News Archive
Milford Names Nia’ Brightwell New Competition Cheer Coach
The Milford Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of Nia’ Brightwell as the new head coach of the Milford Competition Cheerleading Program. Brightwell comes to Milford after a long stint within the schools and community in Lawrenceburg, IN. Her hiring is pending approval by the Milford Exempted Village School District Board of Education.
Since May 2017, Brightwell has served as the Head Varsity Cheerleading Coch and Program Director of the Lawrenceburg High School program. She added the role of Dance Director to her resume in April 2022. Since August 2023, Brightwell has been the Regional Student and Family Services Manager within the IDEA Public Schools. Also a licensed social worker, Brightwell has been the CEO/Owner of Mind Elevation Counseling and Coaching for the past two years.
“We are ecstatic to introduce the next leader of our award-winning competitive cheer program, Coach Nia’ Brightwell,” Milford Director of Athletics Aaron Zupka stated. “Coach Brightwell brings extensive experience in choreography, including as an OASSA judge, and has more than seven years of experience running a competitive cheer program. In addition, her background as a Sports Mental Health Therapist and Licensed Social Worker will be beneficial in helping our athletes grow in all aspects of becoming well-rounded young adults. The pride, prestige, and history of Milford Cheer is unmatched in Southwest Ohio and I'm excited to have Coach Brightwell on board to bring the fire!”
“I am honored to be selected as the head coach of Milford High School’s prestigious three-time national winning competition cheerleading team,” Brightwell added. “I look forward to building on the existing legacy, creating new accomplishments, and achieving new goals with this iconic team, while also focusing on the all-around athlete, sports performance, mental health, team cohesiveness, positivity, and elevation. This is our year Milford Competition Cheer!”
Brightwell also brings extensive experience as a choreographer and judge to her new role. In addition to the experience garnered at Lawrenceburg High, she’s served in coaching roles at Greendale Middle School, Woodlands Elite and Wildfire Elite Cheer Academy.
Brightwell is a graduate of Lawrenceburg High School, Ivy Tech Community College and a two-time graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University where she earned both Bachelors and Master’s degrees in Social Work.
