IALC Update
The Internation All Levels Championship has reached 1,500 bids according to an email they sent (twice) today. More information about the event can be found here.
Varsity Acquisitions: A Recap
Varsity was comprised of UCA, UDA, ACA, & USA prior to being taken private with the help of Leonard Green & Partners (Consumer Products Portfolio). Since then they have been on a buying spree.
NCA, NDA, & CDT - This acquisition gave Varsity the major player in the All*Star market, as well as the second largest in the camp and uniform businesses.
Athletic Championships & Premier Athletics - This acquisition brought manpower (Mike Martinez, Boog Potter, & Cole Stott) to Varsity, as well as guaranteed clientèle. Varsity now has gyms that can buy uniforms and attend competitions, allowing Varsity to benefit from multiple sources.
WSF - Provides an east coast presence, one of the areas Varsity was weak.
American Championships, Spirit Team, & CTC - Eliminates significant competition in the resident camp business.
Spirit Sports - This one confuses us. James Speed (University of Louisville & Gym Tyme) is the only thing that comes to mind.
Cheer Power - Cheer Power was the driving force behind Final Destination & the Small Gym Association. This purchase would have seriously hampered Final Destination if the JAM Bands didn’t step in. It also gave Varsity a much larger presence with small gyms.
All Star Challenge -All Star Challenge has some unique events and well respected leaders.
Spirit Cheer - Spirit Cheer has a unique relationship with the NBA, which Varsity can expand.
Power Joins the JAM Brands
We missed the announcement, but Jammy has bought Power Cheer & Dance. I don’t know much about them, but you can visit their website here.
http://www.powercheeranddance.com/
“Wii” Cheer
We Cheer, a cheerleading video game, has shipped for the Nintendo Wii.
IALC Q&A
The IALC issued the following information about the event:
Coaches,
I know it is difficult to keep up with all the information and “new stuff” that is happening in the all-star market. I wanted to take this opportunity to provide answers for the “most asked” questions about All-Levels and help clear up some of the confusion! And, remember to check out the new website at www.all-levels.com.
- All-Levels was created to give non-worlds teams an opportunity to work towards an end-of-the-season championship similar to the Worlds event.
- The USASF is NOT running the All-Levels events. All-Levels is a collaborative effort between the Founding Partners - some of the biggest and best Event Producers in the industry. Check out the complete list at the All-Levels website.
- The Founding Partners are members of the USASF.
- 4. In order for your teams to qualify for the All-Levels, they must earn a bid at a Qualifying Event produced by one of our Founding Partners. To find a Qualifying Event, visit the “Qualifying Locations” page on the All-Levels website.
- At each Qualifying Event, teams will earn bids based on their award placement. First Place winners will pay only $25 per participant, Second Place Bid winners will pay $45 per participant, and Third Place Bid winners will pay $65 per participant. The All-Levels Founding Partners will also be issuing At-Large Bids at their discretion.
- At each Qualifying Event, 1 PAID BID will be awarded by the Founding Partners. A PAID BID means that your All-Levels registration fees have been waived. Paid Bid Winners WILL have to cover their own transportation and housing.
- The All-Levels Championships will be held in April and May at 5 different locations across the country - Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Antonio, Atlantic City and Columbus.
- The only divisions not eligible to compete at All-Levels are; Level 1 Tiny, L5 and L6 Senior Level Divisions, International Open and International Open Coed.
- All Level 5 Junior Divisions (L5 Small Junior, L5 Large Junior and L5 Junior Coed) ARE eligible to compete to All-Levels.
- In late May, after the 5 All-Levels events occur, Varsity will be hosting the Grand Championship online. Judges will log onto the website and score the winning videos from all 5 locations. The highest scoring teams during this round of competition will be crowned the first-ever “Virtual Grand Champion”.
IALC Adds Junior Level 5 Divisions
The International All Level Championship has added All Junior Level 5 divisions to the competition. See the press release on Varsity.com.
New USASF Website
The USASF has recently released a new website. At first look it appears to be a significant upgrade over the last version. Check it out at USASF.net.
Spirit Cheer Joins Varsity
Spirit Cheer is the latest company to become a Varsity Brand. See the Press Release here.
A Sad Note
Four Scott High School (Tennessee) cheerleaders died in a car crash this weekend following cheering at a football game. The full story is on CNN.com.
Varsity Eliminates Release Forms
Varsity Brands will no longer require release froms for All*Star Competitons. See the full information on Varsity.com.
IALC Update
The IALC has added Mini divisions and moved the Indy event to Columbus, Ohio.
Spirit Town USA
JAM Brands and American Cheerleader Magazine have asked everyone to nominate Spirt Town USA. Vist spirittownusa.com for more information.
USASF Memo
Mike Burgess, the USASF Rules Chairman, sent the following memo:
Dear USASF/IASF Membership:
Over the past several months committees and the National Advisory Board of the USASF and/or IASF have been meeting to discuss several topics related to all-star cheer and dance. As a result of these meetings, and in particular the most recent gathering of committees in Dallas, Texas in the United States, there are some new guidelines, policies, definitions and a division addition that will impact our membership effective immediately. The three specific areas are:
Small Gyms Definition
The small gyms definition has been further clarified and now reads:
A “Small Gym” is defined as having 100 or less participants. A Small Gym is defined as having one physical address for its location and has 100 or less athletes registered in its competitive cheer program at the time of competition. Exhibition teams, crossover athletes, special needs teams and dance teams do not count toward the 100 or less athletes.
4.2 Division Added
In an effort to encourage increased participation in the all-star cheerleading activity, the USASF/IASF has recognized the challenge that many participants feel who are skilled in stunting but limited in their personal tumbling ability. Therefore a new division has been added to the 2008-09 Age Grid. This is level 4.2. Level 4.2 follows Level 4 rules for Stunts/Pyramids/Dismounts and Tosses and Level 2 rules for General Tumbling/Standing Tumbling and Running Tumbling. It is offered only in “Senior Open.”
The two items above will be added to the 2008-09 effective immediately.
Uniforms Recommendation
The following recommendation is being made by the USASF as it pertains to uniforms for all-star participants. This is not a “rule,” at this time, but only a recommendation. Therefore, it will be posted on the website and shared with membership, but it will not appear on the Age Grid.
Coaches should consider ALL squad members’ body types when choosing a uniform style. The uniform should comfortably fit the athlete, and the athlete should feel comfortable performing in the uniform. The skirt on female cheerleaders should cover briefs completely in front and back while standing; and should fit loosely enough not to “ride up” around waist during performance. Crop tops should reasonably cover the athlete, and not be so short that bra tops show during “arm over head” movements. This is not a mandatory rule for this season, but simply a recommendation. We must present our participants as athletes, and be aware that many children to not have the body type to make some uniforms fit the above criteria.
I appreciate all of the hard-work and dedication of the various committees of the USASF/IASF and the continued support of our membership.
Sincerely,
Mike Burgess
USASF/IASF Rules Chair
Level 4 & 5 Rules Clarifications
The following rules have been “clarified” by the USASF:
Level 4 and Level 5 Stunts
RULE ADJUSTMENT: Downward inversions from prep level or above may not land in an inverted position. Clarification: Downward inversions from prep level that land in an inverted position ARE NOW ALLOWED this season.
Level 4 Pyramids
a. RULE ADJUSTMENT: In pyramids where the top person travels over their bracer (i.e. leap frogs or wolf wall transitions), the catchers must be stationary.
More Coaches and Kids
Here are 2 more stories that we wished didn’t exist.
Jones County Junior College in Mississippi & West Coast Extreme in Oregon
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