Lakers Formally Announce Bobby Rinaldi As Cheer Coach

CHICAGO – Roosevelt University Vice President of Athletics and Student Success, Michael Cassidy, officially announced Tuesday that Bobby Rinaldi has been elevated to become the new head coach of the Roosevelt Lakers cheerleading squad.

Rinaldi was the program's volunteer assistant coach last season after graduating from Texas Tech. In addition to his year at Roosevelt, he was also a volunteer assistant coach at Addison Trail High School while in college and also was a private coach at several cheerleading gyms in Texas.

"Bobby brings a championship pedigree to Roosevelt cheerleading that will help take our program to the next level," Cassidy said. "He has learned from some of the best coaches in the country and has been around successful programs his entire career. His passion for using cheerleading as a tool for learning life lessons fits with the Roosevelt University vision for its athletics programs."

"I am excited to be joining the staff at Roosevelt full-time this season." Rinaldi said. "I want to thank Mike Cassidy for his confidence in me leading this program. I want to make sure these athletes have the best experience possible at Roosevelt University and understand how cheerleading helps in everyday life. I know this program has great potential and I am excited about the hard work we have ahead of us to become the best we can possibly be."

Rinaldi began his cheerleading career at Addison Trail High School in Addison, Ill. before joining the national powerhouse at Navarro College. The location for Netflix's docuseries Cheer, Navarro College has won 15 national championships at the National Cheerleaders Association College Nationals since 2000. While at Navarro, Rinaldi won a world championship with the Cheetahs from Cheer Athletics, an elite cheerleading gym in Texas.

After leaving Navarro, Rinaldi spent two years at Texas Tech where he helped the Red Raiders win the 2019 national championship at the NCA College Nationals. Rinaldi graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in communication and hospitality.

"It's an exciting time for the RU cheer team," Roosevelt spirit coordinator Lindsay Jones added. "Bobby comes from a strong cheer background and has learned from some of the best coaches in the business. We are looking forward to all the knowledge and inspiration Bobby brings to the table."