Prof. knows how to get her cheer on

LAFAYETTE -- Shorna Broussard is an assistant professor at Purdue University. She also is a rookie cheerleader with the Indianapolis Colts.\n"Being from Texas, you grow up loving football," she said with a laugh. "It is part of the culture."\nLast spring, Broussard began the audition process with almost 300 other women. She survived several cuts to earn one of the 35 roster spots.\nBroussard is the only assistant professor on the squad. Other cheerleaders are college students, a receptionist, a graphics artist, sales executives and a process engineer.\nA dancer since childhood, Broussard said being a Colts cheerleader is a challenge she is eager to accept. She is one of 15 rookies.\n"I see this as the next step in my dance career," she said. "I am able to keep myself in serious training, do charity work and meet a great group of girls."\nBroussard has a doctorate from Oregon State University. At Purdue, she works in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources as a researcher and instructor. Her academic focus is on the environment and how public policy is formed.\nA member of the League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette, Broussard said she is interested in the political aspects of environmental policy.\n"I want to get information out to people," she said.\nShe said she has learned how to balance her academic career with her new cheerleading adventure. She has two four-hour practices a week in Indianapolis and maintains a personal conditioning regimen in Lafayette.\nBroussard said she was never a cheerleader in high school or college.\n"I started in gymnastics at a young age and was involved in dance," she said. "This isn't like being a college cheerleader. There is no stunting.\n"The major things we think about on the field are fan involvement and team support."\nShe described the Colts cheerleaders as ambassadors for the team and organization.\n"Showmanship is extremely important on the field," she said. "We also must perform at the highest level."\nBroussard said the Colts help the cheerleaders stay in shape at an Indianapolis gym and with personal trainers.\nBeing a lifelong football fan also helped her pass the auditions.\n"The audition process includes a test on football terminology, Colts history, and the Colts players," Broussard said.\nShe said the Dallas Cowboys and former Houston Oilers used to be her favorite NFL teams. No more.\n"The Colts certainly are my favorite team. I have my Colts license plate, my Colts checks ... all things Colts," she said. After growing up in Nederland, Texas, which is east of Houston, Broussard earned an undergraduate degree in 1995 at Penn State University.\n"Now, I'm a Purdue fan and have had season tickets to the games," she said.