CBN Feb/Mar 2010
Safety Tip of the Month
presented by the American Association of Cheer Coaches and Administrators (AACCA)
Creating a Safe Gym Environment
Safety starts at the top. In order to create a safe gym environment, gym owners and managers must be actively involved in the following areas and set the standard for safety:
- Personnel: Keep all staff updated on the appropriate safety certification, credentialing and background checks. Hold periodic staff training sessions to focus on specific areas of safety (i.e., progressions, spotting, technique, class management, etc.).
- Environment: Staff should inspect the practice areas regularly and make sure there’s adequate space available for the intended activity (stunt work, tumbling class, routines, etc.). Remove or address potential hazards; for example, covering columns with appropriate matting.
- Students: Inform students about appropriate gym behavior. Enforce safety rules like “no horseplay” or “no coach, no practice.” Empower students to be aware of their surroundings (for example, looking both ways before crossing a practice area).
- Emergency planning: Have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in the event of a serious injury or medical emergency. Make sure every class and coach understands their role in the EAP at any given time. Your EAP should include first-aid training, CPR, an automated external defibrillator (AED) and plans to respond to severe weather emergencies. Be sure to practice the plan with coaches and students and communicate the plan to parents.
- Management: Be involved in the daily activities of the gym. You can’t properly assess safety readiness or take appropriate action if you’re always in an office. Keep yourself up-to-date on the best practices through resources like the United States All Star Federation’s (USASF) website, national conferences and newsletters.
JAMstarz Nominations
Do you have a cheerleader, dancer, coach or team that stands out? JAMfest is looking for nominations for JAMstarz, a program that will name a Cheerleader, Dancer, Coach and Team of the Month. Every winner will have their bio and pictures posted online and receive goodies from BA Star. Enter your nominations at jamfest.com/jamstarz.
The JAM Brands: Your Partners in Spirit
The JAM Brands is making a commitment to helping coaches and cheer programs stay as strong as ever by developing a new online resource that includes real-world solutions used by successful gyms. Read tips from coaches, “shout out” your gym’s accomplishments or submit your questions to an expert here.
Varsity Creates Predict-A-Score
In 2009, Varsity announced the Varsity Standard of Scoring—one score sheet that will be used for most of their event brands this season. Now, coaches can predict how their all-star teams will perform on this system using Predict-A-Score, an online score sheet and calculator. To try it, click here and fill in the mock score sheet with the brand you’re competing with and the team’s level. Enter scores for each category and the system will compute your final score. With this tool, coaches can make decisions on elements of their routine based on the possible outcome, with the goal of producing the best score for a team’s performance.
Varsity Commits Resources to its all-star business
Varsity All-Star is pooling together its staff, led by John Newby, executive vice president and general manager, in an effort to keep improving the all-star experience for coaches, participants and parents. Tres Letard will now be leading Varsity All-Star’s operations and strategic development. Justin Carrier will head the new-and-improved marketing and sales effort, along with two division managers, Brian Elza and Josh Johnson, to help lead a new team of Varsity All-Star Advisors. Visit here for more.
USASF Board of Directors
Mack Hirshberg of Mac’s All Star Cheer in Utah and Happy Hooper of ACE Cheer Company in Alabama and Georgia have been elected to serve on the USASF board of directors. In addition, Jody Melton of Cheer Athletics in Texas will continue his work on the board for another year in the third coach’s seat. Roger Schonder from the Stingray Allstars in Georgia and Orson Sykes from Oklahoma Twisters are now alumni members. For more info, visit usasf.net, and turn to the cover to read more about Mac’s All Star Cheer.
Way to Go, ACE!
A special congratulations goes out to ACE Cheer Company in Alabama and Georgia for being featured on the Disney Channel’s “Get’cha Head in the Game” series, which highlights kids who have become inspiration to others by following their dreams. For more, visit here.
Good luck, Tegan!
The CBN staff wants to wish Tegan Jemma Reeves luck on her transition from director of the USASF to assistant executive director of the AACCA, where she will continue working for the betterment of the cheer industry. Tegan will continue on at the USASF as the director of education and communication on a volunteer basis. Congrats, Tegan!
Chairman’s Cup 2010: The Countdown
Time is running out! Make sure your teams are putting in their community service hours so that they can be submitted for the 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. Gym owners and coaches can submit packets including pictures, press releases, news articles or broadcasts of their charitable efforts for consideration. Submissions must be received no later than April 1. Last year’s recipients, Jeff and Diana Miller from ProSpirit in McKinney, TX, will present the award to the winner during the USASF Cheerleading Worlds VIP Reception and Awards Ceremony at Disney’s Epcot Showplace on April 23. For more info, visit usasf.net.
SITA Officers for 2010
The Spirit Industry Trade Association announced their officers for 2010:
- Chairperson: Debbie Bracewell
- Vice-Chair: Lynn Singer
- Secretary: Valerie Ninemire
- Treasurer: Steve Wedge
Contest of Champions Joins the IEP
Contest of Champions from Ocoee, FL, joined the Independent Event Producers (IEP), an organization of independently owned cheer and dance event companies, which has grown to include 22 member companies since its debut in August. For more, visit weareiep.com.
Ask Morton
CBN is proud to announce our very own “Dear Abby” column with Cheergyms.com owner, coach, choreographer and speaker, Morton Bergue. With almost 30 years of experience in the cheerleading industry, Bergue is ready to answer your anonymous questions on any number of topics, including opening a gym, generating profit, recruiting new athletes, building a brand, dealing with intra-gym politics and more. Send your questions to askmorton@cheerbiznews.com. (Your name and gym will be kept confidential.)
Insider Alerts in Inbox
Want to stay updated on all the latest cheer news as it happens? Sign up for the Cheer Biz News e-newsletter. This e-mail will be sent out to subscribers, gym owners and cheer companies once a month to keep you in the loop. E-mail us at cbn@americancheerleader.com to get on the list.
Inside American Cheerleader
American Cheerleader’s February 2010 issue is in all-star overload, giving your athletes all the info they need to make this season their best yet. They’ll find out what it takes to stand out on their squads with inside tips from coaches across the country, how to show school spirit without the uniform and ways to keep things interesting so they don’t end up in a cheer rut. It’s also our 15th Anniversary issue, so we’ve included a gallery showcasing all our covers and a cheer timeline spanning 141 years!
This issue’s Cheerleader of the Month and cover girl is Johnna Petitte of Morgantown, WV. A former University of Kentucky and Hawaii Pacific University cheerleader, Johnna made the decision to cheer in her home state at West Virginia University and Pittsburgh Superstars and gives readers advice on what it takes to make a college squad. You can also find extras and web exclusives at americancheerleader.com, including celebrity interviews, makeup tips, cheer news and more.
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