Patricia Blankenship Announced as Director of Spirit Squads & STUNT Head Coach

Marshall, Mo., (June 29, 2026)- Missouri Valley College welcomes veteran cheer coach Patricia Blankenship to campus as the Vikings' Director of Spirit Squads and Head Stunt Coach.

Blankenship, from Eldon, Mo., is a 26-year veteran of private gym and high school coaching, most recently serving as stunt and cheer coach at Hickman High School in Columbia, Mo. She founded the Cheer Academy of Missouri, and prior to that spent four years as an all-star cheer coach at Show Me Athletics in Osage Beach, Mo, and six years as head cheer coach at Eldon High School.

"I am truly grateful to Missouri Valley for giving me the opportunity to combine my passion for cheer with a school committed to the development of student-athletes," Blankenship said. 

As to upholding Valley's rich cheer tradition, she said that "success is not built on individual talent alone, but on the relentless commitment to raising the standard every single day, unlocking the leader hidden within every single athlete."

MVC President Joe Parisi said "We are thrilled to welcome Tricia to Missouri Valley College. Her reputation as an accomplished coach and leader precedes her, but what excites us most is her passion for developing young people. We believe she is the right person to build upon our proud tradition of cheer excellence, and we look forward to watching our student-athletes thrive under her leadership. Welcome to the Viking family, Tricia!" 

Some of her coaching accolades include Summit champion, NCA champion x2, Cheersport Champion, Jamfest Champion, Regional Summit Champion, and US Finals Champion.

Blankenship and her husband, Jason, own The Shed, a batting cage and workout facility, and Jason Blankenship CPA, both in Eldon. They have three children: Breckin, 25, Felicity, 23, and Giana, 15.

About Missouri Valley College

Standing out as one of the most innovative and student-focused liberal arts colleges in the Midwest, Missouri Valley College (MVC) is committed to preparing students for success beyond the classroom. Through the Viking Voyage program, MVC prioritizes career readiness from day one, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel after graduation. Each of MVC's 30+ in-demand majors—including nursing, business, cybersecurity, computer science, criminal justice, and exercise science—integrates personal instruction, experiential learning, and professional opportunities to prepare graduates to thrive in a rapidly changing and globally connected world. At Missouri Valley College, higher education is more than earning a degree—it's a transformative journey that begins with the end.