In the Industry/ Web Exclusives/ webexclusive1

Spotlight: Ambrel Brannon of Cheer Athletics

ambrel mitchell, athletes, Cheer Athletics, coaches December 16, 2013

Most people don’t equate cheerleading with computer science, but global systems engineer and former all-star athlete Ambrel Mitchell Brannon has successfully been able to juggle all the above. Currently a coach at Cheer Athletics, Brannon completed a Masters degree in computer science at Southern Methodist University while coaching several teams and competing on an open coed team. Now retired, she works her day job as an engineer and spends her nights and weekends coaching at Cheer Athletics.

Down to Business/ Web Exclusives

Recruiting: Shades of Grey

Andrea McBride, Cheer Athletics, CheerGyms.com, Jody Melton, Leaps and Bounds Sports Center, Morton Bergue July 15, 2013

A new gym’s tryouts listed in the local newspaper calendar. Facebook ads promoting a new team. A Twitter campaign that targets most of the local cheer community. Coaches wearing shirts emblazoned with gym info at competitions, making sure to be seen by the Level Five athletes. Signs in the median of the road, attracting the attention of athletes on their way to their current gyms. There are also promises: free tuition if you’re good enough—not to mention free uniform, free travel and the assurance you’re going to Worlds. Cash bounties for getting your (talented) friend to sign up from your competitor. Cheerlebrity-style opportunities for sponsorship, exposure or branding.

In the Industry/ Web Exclusives/ webexclusive2

Spotlight: Cheer Athletics

Angela Rogers, Brad Habermel, Cheer Athletics, Jody Melton June 26, 2013

The co-founders of Cheer Athletics eye the wide expanse of blue mat and white-and-blue Panthers in front of them as the speakers thunder the lyrics, “We don’t know how to fail—Small, Medium, or Large, we’re tougher than nails and we’re gonna leave the other cats chasing their tails.” The lyrics are no empty boast: Cheer Athletics is arguably one of the most successful all-star programs in the nation.

Blogs/ Web Exclusives/ webexclusive2

Industry Reaction to GrowCheer.org

Cheer Athletics, GrowCheer.org, USASF, Varsity February 15, 2013

Yesterday’s announcement about GrowCheer.org and the push for an independent USASF sparked a range of reactions throughout the industry. While USASF has declined to comment on the matter, we were able to speak with Varsity’s VP of Public Relations Sheila Noone to learn their company’s stance. “Everything Varsity does is with an eye towards what is best for the young athletes we serve,” says Noone. “No one has more of an interest in growing all disciplines of cheerleading than Varsity, and we feel we have been a strong partner to the USASF and its members.” Read what Noone and a sampling of gym owners around the industry had to say in our exclusive round-up.