Category: Spirit

Given we haven’t posted many articles this year this is probably already assumed, but in case it is not I believe Spirit Post has retired. We don’t anticipate taking down anything that has already been posted, I just don’t anticipate any more posts coming. Thank you for your support over the past 15 years.

I often work as a Legality Official at events, which means most of the time I’m involved in taking points off a team’s score. I’d like to be involved in giving points and have come up with a couple options. First allow me to award a bonus to any performance that has nothing I need…

February had some of our industry’s largest events. Congratulations to everyone that found success at them. Here’s some of the news from the month. Jerry Harris of ‘Cheer’ Pleads Guilty in Federal Child Pornography Case via CNN. Attorney for U.S. Olympic Gymnasts Warns of ‘Epidemic of Sexual Abuse’ in Cheerleading via Dallas Observer. NFL Cheer…

When should there be a deduction for breaking a rule versus a warning? I’ve had this conversation with a couple friends lately and am wondering how more people would answer this and more importantly want to know the reason why? I have 2 notes with this question. There is no debate about the skill breaking…

Our 1st of the month articles include links to news from the prior month. Last month’s news included: UCA & UDA College Nationals took place at Walt Disney World. Cheer’s Jada Wooten Says She Was Excluded From Cast Appearances via Vulture. I have an idea for stunt and pyramid deductions at events. There are 3…

During my years of being involved in cheerleading I’ve learned athletes mess up for 3 main reasons: They don’t know what to do (The guy who didn’t know throwing a basket also meant catching it) They don’t know how to do it (The lifelong all star kid using a sign for the first time) They…

Our first article each month will include the news and articles we found interesting from the previous month. News from December 2021: Cheer on Nexflix is returning for season 2 on January 12th. (Yahoo! Sports, and many other outlets) USASF announced both Dana Fielding, Associate Director of Rules and Safety, and Mary Wendt, Director of…

On July 20, 2021 the International Cheer Union (ICU) announced (Press Release) it has been granted full recognition status by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Below is the ICU President Jeff Webb discussing the announcement on Good Morning America.

Penree and Stangle to lead organization Board to commence national search for new President MEMPHIS, TN (April 15, 2021) – U.S. All Star Federation, dedicated to driving excellence in All Star Cheer and Dance, announced today that Jim Chadwick, who served as President and Board Chair, has retired from the organization after nearly 18 years. The USASF…

Dear USASF Members, Organizing All Star to make it safer for participants, an idea discussed by many, began to take shape in earnest when Elaine Pascale and I realized we shared the same dream during a dinner in Philadelphia almost 20 years ago. Turning All Star from the “wild west” of hundreds of rules, divisions,…

March has come and gone without leaving us with much news. The USASF posted the Early Release of the 2021-2022 USASF Cheer Rules and Age Grid and the Dance Rules and Age Grid/Categories. International Cheer Union announced their 2021 World Championship would take place in September in an all virtual format. USASF announced their National…

Scenario: During a pyramid sequence a stunt group falls. Later in the sequence the fallen group was to become a required bracer for a pyramid element. That element was performed without the bracer, making it illegal as performed.  What should factor into whether it is a deduction or not? When, if ever, should a penalty…

February has come and gone, bringing an in person Cheersport and virtual NCA. IASF announced it is working to secure dates in September 2021 for the annual World Championship event. Les Stella made several announcements in 1 Facebook post. IASF was moved under ICU ICU moved out of the Varsity office Les did not make…

To all USASF Members:  We are aware of the recent announcement by IASF concerning the World Championship and the potential for a date in September along with virtual, in person and hybrid options. This announcement does not change ANYTHING for our 2021 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds event in May. Specifically: All U.S. and non-U.S. teams can…

Scenario: During the pyramid section the connection between a bracer and flipper is not made. Both are in the air and reach for each other, but don’t connect. The flip is illegal as performed due to not having a bracer.  What should factor into whether it is a deduction or not? When, if ever, should…

To all USASF members: This letter contains important updates from the Board of Directors on our athlete protection policies as well as plans and activities for competitive club cheer and dance in 2021. Following a challenging year for all of us due to the pandemic, we begin to think about a more normalized environment for…

I recently worked an in person event as the Scoring and Deduction review person. Review requests were submitted via online form so I decided to go back and look at the basis provided for the Legality challenges. There were 63 total, how many do you think fell in each category? USASF Ruling This group said…

The news of January is centered around uncertainty with upcoming event. Worlds and several other events at Disney World have been rescheduled. Dance Worlds is now May 6-7, 2021 Cheer Worlds is now May 8-10, 2021 NCA All-Star Nationals has gone virtual.

While the 2020-21 All Star competition season will look unlike any other, we turn optimistically toward the future as plans for The Cheerleading and Dance World Championship™ continue with an eye on celebrating the beauty, athleticism, diversity, lifelong learning and passion that we share in the All Star community. And so, another opportunity for teams…

Earlier this week Varsity updated their Summit 2021 Frequently Asked Questions document. Highlights include: ALL bid recipients to the 2020 Summit Championships in the Junior and Senior divisions (Paid, At-Large and Wild Card) will be eligible to compete at the 2021 Summit Championships with a WILD CARD bid. Page 1 All teams using a bid…

This is the first of a couple What Do You Think questions I’m going to pose. Scenario: During the stunt section 1 group performs an illegal skill.  What should factor into whether it is a deduction or not? When, if ever, should a penalty be assessed? What do you think and why?

There have been several recent announcements revising the dates of many cheer and dance events held at Walt Disney World. Announced Dates & Order of Events April 16-17 – Quest April 17-18 – UCA All Star April 22-23 – UDA High School April 23-25 – UCA High School April 27-28 – UCA & UDA College…

Happy New Year! Here’s some of the news from December. Jeff Webb Steps Down as Chairman of Varsity Spirit – Will Still Play a Role in Cheer World via Commercial Appeal.  A Huge Slap in the Face’: Frustrations Grow Over Cheerleading’s Mishandled Sexual Misconduct Cases via USA Today.

Welcome to December. Here’s the news we found for November. Cheerleaders’ Campaign Wins Government Approval of Covid-19 Measures via SW Londoner. USA Cheer Launches Nationwide Membership Initiative via USA Cheer. The College Athletes Who Are Allowed to Make Big Bucks: Cheerleaders via New York Times.

Welcome to November. Here’s a little of the news from October: Bain Capital’s Cheerleading Investment Gets Ugly via Axios. Former Titans Cheerleader Dies From Injuries in ‘Horrific’ Car Wreck via Tennessean. Internal Audit Finds ‘Structural and Cultural Failure’ in UK Cheerleading via LEX18. Nicholas Stoll: Cheer Isn’t an NCAA Sport, and Title IX Just Might…