Coach Danielle

Danielle Watkins is the Ventura College Head Cheerleading Coach and Advisor, has over seventeen years of cheerleading experience as a cheerleader, instructor, coach, choreographer, audition judge and competition judge. Since she has taken over the program at Ventura College in 2007, her teams have earned two State Titles, two West Coast titles, and three National Championships. In 2009, she was nominated as one of the “Top Ten Cheerleading Coaches” in the state of California at the Cheer Pros' State Championship.

She is also an Assistant Cheer Coach at Saint Bonaventure High School, a choreographer at Adolfo Camarillo High School, and a United Spirit Association Cheerleading Instructor and Competition Judge.

Danielle has worked with multiple cheerleading teams in the Ventura County Area including: Ventura College, Saint Bonaventure High School, Santa Barbara High School, Adolfo Camarillo High School, Santa Paula High School, Oxnard High School, Rio Mesa High School, Pacifica High School, Nordhoff High School, Christa McAuliffe Elementary, Coast Spirit Academy, Club Cheer Twisters and Power Cheer Devils.

Danielle has been very involved with the United Spirit Association (USA) for past ten years. She has served as a Head Cheerleading Instructor at the USA's summer camps the past nine years. She is also a regional, national, and international competition judge in cheerleading, songleading, mascot, and safety judging. She has assisted in program development and choreography for the cheerleading program. The USA cheer/mascot staff voted for her to receive the "Leadership Award" in 2007 and 2008.

As a member of the USA staff, Danielle has had the opportunity to participate in many special events. She has taught cheerleading internationally for the USA. She flew to Mexico, Singapore, and Japan to judge, choreograph, and instruct their cheerleaders and dancers. She has assisted the USA in the production of various special events and halftime shows for professional teams including: Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, and the NFL Pro-Bowl in 2005. She has been the head instructor at the USA half-time show at UCLA for the past three years. USA asked her to be a featured instructor for varsity.com and in American Cheerleader Magazine.  Danielle also hosted podcasts highlighting the USA camp curriculum.

She is a National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Bronze Level Certified Instructor and Coach.  She is a member of the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors (AACCA). She has her First Aid and CPR Certification.

Danielle received her Bachelor's Degree from California State University, Northridge in Cinema and Television Arts.  She is currently in graduate school at Azusa Pacific University in pursuit of her Master’s in Education and Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential.

She developed for cheer-skills locally by amazing cheerleading coaches in our area including:

§     Christa McAuliffe Elementary School (1992-1994) - Captain 

§     Fremont Intermediate School (1995) - Captain 

§     Robert J. Frank Intermediate School (1996) - Co-Captain 

§     Rio Mesa High School (1997-2000) - Captain 

§     Ventura College (2000-2003) - Captain, Nationally ranked in Co-Ed and All-Girl Divisions 

§     Club Cheer Twisters (2004) - Captain, Top three at the USA's Nationals in the Co-Ed Open Team Division 

Here are some fun facts about “Coach D”:

Zodiac Sign: Pisces   
  
Hometown and State: Oxnard, Ca   
  
High School(s) Attended: Rio Mesa High School   
  
Stunt positions: Flyer, Back Spot, Main Base, Secondary Base   
  
Tumbling Skills: Standing Back Hand Spring, Standing Back Tuck, and Round-off Back Hand Spring Back Tuck   
  
Favorite Movie: Wizard of Oz or Singing in the Rain   
  
Favorite Food: Sopes or Tacos de Papas   
  
Favorite part about Cheer: As a former Ventura College cheerleader, I am so proud and honored to keep the cheerleading program at VC moving in a positive direction. I follow two amazing coaches that elevated the skill level of this program. I love developing our cheerleaders into strong student athletes, as well as, poised responsible young adults. Go Pirates!   
  
If you had to abandon ship in a hurry, what would be the one thing you would grab as your "pirate's booty" My boyfriend and our dog Mandi!