Category: Spirit

Justin Carrier of NCA gave one of the presentations that made me open my eyes the most. The topic was the image and appearance of All*Star cheerleaders. The presentation started with a segment that aired on HBO’s Real Sports. The piece was pretty typical of a segment you would see on cheerleading, and if anything…

This summer I had the pleasure of talking to several coaches, gym owners, and event producers, as well as attending the USASF Tier 3 and 4 Meeting and the USASF West Coast Regional Meeting. These conversations and meetings reminded me that our industry is between a rock and a hard place, the rock being wanting…

Cheer-Themed Charity Aims to Help Donate 25 Million Meals to Feeding America Lake Mary, Florida, August 26, 2011 – Today Cheer for a Cause announced they are teaming with Kraft Foods to fight hunger in America in September. The mission of Kraft Foods’ Huddle to Fight Hunger is to help donate 25 million meals to…

Varsity is thrilled to announce that Kendall Jenner has teamed up with us to promote National School Spirit Day! Varsity started National School Spirit Day three years ago to shine a spotlight on all of the reasons why cheerleaders and dancers make such a difference in their schools and communities –as mentors, as community service…

The New York Times “You’re the Boss” blog published The Price of Bad Pricing. This article discussed the difficulty of pricing your product or services properly and explored the impact of lowering and raising prices.

USA Cheer published A Letter from Bill Seely, Executive Director of USA Cheer. It is USA Cheer’s belief that we’ve been given a unique opportunity – to create a new and innovative sport that opens up important athletic opportunities for female athletes. In keeping with the CWA’s recommendations, and in the spirit of what we…

The NCAA published NCAA Committee Looks Into New Sport. The NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics will watch for continued growth and development in a new sport that combines elements of gymnastics and competitive cheerleading after two different groups requested emerging-sport status for slightly different versions. In a letter sent to both organizations, the committee asked…

Business Week published Fix a Strained Business Partnership Now. This article talks about the importance of creating a partnership agreement and putting it in writing. It also touches on some of the topics that need to be addressed in the partnership agreement.

The New York Times asks Are You Paying Too Much for Space? The facility payment is often one of the most significant for a gym or studio and the New York times points out now is one of the best times to evaluate your options because of the down real estate market.

It’s not a competition, but it is WAY more than just a showcase! The Launch is designed to help teams warm-up and prepare for their season! The Launch will provide the opportunity for teams to get on the floor EARLY in the season at a SUPER LOW PRICE! You’ll want to be there because all…

Minneapolis, MN – With 25 years of experience as an event producer, Lisa Saline is flying high as plans for the Eclipse competition series take off. Eclipse Studio Dance; a company tailored to the unique cliental of studio directors, owners, and dancers has more than doubled in size over the last two years. Event registration…

The JAM Brands announces Hayley Schumaker-Reyes as the Dance Director for The JAM Brands. Hayley has been in the dance industry for more than 15 years as a dancer, coach and choreographer. She has traveled throughout the U.S. and internationally sharing her passion for dance. Hayley can also been seen in several national shows, concerts,…

Business Week published When, Why, and How to Fire That Customer. This is an old article, but a great read about evaluating each customer to determine if they are really helping or hurting the bottom line and your business.

A couple weeks ago I had a few conversations with gym owners about gym rentals and how the work at their gyms. I took a few different things away from those conversations: Always charge for rentals, with the possible exception of teams that are already consistent clients of yours. Even then the consensus was still…

Initiative raises funds and awareness for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.® Memphis, Tenn. (July 2011) – Varsity has announced its Let’s Go Pink! Program, a line of pink apparel and accessories available online and through sales associates with 20% of profits donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. From now until October…

The NY TImes published Connecting With Clients Through the Power of Tech. The examples in the article are for a wide variety of businesses and should get you thinking about ways you can used technology to enhance your business.

Despite working wonders for Wal-Mart, Business Week points out Low Prices Are Not Always Your Friend. The article points out price is an indicator of value, higher prices are necessary for long term success, and you are not Wal-Mart.

July 18, 2011 – The Organization of Spirit Industry Providers (OSIP) and Spirit Industry Trade Association (SITA) are pleased to announce a joint meeting of the two organizations and impending merger. Effective August 1, 2011, both groups will merge as one working organization to promote the good and betterment of the spirit market as a…

Minneapolis, MN – Announcing eXtreme events inc. or XEI. After 25 years in the industry as a cheer and dance event producer, Lisa Saline recently announced she is transitioning out of cheer to focus on dance. With this eXciting change comes a new company name, eXtreme events inc. or XEI. Under the XEI umbrella will…

ATLANTA, Ga. – July 18, 2011 – Shane Womack has been named Associate Publisher for Inside Publications, which produces Inside Cheerleading, Inside Gymnastics, and Inside Volleyball magazines. In his new position, Womack will direct sales, marketing, and partnership efforts for the company and its titles. “I’m thrilled to take on a new leadership role at…

AACCA’s Cheer Safety Blog published Clarifications on 2011-12 AACCA School Rules, providing a little more information on 4 rules.

Lisa Welch has published an interview with Debbie Love titled For the Love of CHEERMaD on CHEERMad. As the mother of six All Stars and a tumbling coach for 40 years, Debbie Love of Premiere Athletics’ Kentucky All Stars is a unique CHEERMaD.

CNN published Cheerleaders Prep for Hours in Search of 2½ Minutes of Perfection. The ultimate goal: leading her team to a world championship. She works out just about every day in the weeks leading up to the competition, and some practices last three hours.

USA Cheer and the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators are bringing spirit and safety together as new partners in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Heads Up campaign. This joint effort will help build concussion awareness among cheer coaches, parents, fans and cheerleaders themselves. Already through this partnership, coaches of the…

The Omaha World-Herald published Cheerleading Case Stirs Up Dispute. So she’s practiced. Her older sister, a former cheerleader, helped her figure out ways she could cheer from her wheelchair. Julia, who’ll be a junior at Aurora High School this fall, was born without legs and with arms that stop short of her elbows.