Built on Tradition, Driven by Excellence: HPU Cheer Takes the Spotlight on Sharks Weekly

This week’s Sharks Weekly featured HPU Cheer, welcoming head coach James Burns and student-athlete leaders Morgan Brennan and Kaylee Tabangay for a conversation centered on culture, leadership, and sustaining championship standards. The episode highlighted a program grounded in tradition and fueled by excellence.

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For Burns, the role carries special meaning. A former Sharks captain and proud HPU alum, he now leads the same program he once competed for. He reflected on the program’s growth—from smaller rosters and international competitions to a return to NCAA Nationals in Daytona—and the responsibility that comes with guiding it forward. Burns credits his success to blending tradition with his own coaching philosophy, emphasizing patience, accountability, and doing every detail with purpose.

That mindset was tested—and rewarded—during HPU’s return to Daytona, where the Sharks captured a national championship. Burns admitted the nerves were real in his first year as head coach, but trusting preparation and believing in his athletes allowed the team to rise to the moment. Winning raised expectations, but it also reinforced the identity Burns wants his team to carry every season.

Two of the program’s most trusted voices are Brennan and Tabangay. Burns described both as dependable leaders who help keep practices organized, positive, and focused. One of his favorite memories with Brennan came away from competition, watching her speak confidently to students during a career day visit—an example of leadership beyond the mat.

Tabangay’s connection with Burns stretches back years through island cheer and all-star programs. A former ILH Cheerleader of the Year and now a graduate student, she spoke about how meaningful it has been to finish her career under a coach who understands both the sport and Hawai‘i’s culture. For her, cheer at HPU has always been about representing home with pride.

While Daytona remains a defining highlight, both athletes shared that the moments surrounding competition—backstage rituals, pre-performance hugs, and shared trust—are what stay with them most. Tabangay laughed about Burns calling the team his “emotional support Sharks,” a phrase that perfectly captured the bond within the group.

Burns repeatedly returned to his guiding message: do everything with excellence. Clean technique, focus, and attention to detail, he said, separate good teams from great ones. When confidence wavers, his approach is simple—remind athletes who they are, why they were chosen, and what they’ve already accomplished.

Brennan offered insight into the often-overlooked role of bases, explaining that while flyers draw the spotlight, success starts underneath through composure, safety, and consistency. Tabangay emphasized leading by example, balancing discipline with relationships, and making sure younger athletes feel welcomed into the HPU ‘ohana.

As the Sharks look ahead, the foundation is firmly in place. With Burns at the helm and veteran leaders setting the tone, HPU Cheer continues to define what excellence looks like—on the mat, in the stands, and across the HPU community.