ADRIAN, Mich. – The Adrian College Athletic Department announced Jessica Patterson as the new Director of Cheerleading and Dance, and Kaylie Simpson as the head dance coach last week. Patterson will oversee the cheerleading and the dance program while focusing her coaching towards cheerleading. Simpson will focus he coaching on the dance team.
 
Patterson is a current employee at Adrian College as an Assistant Professor in the Teacher Education Department. In addition to her position at Adrian College, Patterson spent time coaching cheerleading at Hudson Area Schools and Addison Community Schools. From the winter of 2004 to the fall of 2007, Patterson worked for the Hudson Area Schools as a junior varsity cheerleading coach. At Hudson, she implemented and designed creative routines to perform during competitions and games.
 
In the summer of 2007, Patterson went on to work as the varsity cheerleading coach for the Addison Community Schools. There she continued to design and implement routines for competitions and games along with handling team administrative roles, and fundraise for the program.
 
"I am excited to get started and put the Adrian College cheer and dance program on the map for being an outstanding team with much success," said Patterson. "I would like Adrian College to become the place that future athletes cannot wait to attend!"
 
Simpson is a 2021 graduate of Adrian College with a Bachelor's Degree in Athletic Training. She then spent the 2021-22 academic year earning her Master's Degree in Athletic Training. While at Adrian College, she was a member of the dance team. She was voted Most Valuable Player and Best Teammate. Some of the Adrian College dance routines performed at different events were choreographed by Simpson. During her time on the team she attended the NDA Dance Nationals twice. Outside of her time in school, Simpson has directed dance classes of her own while also assisting at Peg Harris Dance Studio & Company C Dance Club.
 
"I am super excited to start this new journey and lead the team as we strive for greatness," Simpson said. "I'm beyond grateful to get to continue to share my love for dance and this team at Adrian." 
 
Patterson and Simpson will begin their roles and recruiting immediately.