Hockey Cheer

Augustana Hockey Cheer will launch as part of the university's club sports offerings in Fall 2026, under the direction of Augustana Club Figure Skating Head Coach Riley Block. Augustana Hockey Cheer will support its NCAA Division I Viking Hockey Team and potentially, its club hockey teams during home games at Midco Arena.

Combining cheer and figure skating, Augustana Hockey Cheer is responsible for energizing fans both in the stands and on the ice during games — including participating in the starting lineup and occasionally performing during period breaks.

Unlike other programs that Block has seen, Augustana Hockey Cheer would allow its athletes to participate in the stands, on the ice or both. They could also be a part of the hockey cheer and club figure skating programs at the same time. Together, the club figure skating and hockey cheer programs would give its student-athletes approximately 8+ hours of ice time each week, plus time away from the rink to work on lifts and stunts. 

Riley Block is the inaugural head coach of Augustana Club Figure Skating. Block, a Sioux Falls native, has been the director of the Sioux Falls Figure Skating Club (SFFSC), overseeing its general programming, as well as the founder and director of its Hockey Academy and High School Hockey Cheer Team.

Block also serves as the program coordinator for the South Dakota Theatre on Ice Team and was the competition director of the first adult United States Figure Skating (USFS) competition in South Dakota, which showcased 130 athletes for the 2024 Adult Midwestern Sectionals Championship. She has been a professional Ice Sports Industry (ISI) and USFS coach for 10+ years, and has developed skaters through Gold Skating Skills, Pre Gold Freeskate test, as well as represented skaters in regional and national competitions.