Carly Hays and Laney Duchene are making the most of their college experience in their hometown. As UMKC students and cheerleaders for the Kansas City Chiefs, they’re balancing time in the classroom and gamedays in the loudest stadium in the world.
Hays and Duchene share deep connections to Kansas City, a city that has shaped their identities and ambitions. Hays, who moved to Kansas City from St. Louis at an early age, considers herself a true Kansas Citian.
“Kansas City is where I grew up and where I’ve built my life,” she said.
Duchene, a lifelong resident of Independence, Missouri, shares a similar sentiment. “I loved that UMKC was close to home,” she said. “I get the perks of living at home while attending college.”
For Duchene, the decision to attend UMKC was all about family. “My dad and sisters also attended UMKC, so it feels like a family tradition,” she said.
Hays, on the other hand, was drawn to UMKC for its strong physician assistant program in the School of Medicine, which allowed her to stay close to home after completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri in Columbia.
Since arriving on their respective campuses, Hays and Duchene have thrived at UMKC, where they’ve found supportive communities and opportunities to grow.
Hays notes that her first year was full of both rewarding and challenging experiences.
“This was the most mentally and physically challenging thing I’ve ever done,” she said. “I had to completely relearn how to study, but the support from my cohort and faculty has been incredible.”
Duchene, a senior studying business administration with a marketing emphasis at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management, credits her professors and the course curriculum with preparing her for her future.
“My classes have been incredibly practical,” she said. “I’ve learned so much about professional communication, which has translated directly into what I do with the Chiefs.”
Both students’ experiences at UMKC have directly influenced their roles as Chiefs cheerleaders. Hays’ background as a competitive dancer and a member of the Mizzou Golden Girls dance team prepared her for the demands of professional cheerleading.
“Dance is my escape when school gets heavy, and school is my escape when dance gets heavy,” she said.
Duchene’s time on the KC Roos Dance Team helped her transition back into the dance world after taking a break to focus on academics.
“Joining the Roos team got me back in the groove and really helped prepare me for the Chiefs,” she said.
Despite both students’ having extensive dance backgrounds, they both quickly learned making the Chiefs squad would require more homework.
“We also had to participate in interviews, answer questions about Chiefs history and demonstrate our knowledge of the game,” Hays said.
Once past this stage, they advanced to in-person finals, a three-day event involving choreography, public speaking and media training. Hays is currently in her second year with Chiefs Cheer and notes some audition advantages for returning members.
“Veteran candidates skip the preliminary rounds, but every cheerleader must earn their spot back each season,” Hays said.
Duchene, a rookie, recalls how challenging the process was: “It’s not just about dancing, it’s about representing the brand with professionalism and knowledge.”
On gamedays, their routines begin long before the stadium fills with fans.
“Depending on the time of the game, we get up as early as 4 a.m. and show up to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium ready in our hair and makeup,” Duchene said. “The atmosphere is electric, and the bond with my teammates makes it all worth it.”
“Stepping onto the field at Arrowhead is an unforgettable experience,” Hays said. “It’s a mix of pride and adrenaline.”
UMKC is an official higher education partner of the Chiefs, a partnership both Hays and Duchene say they’ve loved experiencing firsthand. Hays specifically notes the significance of seeing UMKC signage in Arrowhead Stadium.
“When I’m on the field, I see the UMKC banner, and it’s like my two worlds coming together,” she said.
Duchene agrees, recalling a memorable moment when UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal walked by as the cheerleaders prepared to take the field.
“Seeing him walk on the field with other UMKC students and seeing the UMKC logo at Arrowhead during games is such an honor,” she said.
The connection between UMKC and the Chiefs is more than symbolic for Hays and Duchene, it’s engrained into their practices as well. UMKC alumna Stephanie Judah (BBA '95), who serves as the director of entertainment teams for the Kansas City Chiefs, plays a key role in guiding both Hays and Duchene in their journey with the team.
"UMKC was a huge part of my life and education. During my time at UMKC and the Bloch School, I was also a Chiefs Cheerleader," Judah said. "To now have two cheerleaders that are currently UMKC students is such a wonderful thing. It is like bringing two worlds together. It is a special bond that will connect us forever."
Hays and Duchene also take pride in representing Kansas City on and off the field. Through her clinical experiences at University Health, Carly has been able to serve the community that shaped her.
“UMKC’s partnership with University Health allows me to provide care to Kansas Citians,” she said. “It’s a great representation of giving back to the city that raised me.”
For Duchene, the sense of camaraderie within the Chiefs organization has been a highlight of her experience.
“The Chiefs team feels like a big family,” she said. “We’re so lucky to have this incredible bond.”
As Hays continues her journey in the physician assistant program and Duchene prepares to graduate in May, both students have their sights set on the future. Hays is focused on completing her degree and continuing to balance her dual passions. Duchene hopes to stay with the Chiefs while pursuing a career in marketing.
“Being part of UMKC and the Chiefs has been an unforgettable experience,” Duchene said. “It’s a privilege to celebrate both in such meaningful ways.”