Tag Archives: ACE

USASF Announces Age Grid Changes

Over 700 Coaches weigh in on the cheer age grid for the 2011-2012 competition season.

Memphis, Tenn., (March 16, 2011) – The USASF has announced cheer age grid changes for the 2011-2012 competition season. The new cheer age grid outlines the divisions, age guidelines, team sizes and crossover restrictions that are relevant to cheer teams for the upcoming season.

For the USASF, this marked a new procedure for cheer age grid changes. In an unprecedented process of rules meetings and discussions, the USASF met with more than 700 all star coaches during five regional meetings nationwide to develop rules and age grid proposals for the 2011-2012 season. With over 50 proposals on the slate, coaches and event producers worked tirelessly to come to consensus on each topic.

Elaine Pascale, owner of World Cup All Stars and Chairperson of the National All Star Coaches Congress of the USASF, is optimistic about creating ways to include coaches in the decisions that are crucial to their businesses. “I’m so proud of the coaches who volunteered their time to help make our sport better. “It’s great that we can test these rules for one, short competition season. Next year, we’ll have more information and statistics help us make the right decisions, especially as far as crossovers and team size.”

Many coaches appreciated the new approach towards transparency of the decision-making process. “The process was a great compromise between the coaches and the event producers in what each group thinks is best for the continued growth of the all star world, which is our shared goal,” says Happy Hooper, owner of the Ace All Stars and member of the USASF Board of Directors. “And I think next year, it will be even better.”

“The decisions we made together were a compromise to help address the needs and wishes of the gyms, the coaches and the athletes,” says Courtney Pope, owner of Cheer Extreme and member of the USASF Rules Committee. “I’m excited by any steps we can take to increase both competition and participation at any level.”

“Having voted and participated in the process, I am confident explaining the new rules to parents and my staff,” says Cherokee Greendeer of the Green Bay Elite All Stars. “As a smaller gym owner, making sure my voice is heard is so important. We represent a lot of this industry, and I’m happy to be a part of the decisions going forward.”

The USASF and its committees will be re-addressing the cheer age grid for the 2012-2013 season, and welcome feedback from coaches, gym owners and event producers. Cheer level rules and the glossary of terms for the upcoming season will be forthcoming. A copy of the 2011-12 cheer age grid can be found at www.USASF.net.

About the USASF

The U.S. All-Star Federation (USASF), based in Memphis, Tennessee, is the not for profit governing body for all star cheer and dance. The mission of the USASF is to maximize the number of participants benefiting from the positive life experiences of all star cheerleading and dance by developing competition rules and training guidelines consistent with the best known safety, educational and ethical practices. To learn more about the USASF, visit www.USASF.net.

USASF Announces Age Grid Changes Press Release

Cheersport: Atlanta 2011

Cheersport Atlanta took place on January 23rd in Atlanta, GA. This event had 150 All*Star Cheer, 11 Traditional Cheer, 7 Exhibition Cheer, and 3 All*Star Dance teams compete. This event was a qualifier for the International All Levels Championship. Paid Bids were awarded to:

  • ACE “Arapahos” (Senior Large Coed L3)
  • C4 Longhorns “Junior White” (Junior Small L2)

Event Page

The event had 150 All*Star Cheer Teams in 39 Divisions for an average of 3.85 teams per division and 3 All*Star Dance teams in 3 divisions for an average of 1.00 teams per division.

All*Star Cheer By Level

  • Level 1 – 35 Teams in 8 Divisions (4.38 Average)
  • Level 2 – 52 Teams in 10 Divisions (5.20)
  • Level 3 – 30 Teams in 9 Divisions (3.33)
  • Level 4 – 14 Teams in 4 Divisions (3.50)
  • Level 4.2 – 3 Teams in 1 Division (3.00)
  • Level 5 – 11 Teams in 5 Divisions (2.20)
  • Level 6 – 1 Team in 1 Division (1.00)
  • Special Needs – 4 Teams in 1 Division (4.00)

All*Star Cheer By Age

  • Tiny – 4 Teams in 1 Division (4.00 Average)
  • Mini – 16 Teams in 3 Divisions (5.33)
  • Youth – 29 Teams in 7 Divisions (4.14)
  • Junior – 42 Teams in 9 Divisions (4.67)
  • Senior – 48 Teams in 14 Divisions (3.43)
  • Senior Open – 6 Teams in 3 Divisions (2.00)
  • International/Open – 1 Team in 1 Division (1.00)
  • Special Needs – 4 Teams in 1 Division (4.00)

Universal Spirit: Spirit of Hope 2011

Universal Spirit Spirit of Hope took place on January 15-16 in Charlotte, NC. This event had 235 All*Star Cheer, 4 Traditional Cheer, 3 Special Need Exhibition Cheer, and 19 All*Star Dance teams compete. This event was a qualifier for Worlds. Partial Bids were awarded to:

  • Charlotte Allstars “Gold” (Senior Large L5)
  • Charlotte Allstars “Teal” (Senior Large Limited Coed L5)
  • Elite Cheer and Dance (Senior Small Limited Coed L5)
  • FAME Allstars “Celebrities” (Senior Semi Limited Coed L5)
  • JuST Cheer (Senior Small L5)

At Large Bids were awarded to:

  • ACE “Lady Warriors” (Senior Small L5)
  • Florida Top Dog (Senior Semi Limited Coed L5)
  • NC Force (International Open Coed L5)
  • Rockstar Cheer “Beatles” (Senior Small Limited Coed L5)
  • Rockstar Cheer “Rolling Stones” (Senior Large Limited Coed L5)

Event Page

The event had 235 All*Star Cheer Teams in 49 Divisions for an average of 4.80 teams per division and 19 All*Star Dance teams in 9 divisions for an average of 2.11 teams per division.

All*Star Cheer By Level

  • Level 1 – 42 Teams in 9 Divisions (4.67 Average)
  • Level 2 – 66 Teams in 11 Divisions (6.00)
  • Level 3 – 49 Teams in 10 Divisions (4.90)
  • Level 4 – 32 Teams in 7 Divisions (4.57)
  • Level 4.2 – 7 Teams in 1 Division (7.00)
  • Level 5 – 39 Teams in 11 Divisions (3.55)

All*Star Cheer By Age

  • Tiny – 9 Teams in 2 Divisions (4.50 Average)
  • Mini – 23 Teams in 5 Divisions (4.60)
  • Youth – 41 Teams in 8 Divisions (5.13)
  • Junior – 55 Teams in 12 Divisions (4.58)
  • Senior – 92 Teams in 18 Divisions (5.11)
  • Senior Open – 11 Teams in 2 Divisions (5.50)
  • International/Open – 4 Teams in 2 Divisions (2.00)

Will You Answer the Call for Help From the Tribe?

ACE Cheer Company and Cheer for a Cause have united to raise funds for Coach Matt McCallum’s kidney transplant. Matt’s kidneys were damaged when he was just seven years old. Now 24, and on dialysis for nearly four years, he will receive a life saving kidney transplant on November 11th.

Birmingham, Alabama, November 9, 2010 – ACE Cheer Company is truly a family of all kinds and a family of caring and loving people from all over this country! This year, ACE was called to do something very special for one of their own. They teamed up with Cheer for a Cause and kicked off a fundraiser at their Meet the Tribe Showcase in October to help Matt McCallum with the enormous expenses he faces.

Matt, a 24-year-old coach in the Murfreesboro gym, will receive a kidney transplant on November 11th. What’s really special is that the donor is Kelley Zeringue, wife of ACE co-owner JR Zeringue! Although 100% of the donor’s expenses are covered by the Kidney Donor Fund, Matt’s medical expenses and medications are not covered and are estimated to be $200,000. A direct donation link to the Fund is on ACE’s home page at http://www.acetribe.com.

JR Zeringue, co-owner of the Gadsden gym, and organizer of the event says, “We would appreciate any help you can offer toward our endeavor to help this young man live a normal life.” JR and owner Happy Hooper knew Matt’s need would be felt deeply by the ACE family of teams.

ACE Cheer Company and Cheer for a Cause are reaching out to our U.S.-wide cheer family and even our global family to help this young man. They have produced a video and posted it on YouTube to share his message. Will you rise to the call for help from the Tribe?

When Matt was seven, doctors found a blockage in his urinary tract that damaged his kidneys. At age 21, Matt’s kidneys completely shut down and he has been on dialysis ever since. Matt worked at ACE’s Murfreesboro gym since 2005, and moved from Premier to ACE this April. He cheered at Middle Tennessee State University for two years and met his wife, Brittany, at the ACE gym (both coach at the Murfreesboro gym). The two are newlyweds, and were married on March 6th.

The Meet the Tribe event brought in $7,200 toward The Matt McCallum Kidney Transplant Fund. Last Sunday, JR participated in a benefit motorcycle ride for Matt in Fort Payne, and they raised an additional $200!

On the “Praying for Matt McCallum & Kelley Zeringue” Facebook group, JR Zeringue posted yesterday, “I just wanted to share the first bit of great news. Matt and Kelley preregistered today and due to your generosity Matt and Britt were able to pay their copayment today and received a 20% discount for paying it up front! Praise God!” This is a first step toward this young couple being able to meet the enormous obligations they face for continuing healthcare and medication. And they’re counting on our help.

Coach Julie Bolton, founder of Cheer for a Cause, said, “There is an tremendous amount of passion and heart within the cheer community. And Matt’s need gives us an opportunity to unite to make a significant difference in his life.”

ACE Cheer Company was founded in Alabama in 1999, and is beginning their 11th season. ACE includes six locations: Homewood, Fairhope/Eastern Shore and Gadsden, AL; Atlanta, GA; Murfreesboro and Nashville, TN. ACE is a progressive, national and world recognized leader in the competitive cheerleading industry and has grown to be one of the largest all-star programs in the world. ACE Cheer Company has been featured in Gymnastics Technique Magazine, American Cheerleader, Inside Cheerleading, Cheer Coach and Advisor, CheerBiz News, All-Star Cheer and The Cheerleader Magazine. ACE has also been recognized by various other media sources, such as The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, ESPN, Fox Sports, Discovery Channel, state/local cable channels, newspapers, a feature a spot on the Disney Channel and in the 2009 USASF national promotion campaign. In 2009, American Cheerleader Magazine again ranked ACE in the top 15 programs in the nation.

Cheer for a Cause is based in Lake Mary, FL, and was founded by Julie Bolton. Their mission is to unite the Cheer World through charitable causes and create a global impact.

Look for Cheer for a Cause to show up at an event near you! Reach Cheer for a Cause at weshare@cheerforacause.org or on facebook groups at Cheer for a Cause. Their website, which is being donated by Jam Spirit Sites, will be up at http://www.cheerforacause.org by December 1st.

Matt McCallum Kidney Transplant Fund Press Release

Dear Spirit Post: USASF Board

Spirit Post was sent this email:

Anonymous wrote:

Who is on the USASF Board?

Thanks

Website:

IP: 166.137.8.46

The voting members of the USASF Board of Directors are:

  1. USASF Chairman – Jim Chadwick
  2. USASF Representative – Steve Peterson
  3. ACA Representative – Lance Wagers
  4. CHEERSPORT Representative – Jeff Fowlkes
  5. JAM Brands Representative – Aaron Flaker
  6. NCA Representative – Karen Halterman
  7. UCA Representative – John Newby
  8. UDA Representative – Catherine Morris
  9. USA Representative – Mike Burgess
  10. NACCC Representative – Elaine Pascale
  11. Coach Representative – Jody Melton, Cheer Athletics
  12. Coach Representative – Mac Hirshberg, Mac’s All-Stars
  13. Coach Representative – Happy Hooper, ACE Cheer Company

The non-voting members are:

  • IEP Representative – Colleen Little
  • JAM Brands Representative – Steve Wedge
  • Varsity Brands Representative – James Speed

We keep a list of who’s on the board on our USASF Board of Directors page.