ROCHESTER, Mich. - Oakland University has lost a longtime member of the athletics department, as Teri Cherian has stepped down after 11 years as head coach of Images, the university???s dance team. Cherian made tremendous strides in making Images a competitive and well respected program. In 1999 they competed at the UDA regional championships for the first time, finishing third. The following year, the squad qualified for the UDA National Championships for the first time. In 10 years of competing, Images has won four regional championships and qualified for the UDA Nationals nine times. They have finished among the top 10 every single year with their best finish being a second place in 2001. Cherian has expanded the role of Images both on and off the court. Since Cherian???s arrival, they have gone from performing at just basketball games to performing at almost all home athletic events. They have helped promote Oakland University in the community of Rochester by performing at Dancing in the Street, Arts and Apples and the Rochester Parade. Cherian has involved the squad in numerous charities such as the Relay for Life, Special Olympics, March of Dimes, and the Red Cross among others. Cherian has been involved in judging dance team competitions at the regional and national level for the past seven years. Cherian and her husband, Bobby, recently welcomed an addition to their family with the birth of their daughter, Alexandra Elisabeth. -30-