Temple Cheerleaders Making an Impact in Sports Media

Lindsey Moppert and Emilie Cochrane are more than just athletes. They are sports reporters, cheerleaders, and best friends. The two do share a common goal -- to make an impact in the sport industry as reporters after they graduate from Temple University.

For Moppert, cheer had always been a part of her life, starting the at age five. She was introduced to the sport by her older sister who would constantly flip her around until she fell in love with the sport. Cochrane was a bit older, starting her cheer career in seventh grade.

As members of the Temple cheerleading squad, the two helped the Owls find great success on the national level the last two years, including winning the 2021 Division IA All Girl Game Day National Championship.

"Winning the national championship last year was the best feeling ever," Moppert said. "We really put in a lot of work on the cheer team, and I think most of the time what people see is our work on a basketball court or on the sidelines at a football game but that is such a small portion of it and the fact that we were able to win a national championship was an amazing feeling."

In the year leading up to the National Championship, COVID-19 restrictions made it very difficult for the team to practice but despite all the setbacks, they kept their eyes on the prize.

"It was definitely a hard year for us because of COVID," Cochrane said. "We had a lot of setbacks with practicing because we couldn't be together in one gym, so it was really cool to score as high as we did. I feel like our entire routine is so different from everybody else, so I think that caught the judges' eyes."

The cheerleaders finished in second place in the same event this year, which motivates Cochrane to win her second gold medal next year. "My biggest motivation is the fact that we lost this year, and we need to work harder to build the team back up," she said.

Cochrane and Moppert have been great leaders on the cheerleading squad, and they are role models for their teammates. "They're very positive and encouraging and are always ready to help out a teammate," said Temple Head Cheerleading coach Jenna Komosinski. "Their leadership styles are great and they're both very approachable. They lead by example in more ways than with the actual skills at practice."

Cheer has helped Moppert and Cochrane as sports reporters, as it has given them the confidence to be great in front of the camera. "You have to be able to smile and have energy, and I think that's the same thing with sports broadcasting. You have to show enthusiasm in your face and in your voice," Cochrane said.

Moppert found her love for sports reporting through cheer. "I've always loved being in the action on the sidelines and close to the game," she said. "I also love how there's so much opportunity for these players and they give so much to their sports. Those are awesome fun-loving kinds of stories to get out there and there are more pressing stories that need to be covered in the sports world."

Cochrane knew that she wanted to get into broadcasting, but she realized that she wanted to work in sports when she started cheering at Temple. "We were exposed to all of the home games and being in that environment made me want to pursue sports," she said. "Being in sports media has allowed me to grow in both areas. I enjoy being in the collegiate atmosphere and having that sense of a game day."

Balancing sports media, cheer, school, and normal life has been difficult for these cheerleaders, but maintaining good time management skills has helped them keep a work-life balance. In the fall 2021 semester, Moppert had a packed schedule, since she worked early mornings as an intern with PHL-17. She would wake up at 2:30 a.m. to work a 3:30 a.m. shift. Then, she had class and did homework before cheer practice from 7:00-10:00 p.m.

Moppert sacrificed sleep for an internship experience but loved every minute of it and the anchors were supportive. "It's not going to last forever and I'm very lucky that I got those opportunities," Moppert said.

Moppert has several other experiences in sports media, including Sports Anchor and Reporter roles with OwlSports Update, a Reporter for the American Athletic Conference, a Sports Anchor for Temple Update, and a Summer Intern with 97.3 ESPN.

Cochrane works as a Sports Anchor and Reporter with OwlSports Update and was also a Reporter for Philly Sports Digest.

Cochrane's favorite story was about a Temple basketball alum who advocates for gun violence and breast cancer awareness in North Philadelphia. She won an Emmy award for the story, as it was empowering. "I was surprised because it was the first one that I've ever done, but I think the message was super touching," she said.

Moppert and Cochrane are happy to be part of the change of more women breaking into the sport industry. "More girls want to get into the industry, and they are striving to be respected in that nature," Cochrane said. Moppert looks up to ESPN's Sam Ponder and Dianna Russini, as they paved the way for women like Moppert and Cochrane in sports media. "I hope that I'm someone who can continue paving the way for women younger than me," Moppert said.

Both cheerleaders are part of the Sports Media Society for Women, which is an organization at Temple for women that want to break into the sport industry. Cochrane is the president and Moppert is the vice president of the organization. The organization has grown from 10 members three years ago to 80 current members. "Women tend to face the same struggles no matter what it is. The group aims to support everyone in the industry," Moppert said.

Their families are a big influence in their lives, as Cochrane calls her parents her "number ones" and Moppert stated that her mom is her biggest role model. Moppert's favorite event that she covered so far in her career was the Drexel women's basketball game against Delaware last month because her friends and family were able to watch her in action and hype her up, as the game aired on NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Moppert has also been one of Cochrane's biggest role models, as she showed her the ropes of OwlSports Update. They can talk about cheer or anything outside of school with each other while pushing each other to get better at their craft.

As Moppert is set to graduate from Temple in a few months, Cochrane will return for her senior season next year. These cheerleaders continue to make an impact in the sport industry and pave the way for young girls that want to work in sports.

Temple University Athletics

Temple Cheerleaders Making an Impact in Sports Media

Players Mentioned

Emilie Cochrane

Lindsey Moppert

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