Spirit Company

Focusing on the Business of Cheerleading & Dance

Observations After Event 7 of 2013-14

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Event 7 took me back to Texas. We still had some problems with toss execution, specifically telling if someone was trying to do a hitch or just came off the basket awkwardly, but the overall execution of skills was better than my last visit. I still saw a couple double jumps and they continued to baffle me when competing on the Varsity score sheet. I only have 1 trip to Texas remaining this season, and I expect it to be a good one.

On the rules side, in Level 1 I’m seeing several prep level stunt without anyone that can be counted as the spotter. This is happening when the back person is completely under the top person in Flat Backs and V-Sits. Please remember the spot needs to be in a position to protect the head and neck of the top person, which cannot be done from underneath the stunt. The position of the back person isn’t always clear from the judges’ stand making it hard to judge the legality of such skills, but if the stunt faces the side or rotates the skill it becomes very clear.

The upcoming weekend is the busiest of the year. There are 5 Cheer Worlds bid events, ACA, JAMfest, Mardi Gras, Spirit Cheer, and Universal Spirit, plus The Majors and UCA College Nationals. In addition, Dance Bids will be awarded at Athletic Championships in Chattanooga. Good luck to everyone competing this weekend.

Spirit Holding and Cheersport Join the Varsity Family of Brands

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Cheersport LogoMemphis, Tenn., (December 28, 2012) Varsity and Spirit Holding have announced that they are merging, effective immediately. Based in Matthews, N.C., Spirit Holding is the parent company of CHEERSPORT, CheerLogistics and Universal Spirit, and hosts more than 30 competitions each year.

CHEERSPORT’S signature Nationals event, held in Atlanta each February, is the single largest cheer and dance competition in the United States, attracting more than 900 cheerleading and dance teams from around the country.

“Our goal has always been to produce exciting events that are organized and positive for all participants,” said Jeff Fowlkes, President and General Manager of Spirit Holding. “And by teaming up with Varsity, we know that we are partnering with the best in the cheer community. No organization takes better care of its athletes and their safety or cares about their competition experience more than Varsity, and we are proud to be their partner.”

Varsity All Star LogoJohn Newby, Executive Vice President of Varsity and General Manager of Varsity All Star, said, “We are excited to welcome the Spirit Holding team and look forward to working with their entire organization as we continue to focus on producing the best cheer and dance competitions in the world for the athletes and parents we serve.”

Athletes and gym customers should expect enhancements in the future as a result of the merger, including a larger pool of experienced judges and consistent logistical and operational support.

Regarding the new arrangement Fowlkes added, “Perhaps the most exciting aspect about our merger with Varsity is that CHEERSPORT will be able to retain its uniqueness,” added Fowlkes. “Varsity has always allowed its brands the independence they need to retain what makes them special, and that is extremely important to us and to our customers.”

Fowlkes will continue to manage and direct the Spirit Holding operations. Kevin Brubaker will serve as Vice President and Brand Manager of CHEERSPORT, and Adam Thomas will continue to manage Universal Spirit as its Vice President and Brand Manager. Spirit Holdings headquarters will remain at its current location in the Charlotte, N.C. area.

For more information, please contact Sheila Noone, 901-251-5959 or [email protected]

Univeral Spirit 2011-12

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Universal Spirit’s Spirit of Hope took place on January 14-15 in Charlotte, NC. This event had 239 All*Star Cheer teams compete and was a qualifier for Cheer & Dance Worlds. Partial Bids were awarded to:

  • Universal Spirit LogoACE Cheer Company “Thunderbirds” (Senior Small Coed L5)
  • A-Towne Dynasty Allstars “Legends” (Senior Large Coed L5)
  • Charlotte Allstars “TEAL” (Senior Medium Coed L5)
  • Greensboro Allstars “Diamond Elite” (Senior Small L5)
  • Pittsburgh Superstars (Senior Medium L5)

At Large Bids were awarded to:

  • FAME Allstars “Blackout” (Senior Small Coed L5)
  • FAME Allstars “Notorious” (Senior Medium Coed L5)
  • Famous Superstars “Celebrity” (International Coed L5)
  • Florida Top Dog Allstars (Senior Large Coed L5)
  • Twisters Allstars “Senior Gold” (Senior Small L5)

Event Page | Universal Spirit Spirit of Hope 2012 Results

The event had 239 All*Star Cheer Teams in 48 Divisions for an average of 4.98 teams per division.

All*Star Cheer By Level

  • Level 1 – 44 Teams in 8 Divisions (5.50 Average)
  • Level 2 – 63 Teams in 10 Divisions (6.30)
  • Level 3 – 47 Teams in 11 Divisions (4.27)
  • Level 4 – 39 Teams in 7 Divisions (5.57)
  • Level 4.2 – 6 Teams in 2 Divisions (3.00)
  • Restricted – 10 Teams in 3 Divisions (3.33)
  • Level 5 – 30 Teams in 7 Divisions (4.29)

All*Star Cheer By Age

  • Tiny – 6 Teams in 1 Division (6.00 Average)
  • Mini – 20 Teams in 4 Divisions (5.00)
  • Youth – 43 Teams in 8 Divisions (5.38)
  • Junior – 58 Teams in 12 Divisions (4.83)
  • Senior – 108 Teams in 22 Divisions (4.91)
  • Open – 4 Teams in 1 Division (4.00)