For Forestville, MD-based gym Crimson Heat, “spirit” has more meanings than one. The faith-based gym builds both moral foundation and athleticism, with Jon Rolle acting as both Travel Cheer Program Director and head coach of its Worlds team. Calling on more than 15 years of experience, Rolle has taken Crimson Heat to Worlds for the past four years—reaching a peak of ninth place in 2012. Recognizing the spirited approach Rolle embodies as a coach and encourages in his athletes, Rolle was nominated by USASF for 2014 Coach of the Year. Find out more about this rising industry star in our candid Q&A.

Since you began heading up the Worlds team, how has the team grown and impacted the growth of the gym as a whole?

Rolle: I think building a Worlds program is something our gym has made a priority, to make the Level 5 team more successful. I’m just kicking up our skills as a coach and seeking the advice of other coaches. One thing that is really unique about our gym is our focus on the child as a whole—we want to show that they are people [as well as athletes]. We seek to find ways to bond together, grow as a team and build a brand.

How does faith play a role both on and off the mat?

Rolle: Crimson Heat has a set of core values and [the name] stands for Christ, Respect, Integrity, Motivation, Success, Opportunity, Noble, Humble, Effort, Academics and Teamwork. [Owner Veronica Burton] focuses on development of the entire child. We are not a gym where faith is something pre-eminent or that we shove down our customers’ throats. It is a way of living—Christ is our focus. The things that we do are competitive, but we are doing the best things we can, where 100% effort is respected and required. Creed, morals and values are what we expect our athletes to uphold.

Are there extra considerations as a faith-based coach?

Rolle: Not necessarily. The major thing about Crimson Heat is that it’s a family organization. It has been around for 15 years, and we are constantly thinking about how to make our business better, but at the end of the day, what we provide to our athletes and families is the idea of an extended family. We always ask ourselves: How do we actually uphold the letters of the Creed in the same ways that we expect of our athletes?

As a member of the NACCC executive committee, what do you view as the industry’s biggest current issues?

Rolle: I’ve had the great pleasure of representing the Northeast region of coaches as one of the people elected to be their voice on major topics. At regional meetings, we’ve discussed a number of different issues, [including] the idea of Worlds Division I and II. What is a large gym and what is a small gym? What constitutes a medium-sized gym? Another really big issue: how do we continue to grow the brand of all-star cheerleading? How do we market and develop all-star cheerleading as a growing sport? How are we being competitive in an economic time where all-star cheerleading costs exceed other sports?

I think as a coach, our responsibility is to provide the best training possible; kids are going to want to stay in an all-star program if they are with coaches who value them and provide structure and guidance. At Crimson Heat, we seek improvement and are on the cutting edge of making the kids and the gym successful.

-Amanda Kennedy