BERKELEY – California Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton announced Tuesday that Areli Kovalevskij has been named head coach of the Golden Bears' dance team and Chelsea Toler head coach of the cheerleading squad.

 "We are so excited to have Areli and Chelsea join the Cal family," Cal Chief Marketing & Communications Officer Markeisha Everett said. "They both bring a passion and vision that will help us grow our spirit program and bring energy and excitement to our athletic events. They have both demonstrated the ability to contribute to elite programs, and we look forward to that occurring here at Cal."

Kovalevskij is a 2015 graduate of UCLA, where she served one season on the yell crew and two seasons on the cheer squad. After receiving her degree in linguistics and philosophy, Kovalevskij spent three seasons as a San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleader. Kovalevskij was a member of the Golden State Warriors dance team for the past three years, and ultimately served as captain and social media lead during the team's championship run in 2022.

While with the Gold Rush and Warriors, Kovalevskij had the opportunity to cheer in international parades in China, dance an opening number for Maroon 5, and perform with artists such as A.mazin, P-Lo, and CeeLo Green.

Off the court, Kovalevskij is currently in her eighth year as a transitional kindergarten teacher at Michelle Obama Elementary in Richmond and enrolled in the master's program in health, physical education, and recreation at Emporia State University.
 
"I am committed to living up to and elevating the Cal dance team brand such as the Cal coaching legends that came before me," Kovalevskij said. "Transitioning off the court this upcoming season, I'm looking to 'pass the poms' onto the next generation of student-athletes. I hope to instill confidence, humility, joy, and agency in these dancers to help them grow in their passion and as humans."

Toler has over 20 years of experience as an athlete and professional in the cheer and dance industry. Her involvement in the sport began at age 5 when she joined her local Pop Warner cheerleading team - the Fairfield Falcons. The Bay Area native cheered competitively for seven years, culminating with her being named co-captain of the squad at Rodrigues High School in Fairfield.
 
Toler graduated from the University of Nevada in 2017 with a degree in international affairs and a minor in peace studies. While attending college, she worked as an instructor for the Universal Cheerleader Association (UCA) for three years where she was a recipient of the Varsity All-Star Apprenticeship. Cheerleading took her across the country where she gained valuable experience in event production, working for USASF competitions such as The Cheerleading Worlds and Summit.
 
Among her many years devoted to her cheerleading career, Toler is a professionally trained dancer who choreographs and teaches styles of hip-hop, jazz, and pom. She has had the opportunity to teach and dance all around the world in places such as Russia, Ukraine, and Mexico. Toler has performed at Hip-Hop International and World of Dance with Chapkis Dance Family.
 
Toler spent a year with the Oakland Raiders on the entertainment staff and also worked as an instructor for Jamz Cheer and Dance. She is currently working on her masters of communications and media at the Academy of Art University, specializing in video production.
 
"Cal Cheer will be a team dedicated to collegiate excellence, school spirit, and team unity," Toler said. "I look forward to coaching talented individuals who are committed to their academic careers while being spirited ambassadors for the Cal Bears."
 
A gift to the Cal Spirit Fund will go towards supporting the operational needs of the Cal cheerleading, dance team, and mic men. It will enable our spirit groups to be involved in our beloved Cal events, from sporting events to away games and rallies — creating bear territory wherever they go!