Spirit Groups
The UNO Dance Team, consisting of UNO students, perform at UNO men's and women's basketball games, volleyball games, pep rallies, conventions, Saint games, parades and various other activities in the city. Tryout information
Director/Choreographer: Tamica Lee
Advisor: Cheryl Champagne
Official Website
The UNO Cheerleaders, consisting of both male and female students, perform at men's and women's basketball games, volleyball games, pep rallies, and at various on-campus festivals and events. Tryouts are held in the Spring semester, and in the Fall semester (if needed).
Coach: Scott Sanchez
Advisor: Cheryl Champagne
In 1958 the University of New Orleans was founded as Louisiana State University at New Orleans. Its purpose: to bring public-supported higher education to the state's largest urban complex. In 1965, the school colors of silver and blue and the name Privateer are chosen in a vote of students.
The word Privateer is the term used to describe a pirate who was pardoned by the government and then commissioned to hunt down and dispose of other pirates!
In 1969, the University of New Orleans established an intercollegiate basketball team and competed against such teams as Tulane, Ball State, Louisiana Tech, and Louisiana Monroe, playing its home games in the Human Performance Center, nicknamed the Chamber of Horrors. In 1974 the name of the University was changed from Louisiana State University in New Orleans to the name still used today: University of New Orleans (UNO).
Twenty five years after the founding of the university, the UNO basketball teams left the Chamber of Horrors to begin playing their home games inside Lakefront Arena. The very first game of that 1983 season, Lafitte the Instigator was introduced as the official mascot of the University of New Orleans Privateers.
The name was adopted in honor of Jean Lafitte, which was the name of a local legend in New Orleans around the 1800's as one of the most famous pirates commissioned to eradicate the growing threat of pirates, thereby becoming a Privateer!
For the first 14 seasons, the University of New Orleans basketball teams played in Human Performance Center, then affectionately called “The Chamber of Horrors!” For those first years, it was very common to see creatures such as these roaming around this building during the games, striking fear into the hearts of the visiting teams.
The University of New Orleans basketball teams have now returned and have once again established an exciting atmosphere full of creatures to strike fear as well as raise spirits. Now, with the “Return to the Chamber”, the University of New Orleans is proud to introduce it's newest member of the family...
Please welcome “AIR PIERRE!”
Pierre was the name of the older brother of Jean Lafitte as well as his most trusted companion. Jean even named his first son Pierre in honor of his brother.
So now we too are honored by his presence and truly look forward to a wonderful future full of Privateer Pride and lots of fun!
--Taken from the December 1, 1983 edition of The Driftwood
Let's give a cheer for old UNO,
Fling out her banner forward we go
Come on let's carry her colors Silver and Blue
Shout out her praises true.
U-N-O
Our Privateers will march on to fame,
New Orleans glory they will claim,
So let that UNO spirit frighten our foe,
Let's hear it for UNO!
The UNO Pep Band, called the Blue Zoo, consists of musicians from the UNO student body, Faculty/Staff and members of the UNO community. The Blue Zoo performs at UNO basketball games and various other campus and community events. The band organizes each year in the Fall semester.
Band Leader: Jimmie Reamey
Advisor: Cheryl Champagne
RIS would like to gratefully acknowledge the UNO Student Government (SG) for their involvement in some of our programs.
