PROVO, Utah — Longtime Cougarettes Coach Jodi Maxfield today announced she is retiring this spring after 30 years at BYU. Maxfield has led the Cougarettes to 19 NDA Collegiate Cheer & Dance National Titles, two United Spirit Association National Championships, a Dance Team Union College Classic Title and two Prague Dance Festival Grand Prix Championships. She will be honored at halftime of the BYU-Saint Mary's men's basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 1.
“It’s been a blessing for me and my family to have been associated with BYU through these many years,” Maxfield said. “I love the young women I’ve had the opportunity to coach and mentor. I’ve had the opportunity to work with the very best at BYU. They are passionate about dancing, and I’m grateful that we’ve had the chance to be ambassadors for BYU.”
Under Maxfield’s guidance, the Cougarettes won five NDA Open Division/Jazz IA championships (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019), six NDA Hip Hop Division IA championships (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019) and eight NDA Team Performance Division IA championships (1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010). They were also United Spirit Association National Champions in 2005 and 2006.
“I want to express my appreciation to Jodi for the many years of dedicated service to the Cougarettes program and BYU Athletics,” said BYU Director of Athletics Tom Holmoe. “She is truly a legendary coach in the world of college dance and leaves an incredible legacy of success at BYU. I’m especially grateful to Jodi for the love, mentoring and positive impact she’s had on the many young women who have come through the Cougarettes program through the years.”
For Maxfield and the Cougarettes, last season was a whirlwind of success. In February they were chosen to represent the United States in the hip-hop division at the International Cheer Union World Cheerleading Championships. In April they were featured on the front cover of Dance Spirit magazine and later that month captured national championships in both jazz and hip hop at the NDA Collegiate Cheer & Dance Championship. A few week later they captured the Silver medal for the USA at the world championships. In late May and early June, they wrapped up an incredible year as part of BYU’s China Spectacular tour throughout Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai.
“It felt like we went from one big moment to the next,” said Maxfield. “The young women on that team were there for a reason. It was an incredible group and a special year that I’ll never forget.”
Maxfield will officially retire at the end of April after she leads the Cougarettes to a final NDA Collegiate Cheer & Dance National Championship appearance in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Over her 30-year career Maxfield has won numerous awards and honors for innovative choreography. In 2003 and 2004, she was recognized as one of the Nation's Outstanding Directors. In March of 2013 she appeared on the cover of the Dance Teacher magazine. She has also been active in community, church and university service throughout her career, serving on various committees and boards for talent awards and scholarships. From 2018-present she has served as president of the National Dance Coaches Association College Coaches Division.
A native of Midvale, Utah, Maxfield began dancing at the age of eight. She came to BYU in 1976 as a dance major and made the Cougarettes team as a freshman. Following three seasons as a Cougarette, Maxfield accepted a job to coach the drill team at her alma mater Hillcrest High School in 1979. After seven years of coaching and teaching, she left Hillcrest to open a dance studio in 1986 with a close friend and teammate who she had danced with as a Cougarette. While running the studio she also choregraphed Cougarettes routines. In 1991, Maxfield accepted an offer to become the Cougarettes coach at BYU.
She is married to John Scott Maxfield. They have three children Aaron (Lindsay), McCall (Nicholas), and Dustin (Noel). They also have six grandchildren.
A search for the new Cougarettes coach will begin immediately.