Shines as a Cheerleader at UK
Photos provided by UK Athletics
Owensboro native Khalil Rogers is making a name for himself as a cheerleader at the University of Kentucky. But his journey to Big Blue Nation started on a different path back in his hometown. Rogers attended Owensboro High School, where he was known for his athleticism on the football field and the track. He credits the Owensboro community for helping shape his drive and dedication. “The community has been really supportive. Our school has so much tradition, and the community comes out to like every game,” he says.
Rogers didn’t initially set his sights on cheerleading. It wasn’t until his senior year that he gave it a try. “The cheer coach came and was trying to ask a bunch of boys to come out and try it because they needed more boys. So, me and my friends, we just came to a practice, and then I stuck with it,” he recalls. That coach, Heather Cavitt, introduced Rogers to a sport he quickly loved. His enthusiasm for cheerleading grew, and when it came time to choose a sport at the college level, Rogers decided to leave football behind and follow this new passion.
“Ever since I started cheer, I loved it,” he explains. “Originally, I was going to play football in college, but I decided I wanted to try something different.” The switch surprised some people, but Rogers says it was the right move for him. “Everybody was really surprised at me for that, but, you know, it was something that I really turned out to love.”
Now, as a cheerleader for the Wildcats, Rogers has found his place on a team that feels like home. “Everything about UK and the team is very welcoming, open arms. It feels like my family now,” he shares. Being part of a high-caliber program comes with its challenges, though. “It is not easy to do what we do here. It’s very hard. During this time, October and November, we’re getting ready for Big Blue Madness and nationals, so we’re practicing every single day. Our bodies are hurting, but it is rewarding at the end of the day.”
So far, one of Rogers’ favorite moments has been performing at Big Blue Madness, the annual event that kicks off the UK basketball season. “My favorite time of the year is now. It’s our biggest performance of the year. We perform for about 20,000 people, and the energy is just so electric.” The performance is a five-minute routine filled with flips, stunts and tumbling, and Rogers says it’s an experience he won’t forget.
Balancing the demands of a celebrated cheer program with academics requires discipline. “You have to plan,” he said. “For me personally, I have a planner. I write all my stuff down. I make time throughout the day to go to my study hours before and after practice. That just helps me keep up with everything.” Rogers emphasizes that grades are just as important as athletic performance. “School comes first more than anything, because if you don’t have the grades, you can’t do anything.”
For Rogers, being a cheerleader is more than just athleticism—it’s about representing his hometown on a larger stage. “It means a lot, because I feel like Owensboro doesn’t really get a lot of recognition for stuff like this,” he says. “Just to be able to cheer here at such a big university, and just have people know who I am, is big.”
With his sights set on winning a national championship with his team this season, Rogers is focused on pushing through the tough practices and building a legacy at UK. “When I leave here at the University of Kentucky, I want to be a person that everybody can look back on and be like, ‘Dang, I wish I was like him.’ I want to be seen as a role model and leader,” he says.
Looking ahead, Rogers hopes to take his skills and leadership beyond the cheerleading mat. Majoring in criminal justice, he’s planning for a future career in law enforcement. “Hopefully, I’ll take that and get into the FBI,” he says. It’s an ambitious goal, but if his time at UK has shown anything, it’s that Khalil Rogers knows how to turn a leap of faith into success. OL