CBN Aug/Sept 2009
USASF Updates
Credentialing & Regional Meetings
Level 6 credentialing will be offered for the first time at the summer regional meetings. These meetings are scheduled for:
- June 22–23, Charlotte, NC
- July 19, White Plains, NY
- July 25–26, Sacramento, CA
- July 31–August 1, Orlando, FL
- August 1–2, Atlanta, GA
- August 15–16, Chicago, IL
- August 22–23, Dallas, TX
- September 19, Anaheim, CA
The format for this year’s regional meetings has changed. There will be more focus on the needs and professional development of the coaches, with sessions covering: gym profitability, the use of the web to benefit your team, programs such as scholarships and gym certification, rules suggestions and an open forum to discuss what’s going on in all-star cheer today. Credentialing, re-credentialing and the AACCA Spirit Safety Certification Program will also be offered. Contact your regional director for more information.
Safety Judges Certification courses will be held August 22 in Dallas, August 29 in Cleveland, and September 19 in Anaheim. Each event producer will be required to send two representatives, but the course is open to all coaches. Once certified, safety judges will receive a certificate and shirt and will be added to the national safety judges certification list.
Visit usasf.net and click on “recent news” for more info on the regional meetings and to register.
The Cheerleading & Dance Worlds 2010
- Senior Semi-Limited Coed will be added as a division at the 2010 Cheerleading Worlds, based on the recommendation of many gym owners and coaches and following a majority vote from the USASF Worlds Advisory Board.
- After much debate among U.S. teams, the International Junior division will remain at Worlds for 2010, but U.S. Junior teams must qualify by video submission. Only three U.S. Junior teams will be accepted to compete in the division this year.
- The Dance Worlds has split Hip Hop into two divisions: Senior Hip Hop and Senior Coed Hip Hop. Junior International Open Dance has also been added for 2010.
Be An All-Star
The USASF has launched the “Be An All-Star” campaign in an effort to legitimize cheer and dance by promoting the positive life benefits of participation in these sports. This national campaign targets parents and young people who are seeking an activity that will infuse confidence and leadership skills.
The campaign includes a PSA, which is available to all USASF members in 30- and 60-second spots and in many different formats, school fliers, magazine ads and brochures with information from AACCA, Team USA and the ICU. All the materials focus on developing a broader understanding of the sports and the positive ways that all-star cheer and dance affect the lives of young people. The PSA, which aired during the broadcast of the Cheerleading Worlds on ESPN2, can be customized with your gym’s logo and website and is available for use on your websites or local stations.
For more on the Be An All-Star campaign and to download or order materials, visit usasf.net.
Varsity & Human Kinetics Create Online Course
Varsity Brands has teamed up with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) and Human Kinetics to develop The Coaching Youth Cheerleading Online Course. This course is geared toward coaches of athletes ages 14 and younger and presents a variety of interactive features, including activities and scenarios that can be found at practices, games and competitions, and online tools such as forms and assessments that can be used while coaching. The course, which is based on the ASEP book Coaching Youth Cheerleading, also provides information on coaching concepts and philosophies, communicating with squads and parents, safety, rules, equipment, stunting, jumping, tumbling and more. To purchase the online course or the hardcover book, visit asep.com/store or humankinetics.com.
Game On!
Building on the success of their first GAME DAY competition held on March 7, 2009, JAMfest announces the expansion of the cheer and dance competition that’s exclusively for school and rec teams. The goal of GAME DAY is to create an environment where school and rec teams can be the center of attention. Since these teams are used to performing at games and cheering for other teams, this is their turn to be in the spotlight. Each GAME DAY competition will include fight songs, pep rallies, athletic contests, spirit challenges and more. Visit gamedayspirit.net for schedules and pricing and to find out more.
Spirit Innovations Launches New Divisions
Spirit Innovations announces the launch of two new divisions: Show Your Spirit and Studio Dance. Show Your Spirit offers personalized items that let cheer and dance teams and fans. Studio Dance is geared toward competitive dancers, offering costumes and apparel lines for lyrical, jazz and hip hop, along with basics and accessories. Visit spiritinnovations.com to check out the new merchandise.
Cheer for Our Troops II
The Coastal Corporation has announced plans for their second Cheer for Our Troops event to be held this November in Maryland. Cheer for Our Troops encourages Maryland cheer teams to come together to create care packages to send to our troops overseas for Thanksgiving. More than 500 cheerleaders participated in the inaugural event in 2008, and this year, the Coastal Corporation hopes to expand the event into other states to make an even bigger impact. If you’re interested in starting this program in your area, call 866-WIN-2232.
JAMfest Madness Race
The winners of the third annual JAMfest Madness Race have been determined. JAMfest Madness is a competitive series that runs throughout the entire competition season, pitting teams against every other team in their division that competes at JAMfest events across the country. The following teams with the highest overall scores have been named the Category Winners for the 2008–09 season, and each member will receive a JAMfest Madness champion ring, along with a Top-5 T-shirt. To find out more about JAMfest Madness, visit jamfest.com/JAMfestMadness.
- All-Star Cheer Level 1: Top Notch Savvy Seniors, Lithonia, GA
- All-Star Cheer Level 2: Midwest Cheer Elite Toledo, Perrysburg, OH
- All-Star Cheer Level 3: Spirit Central Large Senior Cheer, Webster, MA
- All-Star Cheer Level 4: Heartland Flyers Senior Open, Elizabethtown, KY
- All-Star Cheer Level 5: Spirit Central Senior Cheer, Webster, MA
Spirit Ready Sportswear Launches New Site
Spirit Ready Sportswear, a division of COA Cheer & Dance, has announced the launch of their new and improved online apparel and accessory store, complete with customer wish list and online registration. Spirit Ready Sportswear carries cheer and dance items, as well as a full line of sports medicine and training items. Until September 1, 2009, customers can use the code SRSLAUNCH09 to receive a 10 percent discount on orders of $100 or more. Check out the new site at spiritreadysportswear.com.
Twist & Shout Acquires Spirit of Oklahoma
Owner Orson Sykes has announced that Twist & Shout Training Center added a new location in Midwest City, OK, to its program in May with the acquisition of Spirit of Oklahoma, which was the first cheerleading facility in the state. Barbie Parker, Spirit of Oklahoma founder and owner, established the program in 1986 and will continue to be involved. For more info, visit shouterspirit.com.
Inside American Cheerleader
The August issue of American Cheerleader is bursting with scoop from the film Bring It On: Fight to the Finish. The talented Christina Milian, who plays the lead role in the movie, graces our cover. Find out what she had to say about cheerleading, and read up on the rest of the cast as they model the funkiest fashions for back-to-school.
Our Cheerleader of the Month is 17-year-old Alexa Buffalino from CC Champs and Ramsey HS in New Jersey. Your athletes will love reading her story about how cheerleading has changed her life. Also, check out what California All-Stars owner Tannaz Emamjomeh-Collier had to say about her team’s riveting Worlds win. All this and more in the latest issue of AC, on newsstands now. Order your copy at americancheerleader.com/shop.
The Votes Are In!
Find out who the industry insiders voted into the coveted Top 25 in this year’s All-Star Insider. From industry leaders, coaches, choreographers and gym owners to honorees, up-and-comers and awesome athletes, the 2009 Insider highlights the best of the cheer world. Don’t miss this special issue!
The U.S. Finals
Congrats to all the teams that participated in the first-ever U.S. Finals Championships this spring! More than 1,000 teams attended the four U.S. Finals events, with more than 600 making the trip to the Virginia Beach competition, making it one of the biggest single events of the year. Visit theusfinals.com for full 2009 results and qualifying info for these 2010 season dates:
- April 16–17: Kansas City, MO, Orlando, FL, & Las Vegas, NV
- April 23–25: Cincinnati, OH
- April 30–May 2: Virginia Beach, VA
- South Central date and location not available at press time
International All-Levels Championship
Varsity Brands’ inaugural International All-Levels Championships (IALC) kicked off this spring with five scheduled events, and although one event was canceled due to safety issues regarding the H1-N1 flu outbreak, the IALC had a solid overall showing with around 550 teams in attendance. Visit all-levels.com for results and for more information on the 2010 Championships schedule:
- April 17–18: Dallas, TX, & Atlanta, GA
- May 1–2: Cincinatti, OH, Atlantic City, NJ, & Long Beach, CA
It’s Game Time
Varsity Brands announced the creation of Game Time Nationals for the 2009–10 competition season. This series will celebrate the traditions that have been at the center of high school cheerleading since the beginning—fight songs, sideline cheers, timeout dances and halftime routines. Game Time divisions will also be added to some regional events throughout the upcoming season. For more info, visit varsity.com.
Coaches—Put your team on the map!
Varsity.com is launching the community section of its website, allowing coaches to create team profiles for their programs. Once created, coaches can designate administrators to make sure their team’s profile is up-to-date, and then show off photos, videos and accolades that each squad has won along the way. Team profiles will show up on an actual map of the United States. To create your profile, visit varsity.com and click on “Community.”
ACDA’s Car Giveaway
Coach Heather Pasquarella of Vision X-treme Cheer & Tumble in Hammonton, NJ, became the 12th coach to be awarded a brand-new Volkswagon Bug courtesy of American Cheer & Dance Academy. Pasquarella won the car at Reach the Beach Ocean City All Star & College Internationals on April 3–5, 2009 in Ocean City, Maryland. ACDA began awarding a VW Bug to one lucky coach at its Reach the Beach competitions, a three-day weekend event held twice annually, in 2004. For more info on ACDA and Reach the Beach, visit acdaspirit.com.
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