The Real Deal Behind Divisions I and II

Morton Bergue, USASF, Worlds August 25, 2015

The conversation about redistributing small gym and large gym numbers to level out the playing field of the all-star industry began two years ago at USASF regional meetings. Today, it has become USASF’s newest initiative for the 2015-2016 season.

USASF will assign gyms in Division I or Division II—previously large gym and small gym, respectively—based on the program’s total number of traditional All Star and All Star Prep athletes. A Division I gym has 126 or more traditional All Star and All Star Prep cheerleaders enrolled in their program, while a Division II gym has 125 or less.

In the Industry/ Web Exclusives

State of the Union 2015, Part Two

david sims, jamz, Morton Bergue, state of the union, Tanya Roesel March 24, 2015

For the third year in a row, CheerProfessional tapped three of the industry’s cheer “leaders” for a spirited panel discussion on our industry and its future. See what Midwest Cheer Elite’s Tanya Roesel, CheerGyms.com’s Morton Bergue and JAMZ’ David Sims have to say on the hottest topics affecting our industry in part two of our roundtable.

In the Industry/ Web Exclusives

State of the Union 2015, Part One

david sims, jamz, Morton Bergue, state of the union, Tanya Roesel March 19, 2015

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/ webexclusive1

Spotlight: Morton Bergue of CheerGyms.com

CheerGyms.com, Diversifying, Morton Bergue November 6, 2012

When in doubt, diversify, diversify, diversify. For CheerGyms.com owner Morton Bergue, all-star cheerleading is just one part of a bigger puzzle, as it comprises one-fifth of overall business. To maximize profitability, Bergue and his team regularly host classes and stunt/jump clinics for novices and school squads, and space is rented out during non-peak hours for everything from birthday parties to Tae Kwon Do classes. The move isn’t just a smart business strategy, but a necessary one.