May 20, 2004
Moraga, CA - Saint Mary's College Assistant Director of Athletics for External Affairs, Andy McDowell announced today that Kelly Krauss has accepted the position of head coach of the Saint Mary's spirit squad. Krauss takes over a spirit squad that currently has 10 members. A tryout to complete the squad will take place early in the fall semester.
"We're really excited to have someone of Kelly's caliber take over our spirit team," said McDowell. "She has a tremendous background in dance and did an excellent job building a program that won a national title at UC Davis. We're looking forward to working with her to build a great spirit program at Saint Mary's."
Krauss comes to Saint Mary's from UC Davis where she was the coach and choreographer of the school's dance team since 2001. During her three-year stint at UC Davis, Krauss coached the Aggies to an Open Division Hip Hop National Championship in 2004 as well as a third place finish in the open dance division. Additionally, she led the squad to a second place open division finish in the 2003 national championships.
"I am very excited to come to Saint Mary's and work with this squad," said Krauss. "I feel very lucky to join such a great athletic department and school community, and am anxious to help build the spirit squad program to an exciting level."
In addition to her time at UC Davis, Krauss serves as a head instructor and choreographer for the Universal Dance Association, a position she's held since 1993. Also in 1993, she established working relationships with the University of Hawaii, Southeastern University, Greeley West High School, Bear Creek High School and Ketchikan High School.
A 1999 graduate of Long Beach State, Krauss was the team captain of the dance team from 1996-99, while helping the team to a national championship in 1996. While a student at Long Beach State, Krauss was also a member of the Los Angeles Clippers Spirit Dance Team in 1999, a member of the Anaheim Angels Strike Force from 1996-97, and was involved with performances on the Jerry Lewis Telethon from 1996-2003. She also appeared as a dancer in the motion picture "Spirit Realm" and in Dwight Yoakam's music video "Fast As You".
Krauss currently is employed at Ygnacio Valley High School where she is a teacher and program director. Her teaching responsibilities include Biology, Physiology, Sports Medicine and Physical Education. A certified athletic trainer, she is the Head Athletic Trainer at YVHS and developed the Sports Medicine program for the school.
