Weber State cheer star flips passion into national success
OGDEN, Utah — Before he could even read, Kobe Cottingham was already flipping and flying, turning a childhood pastime into an inspiring cheerleading career.
Cottingham, 23, is the only male flyer currently on Weber State University’s Spirit Squad.
He grew up in Montevallo, Alabama, with his twin brother and three older siblings. He was especially close with his sister, Makayla, who was also a cheerleader. Given their strong relationship, he said it’s no surprise he followed in her footsteps.
At just 3 years old, Cottingham said he spent more time on his hands and head than on his feet. He taught himself flips and tricks from YouTube videos and would practice until he figured them out.
“I just found it fun and something I truly enjoyed,” he said. “I enjoyed doing football, baseball, and basketball as well, but cheerleading is what brought me the most joy.”
Shortly after graduating high school, Cottingham moved to Texas to attend Trinity Valley Community College. He was on their cheer team for three years before officially deciding that Weber State was the school for him.
“I came across Weber on Instagram, and I was like, ‘That’s the school I want to go to,’” Cottingham said.
After moving from Alabama to Texas, he said the move to Utah wasn’t hard. Once he saw WSU’s campus and opportunities to grow, he decided “Weber has more to give.”
Since 2025, Cottingham has celebrated numerous wins with WSU’s Spirit Squad. He’s also a member of the U.S. National Team for USA Cheer, which means he represents the United States at international competitions and events.
In spring 2026, Weber State competed and won multiple titles during the annual NCA and NDA College Nationals competition. There, Cottingham achieved his lifelong dream of flying a basket toss on the Daytona Beach Bandshell in Florida, soaring and flipping after his teammates launched him into the air.
“Being in the crowd and watching Weber versus being on the mat and competing with Weber is very different,” he said. “This entire year has been a dream come true.”
Throughout his cheer journey, Cottingham has acknowledged both the challenges and rewards of his sport. He said his perseverance and determination have allowed him to break barriers in spaces where there aren’t others like him.
“Cheerleading is way more than pompoms and yelling through a megaphone,” he said. “It’s physical, hard, demanding work.”
After only a year at WSU, Cottingham has never felt more at home. He credits Summer Willis, WSU’s Spirit Squad director, for always supporting him and giving him opportunities to grow as a student-athlete.
“Kobe has an infectious smile and brings so much joy to everyone around him,” Willis said. “It’s been amazing to watch his journey and all that he’s accomplished while at WSU. From here on campus to the national and world stage, Kobe is a great representative and embodies the true Wildcat spirit.”
After graduation, the professional sales student plans to grow his social media platforms as an influencer and pursue modeling. He also recently joined the Dallas Drive team in the Pro Cheer League, the first-ever paid professional competitive cheerleading league for elite athletes 18 and older.
When Cottingham first started his cheerleading journey, he said he never imagined it would become such an important part of his life or that he would achieve so much through the sport.
“If I could talk to my 3-year-old self, I would tell him, ‘It’s all gonna work out,’” he said. “‘It’s not always going to be easy, but you’re gonna be fine. Just keep pushing because you’re gonna do amazing things.’”
Cottingham said Weber State has given him opportunities to grow not only as a cheerleader, but as a person too. He said it wouldn't have been possible if he hadn’t decided to be different and choose his own path. Now, he also encourages others to embrace what makes them unique.
“Stand out,” he said. “You don’t want to be the same as everyone else, so step out and do what others won’t do.”
Elva Mora, Marketing & Communications
- Contact:
Rachel Badali, Public Relations Director
801-626-7948, rachelbadali@weber.edu