Director of Athletics Kris Swogger announced on Friday the hiring of Sonni Bennett as the new head coach of the Keiser University spirit squad.
 
"We are thrilled that Sonni will lead the Keiser spirit squad," Swogger said. "Her experience and enthusiasm for the sport stood out to us, and we look forward to seeing our program develop under her guidance."
 
"I want to thank Dr. Gary Vonk (Campus President) and Kris Swogger (Director of Athletics) for giving me this amazing opportunity," Bennett said. "I am thrilled to be a Seahawk and to coach the incredible cheer and dance athletes at Keiser University. Big and exciting things are to come for this Spirit Squad program." 
 
Bennett comes to Keiser from the University of Louisiana Monroe, in Monroe, Louisiana, where she served as the assistant director of spirit groups and media relations.
 
Bennett began her role at ULM in April of 2017 and was responsible for all facets of the Spirit Group programs (cheer, dance, and mascot), as well as media relations for the Rec Services department. She also was the Head Hawkline Dance Coach from 2017 to 2021. During her time at ULM, Bennett's Hawkline team won four dance National Championships with American Dance and Drill Team from 2019 to 2022 and a fourth-place finish with National Dance Alliance in 2021. Her cheer team won a World Cup National Championship in 2020 and a third-place finish in 2021 with Universal Cheer Association.
 
Bennett earned her bachelor's degree in health informatics and information management from Louisiana Tech University in 2014. While at La Tech, she was a member of the Regal Blues dance team for four years and served as her team's captain for two years. Before transferring to Louisiana Tech in 2010, Bennett attended ULM and was a member of the Pom Line for a year and served as her team's captain that year.
 
Bennett has always been highly involved in all things cheer and dance. Before her college career began, she won numerous dance scholarships and national championships over her twenty years of service at DBK Dance and Performing Arts.