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Dec 14, 2009
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Cheerleading's peculiar path to potential Olympic sport

No matter what side of the argument you are on, understanding some of the history of events will help you to understand why people are as passionate as they are on their positions.

Personal note: This is something we have been discussing on the boards way back in the Pro X days. Good to finally see some of the things people who were run off the boards as misinformed, crazies, and conspiracy theorists actually come to the light of day and be found to be true.
 
Cheerleading's peculiar path to potential Olympic sport

No matter what side of the argument you are on, understanding some of the history of events will help you to understand why people are as passionate as they are on their positions.

Personal note: This is something we have been discussing on the boards way back in the Pro X days. Good to finally see some of the things people who were run off the boards as misinformed, crazies, and conspiracy theorists actually come to the light of day and be found to be true.
I hate you for beating me to this. LOL. How messed up is it that so many people were written off as crazy because their assertions sounded out of the norm?

Sometimes I feel like I go too hard when posting about issues like this, and then I read articles like this, or posting from people like you and don't feel so crazy. Thanks.
 
I hate you for beating me to this. LOL. How messed up is it that so many people were written off as crazy because their assertions sounded out of the norm?

Sometimes I feel like I go too hard when posting about issues like this, and then I read articles like this, or posting from people like you and don't feel so crazy. Thanks.

I think there were two camps back then, perhaps even now. The one group that wanted to believe everything they were told at face value because of the person saying it, and those that worked behind the scenes for the company and did not let it be known they were working for or with them. So if _____ who coached ______ or cheered ________ or choreographed __________said it, it was true. Period. And the company used that to their advantage. Or those that monitored the boards and reported back what and who was saying what. I remember on one of the boards there was some type of filter that flagged certain words for the moderators to check those posts all the time for its content. It kept some potentially volatile threads in check to be true, but at the same time it alerted when a subject matter was being talked about that could of been "not flattering" to the company. Easy to report back nd say what was being said.

I am glad that this stuff is coming out. At least people can make better informed choices. Although there are way less choices now than there were back then.
 
I am glad that this stuff is coming out. At least people can make better informed choices. Although there are way less choices now than there were back then.

While I think the article is interesting, there's nothing really peculiar about its path from a business standpoint. To quote the article on Jeff Webb's thoughts on the decision, "a monumental milestone for cheerleading" and "the culmination of my life's work". The difference between the "board" and the boardroom, is it becomes about federal, state, and city laws, regulations, liability, safety, growth potential/ceilings and how things like new regulations in healthcare and medical discoveries become obstacles blocking goals and effecting profit margins. The difference between the board and the boardroom is trying to get several organizations to mirror and sync to the needs of each other and to have the funding, legal, and cooperation to achieve that goal. My guess is people weren't run off for stating the obvious, my guess is they were run off for naming those they felt were the villains and saints in business.
 
While I think the article is interesting, there's nothing really peculiar about its path from a business standpoint. To quote the article on Jeff Webb's thoughts on the decision, "a monumental milestone for cheerleading" and "the culmination of my life's work". The difference between the "board" and the boardroom, is it becomes about federal, state, and city laws, regulations, liability, safety, growth potential/ceilings and how things like new regulations in healthcare and medical discoveries become obstacles blocking goals and effecting profit margins. The difference between the board and the boardroom is trying to get several organizations to mirror and sync to the needs of each other and to have the funding, legal, and cooperation to achieve that goal. My guess is people weren't run off for stating the obvious, my guess is they were run off for naming those they felt were the villains and saints in business.
I am amazed at the puffery in light of the truth. Had the path resembled the road less traveled I might agree but I know more than most.
 
I am amazed at the puffery in light of the truth. Had the path resembled the road less traveled I might agree but I know more than most.

Gotta love how people who question the majority view point in this industry are oblivious to how business works...smh. I saved enough DM's, emails, etc. to know what I am talking about. I meet new people and learn even more about back then and even right now. It was ruthless then and it is ruthless now. Just more bling and sparkle on it now.
 
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Funny how much has been written on these boards about this. In 2011 the NCAA made it clear that it thought NCATA was closest to being a sport but wanted the to join with STUNT for a single proposal: NCAA committee looks into new sport | NCAA.com

There was a clear path then to becoming a sport but Varsity chose to not take any action except block any STUNT schools from participating in NCA/UCA competitions if they participated in NCATA.

@tumbleyoda I recall all the posts about this subject as well, but trust me. . ."those mods" never used filters to look for certain conversations or favor any company - least of all that one. We only looked for swear words.
 
I am amazed at the puffery in light of the truth. Had the path resembled the road less traveled I might agree but I know more than most.
Gotta love how people who question the majority view point in this industry are oblivious to how business works...smh. I saved enough DM's, emails, etc. to know what I am talking about. I meet new people and learn even more about back then and even right now. It was ruthless then and it is ruthless now. Just more bling and sparkle on it now.

Who's questioning the majority? The majority talks about things such as what is fair and who was the closest to the finish line. The boardroom looks at a room full of lawyers and they discuss laws by state, similar cases that happened and the outcomes, current laws and laws that are being proposed. They talk about budgets, profit margins and if their strategies align. What about the impact on the rising cost of healthcare and children's sport injuries? Has anyone discussed the impact on cheer, gymnastics or stunt from that vantage point? Rising deductibles? New information on developing brains, bones, tendons and muscles? High school budgets and liability? Will schools exist as we know them 10, 20, 30 years down the line with increased operation costs and increased online and home schooling? Will all children's sports eventually be privately run/ran (grammar police)? These are the boardroom discussions, it's not "puffery" it's reality.
 
Funny how much has been written on these boards about this. In 2011 the NCAA made it clear that it thought NCATA was closest to being a sport but wanted the to join with STUNT for a single proposal: NCAA committee looks into new sport | NCAA.com

There was a clear path then to becoming a sport but Varsity chose to not take any action except block any STUNT schools from participating in NCA/UCA competitions if they participated in NCATA.

@tumbleyoda I recall all the posts about this subject as well, but trust me. . ."those mods" never used filters to look for certain conversations or favor any company - least of all that one. We only looked for swear words.

Some of my recollections and conversations may be predating the time you started serving as a moderator. The convos I refer to go back from ProX to the the two versions of I Miss the X Boards to Fierceboard, The Illinois boards, the California boards, as well as a few of other boards that sprung up in between. While I agree with you on the filters for curse words, the filters also caught certain gym names/programs or other things as well. Depending on what it was set to or who was looking. Not much different that a word search. Doing this was not a bad or illegal thing and given the volatility of the boards back then understandable. But it was one that can and some say was easily manipulated for selfish reason. Whether that reason was to curry favor, expose someone or provide crucial data to a company.

Once the system is in place the only thing standing in the way of misuse is the integrity and ethics of those that operate those systems. IMO I don't believe that so many of these events are just coincidentally linked. They are not just isolated occurrences that just happened. There are too many "coincidences" of timing partnerships, deals, etc that no rational person could conclude just happened. Is it business? Of course and in business it is ruthless with lying as one of the tactics to obtain your objective.

But as a client those decisions affect whether or not I want to continue to support them.
 
Who's questioning the majority? The majority talks about things such as what is fair and who was the closest to the finish line. The boardroom looks at a room full of lawyers and they discuss laws by state, similar cases that happened and the outcomes, current laws and laws that are being proposed. They talk about budgets, profit margins and if their strategies align. What about the impact on the rising cost of healthcare and children's sport injuries? Has anyone discussed the impact on cheer, gymnastics or stunt from that vantage point? Rising deductibles? New information on developing brains, bones, tendons and muscles? High school budgets and liability? Will schools exist as we know them 10, 20, 30 years down the line with increased operation costs and increased online and home schooling? Will all children's sports eventually be privately run/ran (grammar police)? These are the boardroom discussions, it's not "puffery" it's reality.

So you think the boardrooms of oh let's see the NFL, NHL, and FIFA for instance ...throw in a youth organization like Pop Warner made decisions where the main priority wasn't their bottom line. These board rooms and their lawyers are doing anything they can to keep the discovery process in check and opting to settle rather than have the unaware public know what those boardroom discussions and some of their bottom line concerns are all about. As to the puffery... Standing by it and it's legal definition as I interpret it... Not saying I'm right... But there is a history which has been previously reported on which I know to be true.
 
Who's questioning the majority? The majority talks about things such as what is fair and who was the closest to the finish line. The boardroom looks at a room full of lawyers and they discuss laws by state, similar cases that happened and the outcomes, current laws and laws that are being proposed. They talk about budgets, profit margins and if their strategies align. What about the impact on the rising cost of healthcare and children's sport injuries? Has anyone discussed the impact on cheer, gymnastics or stunt from that vantage point? Rising deductibles? New information on developing brains, bones, tendons and muscles? High school budgets and liability? Will schools exist as we know them 10, 20, 30 years down the line with increased operation costs and increased online and home schooling? Will all children's sports eventually be privately run/ran (grammar police)? These are the boardroom discussions, it's not "puffery" it's reality.
about those boardrooms: Bennet Omalu gets involved in NHL concussion lawsuit - Article - TSN
 
So you think the boardrooms of oh let's see the NFL, NHL, and FIFA for instance ...throw in a youth organization like Pop Warner made decisions where the main priority wasn't their bottom line. These board rooms and their lawyers are doing anything they can to keep the discovery process in check and opting to settle rather than have the unaware public know what those boardroom discussions and some of their bottom line concerns are all about. As to the puffery... Standing by it and it's legal definition as I interpret it... Not saying I'm right... But there is a history which has been previously reported on which I know to be true.

There are no saints in business, the bottom line is always priority, it is always selfish, and there are no coincidences. But, in that selfishness to protect their own and others monetary investments, remember there are also employees, employees kids, employees benefits, employees retirements, homes, etc. So, "yes", I will agree that business gets in your face ugly especially when paths start crossing and finish lines come into play. And, most important, if collusion or unethical business practices (legal definition, not our own) came into play, lawsuits will be filed.

Serious question because I'm truly interested in how you would handle this situation on the last article you posted, "You head up the NHL, what do you do?" Do you turn to your thousands of investors, owners, players, ticket holders, and employees and say, "Sorry, we can't do this anymore, it's irresponsible?" Or, do you look for ways to discredit the findings and strive to find a way to make it safer? Mind you, I agree with the doctor and his findings. But, with that said, I find this "look at how evil they are" rather glib when I know if put in the same position, you would do the exact same thing, for the exact same reason. There are thousands of people relying on you and your decision so, right or wrong you WILL cling to whatever miniscule glimmer of hope you have to protect them.

But as a client those decisions affect whether or not I want to continue to support them.

If you would have opened with this comment, I would have wholeheartedly agreed. We have the law and our own moral compass, from there, we get to choose where we spend our money.
 
There are no saints in business, the bottom line is always priority, it is always selfish, and there are no coincidences. But, in that selfishness to protect their own and others monetary investments, remember there are also employees, employees kids, employees benefits, employees retirements, homes, etc. So, "yes", I will agree that business gets in your face ugly especially when paths start crossing and finish lines come into play. And, most important, if collusion or unethical business practices (legal definition, not our own) came into play, lawsuits will be filed.

Serious question because I'm truly interested in how you would handle this situation on the last article you posted, "You head up the NHL, what do you do?" Do you turn to your thousands of investors, owners, players, ticket holders, and employees and say, "Sorry, we can't do this anymore, it's irresponsible?" Or, do you look for ways to discredit the findings and strive to find a way to make it safer? Mind you, I agree with the doctor and his findings. But, with that said, I find this "look at how evil they are" rather glib when I know if put in the same position, you would do the exact same thing, for the exact same reason. There are thousands of people relying on you and your decision so, right or wrong you WILL cling to whatever miniscule glimmer of hope you have to protect them.



If you would have opened with this comment, I would have wholeheartedly agreed. We have the law and our own moral compass, from there, we get to choose where we spend our money.

Very excellent points. However, when the science findings of facts are recorded decades prior and the boardroom and their lawyers don't change the game leaving years of carnage behind them, we are talking a much different game... Typically class action. Kinda like big tobacco. So if the revenue potential outweighes the risk of doing what's best for those that play the game outside of the big bad board room...umm no...if I were put in that position as a voting board member my vote would have been pro truth, pro player protection, proactive.... rather than reactive cuz I'm about to get caught. But than again, I am all for consumer protection before big business and I am a parent of precious cargo.
 
Very excellent points. However, when the science findings of facts are recorded decades prior and the boardroom and their lawyers don't change the game leaving years of carnage behind them, we are talking a much different game... Typically class action. Kinda like big tobacco. So if the revenue potential outweighes the risk of doing what's best for those that play the game outside of the big bad board room...umm no...if I were put in that position as a voting board member my vote would have been pro truth, pro player protection, proactive.... rather than reactive cuz I'm about to get caught. But than again, I am all for consumer protection before big business and I am a parent of precious cargo.

I do admire your stance. I guess I've just witnessed too many people, good and bad, seek out second, third, fourth, one hundredth opinions to support the "truth" they need when it comes to business, finance, health and relationships. If you are truly that person that will give up all you have and what thousands of your employees have without a fight, no worries, you will never be in a boardroom. :D I mean that as a compliment... I wouldn't want you to be the CEO of the company I work for but, a coach for my kid, 100% without a doubt!
 
I do admire your stance. I guess I've just witnessed too many people, good and bad, seek out second, third, fourth, one hundredth opinions to support the "truth" they need when it comes to business, finance, health and relationships. If you are truly that person that will give up all you have and what thousands of your employees have without a fight, no worries, you will never be in a boardroom. :D I mean that as a compliment... I wouldn't want you to be the CEO of the company I work for but, a coach for my kid, 100% without a doubt!

Thanks for the vote of confidence and I'll be the first to admit I see the world through rose colored glasses at times BUT I am a bit confused. Question: So if you worked for a company like PG & E ( Erin Brokovitch) and you were on the board and knew the water was tainted... You wouldn't want me to be your CEO but I could coach your daughter while she swam in it? Not trying to be a jerk because I obviously need a lesson in big business. And I don't mean that as an insult. The business of kids in sports is not like the business of Walmart from my lens.
 
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