Oct. 4, 2011
CHICAGO - Lindsey Jones-Lococo has been named the UIC Athletics Spirit Coordinator, while Leo Romuar has been tabbed the department's cheerleading coach, it was announced Tuesday.
In 2011-12, Jones-Lococo will enter her second year as the head coach of the UIC Dancing Flames - in her new role; she will oversee both the cheer and dance teams. Her choreography and dancing experience within the athletics industry includes stints with the Chicago Storm, Storm Chasers Dance Team, Rockford Rampage, Crash Dancers, Rock River Raptors, Dynamites Dancers, McHenry County Pirates and the Swashbuckler Cheerleaders. Jones-Lococo also currently works game-day operations for the Chicago Fire.
Jones-Lococo's other professional experiences include appearances on NBC 5, ABC 7, WGN and FOX 32, while also making several appearances on "Oprah," including the 24th Season Premiere featuring the "Black Eyed Peas," and the "Country Stars Show" featuring Carrie Underwood and Kenny Chesney. She was recently seen performing with Beyonce for the Oprah Farewell Spectacular.
Jones-Lococo is a former UDA/varsity staff member and continues to judge for the organization. Her choreography has won awards locally and nationally with Starpower Nationals, UDA-High School and College Nationals TDI and IDTA. She continues to freelance and teach dance locally.
Romuar has been involved in the cheerleading business for more than 15 years. His experience at the competitive level began in high school at Buffalo Grove, and continued during his college days at both UIC and Illinois, where he lettered for both schools. Since 2000, he has served as a cheerleading instructor for the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA), educating middle school, high school and college athletes and coaches on proper technique while emphasizing safety and risk management.
Romuar has also been active as a cheerleading judge, doing so on the regional and national level - he regular judges the state competition for the Illinois High School Athletic Association (IHSA). He also choreographs and provides consultation to middle school, high school, all-star and college teams throughout the Midwest. Romuar is a board member of the Illinois Spirit Officials Association (ISOA), and currently works as a personal trainer with Chicago Athletic Clubs in the West Loop.
