University of Arkansas at Monticello Athletics

Julie Barnes was hired as the Head Cheerleading Coach in July of 2018. She is no stranger to Arkansas-Monticello as she cheered for the Weevils in the late 90s, and she has worked at UAM since October of 2012.

Barnes is currently the Director of End User Support for the Department of Information Technology. She graduated from UAM in December of 2000 with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems.      

Julie cheered for the Fordyce Redbugs from 1992 to 1996 and cheered for UAM in 1996 and 1999. Barnes has also been a judge for junior high and high schools across Southern Arkansas since 2000.

Julie resides in Monticello and has a daughter named Avery.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello Cheerleaders actively support both football and basketball programs during their respective seasons and represent the university in national competition each spring. Under the direction of Coach Barnes, the team has achieved notable success at the NCA Collegiate Cheer National Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida, earning three 5th place finishes and one 6th place finish between 2022 and 2025. A summary of recent program accomplishments is provided below. For more information regarding opportunities to join the UAM Cheer program, please contact Coach Barnes at BarnesJ@uamont.edu.