Nicholas Stanton brings over two decades of competitive cheerleading leadership to Gotham Cheer, built at the intersection of athletics, education, and advocacy. A Bronx native and first-generation college graduate, Nicholas holds an M.A. in Political Science from St John’s, where he also served as Head Cheerleading Coach of the co-ed Red Storm program, an NCAA Division I team that earned an NCAA March Madness appearance and a Legends Classic Championship during his tenure. He currently serves as Head Cheer Coach at LIU Brooklyn, building the program from the ground up as part of LIU’s four-time consecutive national championship legacy.

Nicholas’s coaching philosophy is rooted in discipline, culture, and genuine care for student-athletes, values shaped by his own path as a first-gen American of Puerto Rican heritage and a lifelong advocate for queer visibility in athletics and education. His work extends beyond the mat: he is an active voice for LGBTQ+ inclusion and food insecurity advocacy across the youth development and nonprofit sectors, carrying forward a legacy of community service instilled by his late aunt, a lifelong Bronx advocate. At Gotham Cheer, Nicholas leads with the same mission that has defined his career: building programs, and people, that last beyond the trophies.