Last Wednesday McNeese beat Stephen F. Austin 76-59 in the Southland tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to next week’s NCAA tournament. The Cowboys made NCAA tourney appearances in 2024/2025 and were able to make it 3 years in a row by winning 28+ games for the 3rd year in a row. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with McNeese Cowgirl Kicker Hallie Marie Kleckley about being a captain and making the NCAA tourney.
You are from Lake Charles, LA: what made you choose McNeese? My sister and some other family members went to school here, so it was always my dream to come here and be on the dance team.
You are majoring in marketing: how did you choose that subject? My family owns a retail business and I also own a dance studio, so marketing is a big part of running a business. I love social media and producing things so marketing comes naturally to me.
You are a SR: what is the post-graduation plan? I still have a little more school left to do before I finish up next year. After that I plan to try out for some pro teams and continue my dance career.
You are captain of the dance team for the 2nd year in a row: what is the key to being a good leader? Just being positive, looking for the best outcomes, and trusting God. You must put your best foot forward when talking with your team: good communication is very important.
You own a dance studio where you teach daily classes (www.halliemarieandcompany.net): how do you balance being a student/dancer/business owner? It is crazy, but I am used to it because I have always filled my plate up to the tip-top. I started my studio in high school when I was 16 years old: my family helps me a lot and supports me so it works out very well. I was able to program it the way I want so everything runs smoothly. There is very little time left in each week, but when you love what you do it is easy.
In the Southland tourney the Cowboys had a 3-OT win over UTRGV in the semifinals and a win over SFA in the title game: how exhausted were you after the 1st game, and how excited were you after the 2nd game? We were exhausted after the 1st 1 but it was nothing too crazy. We have 6AM practices and workouts during the week so our bodies/minds are prepared. We had a doubleheader the other day with our men’s & women’s teams but we just cheered them on as always.
Last season you had major surgery but recovered in time for March Madness: how is your health doing, and what is your favorite memory from last year’s NCAA tourney? It is great: the surgery put into perspective how important your health is. My favorite memory was knowing that I could push through: I would not sure if I could make it back onto the court, but anything is possible with God.
How does your school decide who gets to attend the NCAA tourney, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? There are only 12 spots on the court for spirit groups so we bring 6 cheerleaders/6 dancers. It runs by seniority and we love being there for our school and hyping everyone up. To get to do this for the 2nd year in a row: I know it will be great.
Does your squad have anything extra-special planned for next week? Not as of now: our national competition is a couple weeks away so while we are cheering for the men’s team we will practice wherever we can: in the hallway, in the parking lot, anywhere!
Any predictions for next week? We made our guesses at practice yesterday. The team has a strong bond and feeds off our energy so I think they will do great!
