All-Star Double Edge Sword

[PracticePerfect]

So this could quite possible start WW1 on fierce board but I feel as though it is a pretty good discussion. While I am a huge fan/admirer of big gyms. Don't you think in reality we are kinda creating a monster. As we look at the forums and topics of competitions. For the most part we mainly focus on the big names WC, CAE, Twister, Stingrays, you get the point. There are sooooo many small struggling gyms out there that have AMAZING talent. But if the name isn't known/as popular, if they beat a team that is popular, there has to be a "reason". For some talented kids, when they reach a certain level of potential if their team doesn't catch up, we kinda push them towards the big gyms (if they can afford it or make the travel).

For example: I saw a comment once about the new CJA reality show called, Jersey Cheer that someone made saying, something along the lines of why would they pick them. Not WC, twisters,etc. Is that what people think?? That allstar cheerleading is only about those teams or that we should only focus on these teams??

I'll end by saying again, I totally admire and I'm amazed by big gyms and their programs. But we can't forget or appreciate the rest of the gyms that have sometimes trained and nurtured the kids and coaches before they decided to move on and now we only recognize because of the "BIG" name. I personally will always be a fan of the underdog and I will try to remain the forever optimistic, in hope that the judges and fans can see the teams for what they each individually are and not the "just" the name...

Food for thought, competitions with uniforms with no names.... LOL

 

[pailum520]

I think it shouldn't be about the program, but about the specific team itself.

 

[The Sixth]

First off, I'd say the "little gym, whoa is me" is vastly over exaggerated on here. There are plenty of gyms that aren't big names (relatively) that are successful.

I'm not saying this to directly refute what you're saying, but adding this as perspective. Have you ever considered the possibility that cheerleading might not even have the popularity it does now, if it weren't for the big names (big gyms)? Following along the lines of what you're saying, if every gym was a small gym that only had a handful of talent relative to the size of the gym, you would in turn have a lot less talented routines.

Missing would be the shock and awe of CEA SE's heel to heel tic tocs, Orange's perfectly coordinated jumps, or F5's amazing tumbling, WCSS's swagger, etc. There are just some things that don't have the same effect and visible wow factor if you don't have that talent from top to bottom. And i'm not saying this CAN'T be done by smaller gyms, but it's clearly much easier for gyms that choose from a larger pool. And in a sport that fights for respectability, the easier it can be to draw in those casual viewers with amazing performances the better.

 

[AllHeartxo3]

There are always going to be the big gyms around, you can't hate on their success. They have been around a long time and have worked for what they have achieved so far. A small gym most likely hasn't been around as long as they have and therefore wouldn't have the notoriety as most of them have. Sure there are some awesome small gyms, but until they start making their name in the cheer world, they aren't going to get the recognition for it. That's just the way it works.

 

[JUSTICE]

Big or small, talent is talent!! The only advantage the big gyms have is the pool that they pull from. But in all reality, the pool that most big gyms pull from has come from the smaller gyms. It's kind of like evolution. A lot of small gyms produce great athletes, then they need somewhere to go to grow further. It's the nature of the beast. With bigger name gyms, you have more of an opportunity, more of a choice as to where you fit! Not knocking small gyms at all, because I have seen first hand that they can produce amazing althletes--and unfortunately they don't always get recognized for doing so because the talent "they" produced has moved on, beyond what the small gym was able to provide. The new "big" gym utilizes that talent to bolster their own!!! It's a natural progression in any sport!

 

[ztaprincess]

Those big name gyms were once small gyms and they worked their butts off to get where they are today. Today it may be harder for a small gym to work their way to the top because there are more big gyms then there once were, but it can still be done.

Look at Butler right now, this is there second year in the championship game. They came out of nowhere and are a semi small school that most people before last year had no idea where they were located. But they worked there butts off to get noticed and have their name mixed in with the big names like Duke and Kentucky. These small gyms have to do the same thing. Work harder and harder and eventually the work will pay off and the recognition will come.

 

[marissa.d]

Big gyms are big for a reason - they deserve it!
not saying that small gyms do not, but big gyms are rarely ever a new gym, and have had many, many years working towards what they have now!

 

[amanda]

So this could quite possible start WW1 on fierce board but I feel as though it is a pretty good discussion. While I am a huge fan/admirer of big gyms. Don't you think in reality we are kinda creating a monster. As we look at the forums and topics of competitions. For the most part we mainly focus on the big names WC, CAE, Twister, Stingrays, you get the point. There are sooooo many small struggling gyms out there that have AMAZING talent. But if the name isn't known/as popular, if they beat a team that is popular, there has to be a "reason". For some talented kids, when they reach a certain level of potential if their team doesn't catch up, we kinda push them towards the big gyms (if they can afford it or make the travel).

For example: I saw a comment once about the new CJA reality show called, Jersey Cheer that someone made saying, something along the lines of why would they pick them. Not WC, twisters,etc. Is that what people think?? That allstar cheerleading is only about those teams or that we should only focus on these teams??

I'll end by saying again, I totally admire and I'm amazed by big gyms and their programs. But we can't forget or appreciate the rest of the gyms that have sometimes trained and nurtured the kids and coaches before they decided to move on and now we only recognize because of the "BIG" name. I personally will always be a fan of the underdog and I will try to remain the forever optimistic, in hope that the judges and fans can see the teams for what they each individually are and not the "just" the name...

Food for thought, competitions with uniforms with no names.... LOL

YOU ARE SO WRIGHT! When ever i see the places and notice a "no name" team beat a popular name team i always look on youtube to see if the popular team dropped etc. to be honest...most of the time they do...but when they dont i am very surprised but also happy for the "no name" gym!

 

[CoachJessNHS]

Just like everyone says, big gyms are big for millions of reasons. That's where everyone wants to go and be apart of! And the small gyms have to do the work to make themselves known, and eventually may even become a Big Gym someday! Yay!

 

[acastars]

My gym called All Star Cheer Academy beat Maryland Twisters and Spririt Explosion this weekend, it was a big accomplishment.

 

[King]

The big gyms can only pay off so many judges. Sometimes we run out of money and we lose a comp or two.

OR sometimes people expect more from you because you are a big name gym. And they are harder on you just cause of your name. A small mistake for you is counted as huge.

And, welcome to the board. But if you actually started a war it be world war IX. Cause you're not he first to make such a silly argument.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

 

[StarshipTrooper]

The big gyms can only pay off so many judges. Sometimes we run out of money and we lose a comp or two.

OR sometimes people expect more from you because you are a big name gym. And they are harder on you just cause of your name. A small mistake for you is counted as huge.

And, welcome to the board. But if you actually started a war it be world war IX. Cause you're not he first to make such a silly argument.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

Who cares about big gyms, make it fair with small teams. WWX.

 

[Deleted member 1556]

Honestly, people on this board care about and like who's good. If a beast team is from a mega gym, they will get a lot of buzz. If they are from the middle of no where, same thing. If your good, people will notice.

 

[kristenthegreat]

Some people consider, I don't know, C4 Longhorns a smaller gym, yet they get BOATLOADS of respect from people on here. Why? 'Cause they're a talented, clean gym. Also, if the smaller gyms are good and go to bigger nationals, people WILL notice them. But keep in mind: when I first heard of allstar cheer, I only knew about the big-name gyms because I only knew about the big-name nationals: NCA/UCA/Cheersport/Athletic Championships (because they were broadcasted on Varsity)..If you had asked me about some of the smaller programs from Cali/Colorado/Arizona/Nevada, I couldn't even tell you (I still can't!) because many of them don't go to bigger nationals that I follow. I learned about some of the smaller programs once I got into competition, but only in my area. If you're a small, TALENTED, gym who attends bigger nationals, you WILL get noticed. Eventually.

 

[PracticePerfect]

This is what forum/discussions are for right, Opening a non-negative comment of idea/line of question. I can't understand why people get defensive and then in turn have to criticize. The post I made definitely wasn't an argument, the statements I made were questions.

Again, I will say I respect and admire big gyms for everything they stand for. I don't live in denial land, I know that they have done ALOT to get where they are. I also realize that in every sport there is always going to be teams to watch for. Professional sports being different because the athletes get PAID and in most cases with All-star cheerleading parents foot the bill. For the idea that our kids get to be apart of an pretty amazing sport. But in turn, we all know money is the root of even the all-star evil. Some gyms have the best coaches and best music, best facility because of money. Never said they didn't DESERVE it or work very, very hard for it. Just asked the question, does that mean a team without those things but just as much talent shouldn't get the recognition they deserve? Again question. I am also complete aware that there are a lot of types of gyms out there. Not just big or small gyms. I just said Big Gym as a term, (should have said big names) There are a lot of amazing programs in the middle I have seem over the years get even more amazing but I'm not gonna sit here and say I feel they gotten the credit they deserve.

That being said my idea for opening the topic was to get the views of other people on how they see competitions and their feelings on their own personal experiences. I agree very much with the statement it shouldn't be about the gym it should be about the team. I appreciate everyone's comment and respect every opinion given. Thanks for the feedback.