @FSUCheer. Power, precision, and heart. This is what greatness looks like.”
The journey to this moment was anything but easy for the Seminoles. The men’s cheerleading team has been quietly building a dynasty under head coach Marcus Reynolds, a former All-American cheerleader and FSU alum who took over the program seven years ago with a clear vision: elevate FSU Cheer to a level no one thought possible. That meant more than just clean routines and conference wins—it meant crafting a culture of accountability, creativity, and next-level athleticism.
Reynolds pushed his athletes like a top-tier football coach would. Practices often stretched into the early morning hours. Strength training was on par with varsity programs. The team spent months engineering stunts that had never been seen before, all while balancing academics, public appearances, and supporting other FSU athletic programs at games and events. “We had to be more than good,” Reynolds said after the performance. “We had to be unforgettable. And I think tonight, we were.”
The squad is composed of 18 athletes, including several former gymnasts, dancers, and even one ex-parkour competitor. Their diverse backgrounds gave the team a unique edge—creatively and technically. One of the team’s stars, senior co-captain Elijah Booker, delivered a series of standing full twists and basket tosses that had judges audibly gasping. “I knew we had something special when we finished our final practice and the room was silent,” Booker said. “It wasn’t nerves. It was focus. We knew we were about to make history.”
Making history is exactly what they did. For the first time in the International Cheerleading Championship’s 32-year history, a men’s collegiate squad not only won the title but did so with the highest score ever recorded in the event. The judges praised their difficulty, timing, creativity, and emotional delivery, awarding the Seminoles a near-perfect score that eclipsed even the most dominant all-girl and coed teams from powerhouse programs like Kentucky, Louisville, and Oklahoma State.
It’s hard to overstate the significance of this win. In a sport long dominated by coed squads, the Florida State men’s team has now shattered that paradigm, proving that a male-only team can not only compete but redefine what excellence looks like. Their win also ignites important conversations about gender roles in cheerleading, athletic representation, and the visibility of non-traditional sports programs in major media coverage.
In the days following the performance, FSU’s campus has been electric. Students have flooded social media with messages of support and pride. The university’s president issued a public congratulations, calling the team “ambassadors of Seminole strength and spirit.” Alumni from around the globe have reached out to the program, many sharing how proud they are to see the team elevate not just the school’s name, but the sport itself.
For the athletes, the recognition is meaningful, but their focus remains on legacy. “This win isn’t just for us,” said junior flyer Malik Thompson. “It’s for every guy who was told cheerleading wasn’t a real sport. It’s for every kid who dreams big and refuses to be boxed in. We did this for all of them.”
Looking ahead, the team has already been invited to perform at the 2025 ESPY Awards, where they’ll share the stage with Olympic gold medalists and NFL champions. There’s also talk of a documentary being produced by ESPN Films chronicling the team’s rise to global prominence. A short teaser was posted to social media on Monday, showing behind-the-scenes training, emotional team meetings, and the moment the squad learned they had been named World’s Best.
Even rival programs have been quick to acknowledge the magnitude of Florida State’s win. LSU Cheer’s official account tweeted, “We’ve got nothing but respect for the Noles. That performance was legendary.” Meanwhile, coaches from several elite cheerleading universities have already reached out to Reynolds and his staff to exchange ideas, discuss choreography, and possibly collaborate on cheer camps this summer.
What makes Florida State’s rise even more compelling is how organically it happened. There were no viral stunts before this weekend, no flashy NIL deals or national commercials. Just grit, focus, and a burning desire to be great. That authenticity shone through every second of their performance—and may be the very reason why it resonated so deeply with audiences around the world.
As the world continues to celebrate their groundbreaking win, the Seminoles men’s cheerleading squad is already back in the gym. “We’re grateful, but we’re not done,” Reynolds said. “This is the beginning of something much bigger. We want to inspire, we want to elevate the sport, and we want to show people what happens when heart meets discipline.”
For now, Florida State can bask in a moment of unparalleled glory. The Seminoles have proven that greatness isn’t confined to a gridiron or a hardwood court. Sometimes, it’s found in midair—twisting, flipping, and catching fire in front of a global stage that will never forget what it saw.