Tennessee State University

Dwight N. Pope is a proud alumnus of Tennessee State University currently serving as the Spirit Coordinator for the Cheer and Dance programs. He is currently in his 27^th season as the head coach for the cheerleading program and 10^th season for dance in 2020-21.

He is AACCA, NCSSE, USA Cheer, NCA Judge and Coach certified in the sport of cheer and dance.  He has judged national and international competitions for several major cheerleading and dance companies such as NCA, UCA, America's Best, Champion Cheer, Spirit Unlimited, WSF Cheer, JamFest, AmeriCheer & Dance and was selected as an alternate judge for World's just to name a few. Selected as Who’s Who of Cheerleading Coaches for the 2010 edition of American Cheerleader. During his tenure as the head coach for the Spirit programs, he has graduated over 210 young adults that are now corporate lawyers, airline pilots, school principals, entrepreneurs, and NFL/NBA cheerleaders for various teams.

Coach Pope is the owner and founder of the Back2Basics Cheer Camps for high schools and middle schools here in the state of Tennessee. His Back2Basics Camp is one of two companies Metro Schools can only choose from the Board Of Education. He also serves on the board for the Alignment Nashville Partnerships for Summer Program Opportunities.

He served as a panel judge for the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders and now trains several athletes for the NFL/NBA Cheerleading and Dance Arena. Other licenses and certifications include Cosmetology Instructor, Event Planner & Management, Production Assistant and Stage Director.