Insider Alerts

Introducing the Independent Event Producers

The Independent Event Producers was formed in August to represent the cheer and dance industry’s independently owned event companies. The IEP alliance, which is also open to international event companies, intends to form an inclusive group where its members can  network, communicate and develop cross-marketing ideas to generate greater awareness of independent events. More than 20 global event producers have already joined, and the organization welcomes any company that’s not owned or maintained by another spirit industry entity who has an annual gross revenue of $5 million or more. For more info, visit weareiep.com.

Varsity Updates

Varsity Launches Online Community

The new “Community” feature on Varsity.com will give teams the ability to create profiles showcasing awards and traditions, upload pictures and videos and share camp experiences. It will even include information about mascots. Through a partnership with Shutterfly Share sites, teams and families can safely share photos and videos, order prints of squad photos and create photo books. Coaches will also be able to manage their team’s schedules with a calendar feature that allows them to plan practices, meetings and game activities in one location. Explore the new community here.
In addition, Varsity.com began hosting an original news show called Varsity News Now on its site in October, covering events, breaking cheer news and more. The show is new every Wednesday on Varsity TV. Check it out here.

Varsity and Cookie Jar Form Partnership

Varsity announced Cookie Jar Group as the exclusive licensing agent and entertainment partner for the company, helping to launch Varsity-branded merchandise and entertainment in 2010. This partnership will initially target girls ages 7 to 18 with a variety of consumer products, including apparel, health and beauty aids, accessories and interactive programs that capture the spirit of cheerleading. Cookie Jar will also leverage the inspirational aspects of cheerleading with girls ages 3 through 6 with toys, publications, apparel and dress-up clothes.
In addition to developing branded merchandise, Cookie Jar plans to develop both live-action and animated original programming that focuses on the talent and experiences of today’s cheerleaders, as well as the cheerleaders of tomorrow. For more, visit varsity.com.

UPA AmeriCup Updates

United Performing Association (UPA) is now offering Sideline Cheer divisions at the AmeriCup Cheer & Dance Championship, which is open to all elementary, middle school, JV and varsity school teams. Teams will be able to compete in these new divisions in Minneapolis, MN, February 18–21.
In addition to creating the new divisions, UPA is asking athletes, coaches, directors and judges to share how the organization has impacted their lives. A Red Carpet Academy Awards Celebration, which is part of the 2010 Get the Star Treatment with UPA initiative, will be held on February 20 and will recognize individuals and their stories. Also part of this initiative is the Purple Party, which will be held on February 19. Attendees are encouraged to wear purple from head to toe and enjoy contests and prizes. For more info, visit upainc.net.

New iPhone Cheer Apps

The U.S. All Star Federation (USASF) released an iPhone/iTouch application featuring cheer rules (sorted by level and category), an age grid and a glossary. You can access the text-only rules without connecting to WiFi. To find the app, search “USASF Rule Book” in iTunes, where you’ll also be able to find app updates.
Global Spirit, parent company of Pac West and South West Spirit Group, has also launched an iPhone app. The app will display their website on iPhones and other smart phones with all the standard features like search, login and categories. The company’s website detects smart phones, so the app is automatically displayed, and there’s nothing to download. Users also have the option of viewing the website in its original format. Visit pacwestspiritgroup.com for more info.

The1Form Seals New Partnerships

The Independent Event Producers (IEP) and CHEERSPORT will have one universal waiver form for more than 150 events per season from their member companies through The1Form.com. Gym owners and coaches can build their team rosters online and select multiple events they’ll be attending throughout the season. Parents or guardians will need to sign only one form for their children to participate in these events. For more, visit the1form.com or weareiep.com.

CHEERSPORT Innovates Cheer Floor

CHEERSPORT announced changes to its competition floor for the 2009–10 season, including the addition of three horizontal Velcro lines. These lines will be placed in the middle of the floor, and at 10 feet 6 inches in front of and behind the middle line. The additions were made to help beginner teams learn spacing in their routines, while advanced teams can be assured of consistency in all types of choreography, skill sequences and transitions. Visit cheersport.net for more.

Give ’Em a Hand

The Spirit Industry Trade Association (SITA) awarded this year’s Helping Hand Award to Western Carolina Elite Cheer and Dance from Graham County, NC. Founded in 2008 by Latresa Phillips and Shannon Knott, the 30-member program is the first competitive cheer gym in the area. The additional expenses of recovering from two floods in early 2009 strained the gym’s already tight budget. Through the Helping Hand program, Western Carolina Elite will receive uniforms, shoes, bags, camp clothes, subscriptions to industry magazines, entry for one coach and captain to a coaches conference, and registration for summer camp, two regional competitions and one national competition. For more on the Helping Hand program, visit spiritindustrytrade.com.

AACCA Announces Online Cheer Safety Course

After months of development, the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA) responded to growing industry demand by making its nationally recognized cheerleading safety course available online.
Exam questions are posed throughout the course, and incorrect answers the user back to the proper section to review the relevant material. The course also includes audio and video presentations, including video of skill progressions and proper stunting techniques. In addition to certification, those who complete the course are qualified for continuing education units through the United States Sports Academy or college credit through the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. On-site certification is still available. For more info, visit the “Coaches” section at aacca.org.

GSSA Restructures

The Golden State Spirit Association (GSSA) has taken on a nonprofit structure in which the organization focuses on its commitment to “educate and recognize California’s coaches while offering scholarship and performance opportunities to spiritleaders.” This year, GSSA will award more than $10,000 in scholarships to California-based cheerleaders and dancers, select all-star and school Coaches of the Year, recognize its annual Hall of Fame inductee and offer a partial-paid and at-large bid to the 2010 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds.

Say Aloha to the Mainland

The Aloha International Spirit Championships is coming to the mainland this year for the Road to Paradise Cheer and Dance Championships Series. The series kicks off in Portland on January 9, before heading to Phoenix on January 16 and San Diego on March 7. The Aloha Championships will take place in Honolulu, HI, February 19–20 and April 9–10. For more info, visit alohaspiritchamps.com.

Chairman’s Cup 2010

The search is on for USASF’s 2010 Chairman’s Cup Community Service Award, which is designed to highlight the positive efforts of cheerleaders and dancers who lead by volunteer work and philanthropy. All-star gyms can submit pictures, press releases, news articles or broadcasts of their philanthropies for consideration. A select committee will review submissions to acknowledge five nominees and award the gym whose projects made the largest impact. Last year’s recipients, Jeff and Diana Miller from Pro Spirit in McKinney, TX, will present the award to the winner during the VIP Reception at Disney’s Epcot Showplace on April 23. For more info, visit usasf.net.

The American Championships Updates

• This season, the American Championships is bringing back its cash awards program at its two-day national events. At the American Spectacular, Masterpiece, Showdown and Challenge comps, $5,000 in cash will be awarded. The American Grand, Masters and Showcase events will award $10,000, and $15,000 will be given away at the American Open. For dates and more info, visit ac.varsity.com.

• American Championships has announced a change to its video policy: At all events, spectators may videotape any and all performances. In addition, each team will receive a complimentary flash drive loaded with a video of their performances.

The JAM Brands Alerts

• JAM U 2010 will take place at Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville on June 25–26. Elaine Pascale from World Cup All-Stars, Morton Bergue from Cheergyms.com and Courtney Smith-Pope from Cheer Extreme All-Stars are just some of this year’s conference “professors.” For pricing and registration, visit gojamu.com.

• Collegiate cheer and dance teams can compete for free at any JAM Brands event during the 2009–10 season. For a listing of events, visit thejambrands.com.

Battle at the Capitol’s New Home

The Coastal Corporation’s Battle at the Capitol 2010 will take place at the Gaylord National in National Harbor, MD, March 6–7. All teams will compete the same weekend, including school, rec and all-stars. Visit thecoastalcorporation.com for more info.

COA’s Charitable Works

COA employees served more than 80 dinners to residents of the Ronald McDonald House at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in October. Ronald McDonald House has been the beneficiary of COA’s CHEERforLIFE philanthropic initiative since 2004. For more on how to get your squad involved in community service, check out CBN’s At Your Service feature, then visit coacheeranddance.com/cheerforlife.asp.

GLCC Partners with Local Gyms

Great Lakes Championship Company (GLCC) announced a partnership initiative with gyms local to its events in an effort to foster greater community service, awareness and recognition for cheer teams in their respective areas. Last year, GLCC worked with American Elite of Ohio to host an event in Akron supporting Reach Out and Read. That effort resulted in American Elite becoming a finalist for the USASF Chairman’s Cup.  Inspired by this response, GLCC has opened up opportunities at all its competitions this season for gyms to lead similar community service projects utilizing the events as a platform to make a larger impact.
American Elite, Spirit Elite of St. Louis, Mid Michigan Gemz and Michigan Xtreme have already volunteered to lead projects in their communities this year. If your gym is attending a GLCC event this season and is interested in this effort, contact Jim Wargnier at jim@greatlakesspirit.com. Visit here for more info.

USASF Updates

• Beginning in 2010, membership for gyms will run from August 1 through July 31 of the following year. All members will renew their memberships at the same time during each calendar year. For the remainder of 2009 through July 31, 2010, current members will participate in the membership rollover program. Memberships that expire during the rollover period will pay a prorated membership until July 31.

Gyms that don’t participate in the U.S. All-Star Federation’s (USASF) Gym Certification program will see an increase in their membership fees to $200 annually. Membership fees for certified gyms will remain at $150 annually. For more info, visit usasf.net or contact your regional director.

• Gyms that renew their memberships with the USASF after November 1 will receive lower insurance rates through Menard Gates and Mathus and K&K Insurance. Non-certified gyms will be charged $16 per participant, while certified gyms will pay $13.

• The USASF announced that it will offer college scholarships for high school seniors again this season, with recipients being announced at the 2010 Cheerleading Worlds. Interested athletes must be USASF members by December 1 to be eligible. The deadline to apply is February 1, 2010. In addition, the USASF is looking for sponsors for the Young Athlete Scholarships. Interested parties should e-mail USASF director Tegan Reeves at treeves@usasf.net.

• More than 100 people have participated in the ongoing Be an All-Star Image Campaign. Materials such as customizable videos and brochures are still available for download at usasf.net.

• The USASF created a more exclusive, members-only area on usasf.net. With a login and profile, USASF members can access minutes from committee meetings, plus insider news and info.

SITA Award Winners

Congrats to the 2009 Spirit Industry Trade Association Award winners. Visit spiritindustrytrade.com to view a full list of winners.

Inside American Cheerleader

Pick up American Cheerleader’s December 2009 issue for the inside look on surviving and thriving during competition season. Your athletes will find features on the coolest competition hot spots, advice on how to bounce back from a cheer crisis, as well as 20 perks to performing (Hint: It’s not all about the trophy).
First Class Athletics cheerleader Chelsea Nisted graces the cover as Cheerleader of the Month and confesses her secrets to staying calm in a fast-paced, competitive world. And if that’s not enough to inspire you, check out the exclusive interview with Twilight star Ashley Greene, who went from cheerleader to superstar. Lastly, just in time for the season of gratitude, don’t miss our feature on how cheerleading has helped our readers cope with the most stressful times in their lives. You can find additional info on these stories as well as original content on americancheerleader.com today.

Vote for the Small Gym of the Year

The polls are open to cast your vote for the 2010 Small Gym of the Year, presented by American Cheerleader and Cheer Biz News magazines and the USASF. Candidates with the most nominations are then reviewed by a select panel of editors and magazine advisory board members. The award will be presented at the 2010 USASF Cheerleading Worlds VIP Reception and Awards on April 23, 2010, at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Showplace in Orlando. The Small Gym of the Year honorees will also be profiled in Cheer Biz News magazine. Wisconsin’s Green Bay Elite received the inaugural Small Gym of the Year Award at the 2009 event and was featured in the August/September issue of CBN.

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