An Incredible First Year as an Eagles Cheerleader and a Two-Time Drexel Graduate

Erin Nipps celebrated the Eagles’ Super Bowl win on the field at the Super Dome. Photo courtesy Erin Nipps.

Erin Nipps will always remember her first year after she earned her second degree from Drexel University.

She turned a grad school internship into a part-time job that led to a full-time position she started last June ­— which was also when she made the squad as a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader. That means that during her rookie season, the Eagles won the Super Bowl.

“It still feels surreal to look back on how everything aligned perfectly,” said Nipps. 

She graduated from the Dana and David Dornsife School of Public Health, earning a BS in public health in 2023 and then completing an MPH in health management and policy in 2024 (with an additional minor in project management). 

Just after she came back from Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans and rode through Philadelphia as part of the the Eagles parade, Nipps took the time to reflect on everything at Drexel that has helped her get to this point. The below Q&A has been lightly edited.   

Q: How has it been starting your first post-graduation, full-time job during your first year as an Eagles cheerleader?

A: It all happened so fast. I found out I made the team at the start of June, graduated with my MPH in the middle of the month and then jumped into my full-time role at the end of June. Honestly, it was the most fulfilling month of my life! All my hard work, passions and years of studying, interning and dancing at Drexel came together, and I was just overwhelmed — excited, relieved and definitely a little emotional.

It’s been a busy year, to say the least, but I wouldn’t change a thing! I’m basically a walking to-do list — sometimes it’s waking up at the crack of dawn to do a news appearance, rushing to work, squeezing in an appearance after work or practice, and preparing for game days at the Linc on a Monday, Thursday or Sunday! I take it day by day and week by week, keeping everything in check with my color-coded Google Calendar (it’s my lifeline). I’ve always loved staying busy, so balancing everything feels like a fun challenge — like fitting pieces into a puzzle and watching it all come together!

Q: What do you do as an Eagles Cheerleader?

A: As cheerleaders, we cheer alongside 70,000 fans at home games, but that’s just the beginning.

We’re really involved in the community, which is such a huge part of our role. Being brand ambassadors and philanthropists is one of the most rewarding aspects of our job. We raise funds all season long for the Eagles Autism Challenge, a one-day event that includes a bike ride and a 5k run/walk that starts and ends at the stadium. We also host All Abilities Clinics, where we create a welcoming space for individuals with special needs to enjoy cheer and dance. And it doesn’t stop there — we get involved with all kinds of community events and charities, like Eagles Youth Football Clinics, cheer clinics, the Kids Club Halloween Party and many visits to have fun with the children at the Ronald McDonald House and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. We are also very proud to be a part of Goodwill Military Tours, having the unique opportunity to travel around the world to support our military bases. Two of our teammates travelled to Hawaii with Armed Forces Entertainment this past month and had the experience of a lifetime.

Erin Nipps leads Mental Health First Aid trainings as part of her work as a public health program analyst in the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health. Photo courtesy Erin Nipps.

Q: What has it been like working with the team (and their fans!) all the way up to the Super Bowl?

A: Game days at the Linc? Unreal. I tear up during the National Anthem every single time. Philly fans are next-level passionate. We feel the entire stadium vibrating with excitement, and that’s what drives us!

We kick things off with a pregame routine at center field, followed by two quarter break dances. And every time the Eagles score, we rush to center field to do the “Fly Eagles Fly” dance — hands down, my favorite part. Every game, we’re split into four sideline squads, rotating through different sections of the stadium, so we get to experience the game from every angle. 

My favorite home game by far this year was our snow bowl (when the Eagles won the divisional round) against the Los Angeles Rams! It was magical to be out there on the field dancing in what felt like a giant Eagles snow globe!

Q: How was the Super Bowl? Can you share what the lead-up was like, what you did during the game and what happened afterwards?

A: The Super Bowl was a dream come true. Leading up to it, we had three back-to-back home playoff games and a ton of appearances, one of my favorites being the drone show at the Philadelphia Museum of Art! We also learned a new quarter break dance for the Super Bowl, which meant squeezing in practice around our busy schedules. It was one jam-packed weekend, and one of the absolute highlights was the Super Bowl-hosted parade. We walked three miles through the French Quarter, cheering alongside thousands of fans. The energy was off the charts, and it was awesome to feel the Philly spirit all the way in Louisiana.

On game day, we were split into two groups on the Eagles sideline, dancing throughout the game. And every time the Eagles scored, we ran to center field to do our “Fly Eagles Fly” dance, just like we do at home games. It was amazing to bring that tradition to the Super Dome.

When the Eagles won, we immediately rushed onto the field to celebrate with confetti angels, hugs, happy tears and way too many pictures (I’ll never get enough of those!). At that moment, all I could think was, “This is everything we worked for, everything we dreamed of … and now, we’ve finally made it!” As a rookie, I honestly couldn’t believe it was happening.

Erin Nipps, right, with fellow Eagles cheerleaders during the Eagles Parade on Feb. 14. Photo courtesy Erin Nipps.

Q: How was the Super Bowl parade?

A: It was truly unforgettable. After experiencing the energy of New Orleans’ parade, it was surreal to bring that excitement back to Philadelphia, the city I’ve called home for the past six years. 

Riding in the Eagles parade on Valentine’s Day, in the “city of brotherly love,” felt like the perfect way to celebrate. Surrounded by over a million passionate Eagles fans, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for this incredible city. Cruising up Broad Street from the stadium to the Art Museum, I realized how lucky I am to be part of such a special place. When we reached the steps and joined in the “Fly Eagles Fly” chant, it was the most perfect way to show love for our team and this city. I’ll cherish this moment forever, and I’m beyond thankful to have been part of it.

Q: What made you want to be an Eagles cheerleader?

A: I grew up in Washington Township, New Jersey, just about 30 minutes outside of Philadelphia, so I’ve been an Eagles fan for as long as I can remember. We even had “Philadelphia Sports Days” in elementary school, where my mom would dress me up in my Eagles skirt! Watching games with my family and friends was always a tradition, and I loved going to the stadium. 

When I moved to Philly for Drexel, I knew becoming an Eagles cheerleader was a dream I had to chase. I was on the Drexel Dance Team, performing pom, hip-hop and jazz — styles that are essential to the Eagles cheerleading squad. That experience played a huge role in preparing me for auditions and ultimately made me feel ready to take that leap.

Erin Nipps photographed on the staircase in Drexel’s Main Building for her 2024 MPH commencement. Photo taken by Brandon Lam Photography. Photo courtesy Erin Nipps.

Q: What made you choose Drexel for your first and second degrees?

A: In high school, I was set on becoming a physical therapist. I was passionate about helping people recover and improve their quality of life. But as I started to think more about my future, something shifted. I realized I wanted to have a broader impact — one that could reach entire communities. That’s when I discovered Drexel’s Dornsife School of Public Health, with its focus on health equity. I knew I was on the right path the moment I stepped into my first “Public Health 101” class during freshman year.

Throughout my time at Drexel, I had the incredible opportunity to dive deeper into my passions and gain invaluable experiences. From working as a research assistant at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute to completing a co-op at Independence Blue Cross, each experience challenged me and helped me grow. One of the most transformative experiences was studying addiction and harm reduction in Copenhagen, Denmark, through Drexel’s Intensive Courses Abroad (ICA) program. It gave me a global perspective on public health and solidified my desire to make a real difference.

As I continued my MPH, I needed an applied practical experience that would connect all my studies with real-world applications. That’s when fate intervened. At the 2023 Eagles Cheer Finals, I met an Eagles cheerleader who worked in public health, and she encouraged me to apply for the City of Philadelphia Mayor’s Internship Program, which I did. After three rounds of interviews, I received an internship with the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services (DBHIDS) in the Education and Training Unit. The experience was transformative, allowing me to apply everything I had learned in a tangible, impactful way.

After the internship, I was offered a part-time position with the unit while finishing my graduate degree, and upon graduation, I accepted a full-time role as a public health program analyst for the City of Philadelphia. It was a full-circle moment that made all the hard work feel so worth it.

My public health education from Drexel has given me the foundation to help create educational programs and teach thousands of community members about Mental Health First Aid — a program that empowers people to understand and address mental health and substance use challenges. It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to make a tangible difference in the lives of so many people.

Erin Nipps cheering in the snow in the Divisional Round of the playoffs — one of her favorite memories of her rookie season. Photo courtesy Erin Nipps.

Q: You mentioned doing different dance styles with Drexel’s Dance Team. How else has that helped you prepare for the Eagles?

A: I had an amazing experience on the team. As captain during my senior year, I was part of a group that led Drexel to compete in Division 1 Pom at Universal Dance Association’s Battle of the Northeast for the first time in over a decade. That achievement was a proud moment for all of us. 

We also connected with the community through the Drexel Dance Marathon, raising funds for the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, which provides life-saving treatments and healthcare services for children and their families.

Additionally, we helped build school spirit by engaging with students before basketball games and getting fans excited and energized for the game. These experiences highlighted the importance of fan engagement, which has been essential to my work with the Eagles. Our schedule — three three-hour practices a week, weightlifting sessions and performances at all men’s and women’s basketball home games — prepared me to manage the busy routine I now have.

Drexel’s Dance Team truly set me up for success, not only as a dancer but as someone who understands the value of community, leadership and dedication. I’m so grateful for the friendships I formed on the team.

Q:  Was there anything else you’d like to bring up?

A: I absolutely love teaching dance, and it’s something that has brought so much joy and fulfillment into my life. I teach at a nonprofit called Dancing Classrooms Philly, where I have the opportunity to work with students across Philadelphia, teaching both ballroom and hip-hop dance. One of the most impactful moments came during my final year of graduate school, when I had the privilege of teaching hip-hop to a special needs high school program. That experience truly solidified my desire to continue working with the community and aligns so closely with the mission of the Eagles Autism Foundation. I’m now piloting my very own tap dance program with Dancing Classrooms Philly — something brand new for the organization, and I can’t wait to see where it goes!

I also teach at competition dance studios and adult drop-in dance classes. I’ve found so much joy in helping young dancers grow, as well as inspiring adults to reintroduce dance into their lives, no matter their age. Teaching has become an outlet for me, especially during my graduate school years when the long hours of studying could get overwhelming. It was a way to reconnect with myself and stay grounded, and it’s something I continue to cherish. Dance has always been a part of who I am, and getting to share that passion with others is one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.