All-Star Cover Up Rule, For Those That Have Competed This Season

[Mom2Cheergirls]

Don't get me wrong- I know 'why' it was created, and am perfectly aware that a shirt is acceptable. But don't be mistaken that they weren't thinking about a potential green paper-lining in it as well. The MOMENT one major team walks out with gorgeous warm ups, it's going to be the hot ticket item to have..cheer isn't just a sport, it's VERY much a business.

I guess I am used to having kids on teams with nice warm ups - even when my kids did rec they had nice warm ups.

 

[Mom2Cheergirls]

This is the part that bugs me more than anything. If it is truly about representation of our sport, then the full top rule should be in effect now. I'll use Indy as an example, since all the hotels and the mall are attached to the convention center. I see numerous cheerleaders running around the mall there in just their uniforms, putting it all out there. Personally, like I said before, my CP is covered up, especially outside of the gym/competitions. However, there are lots that aren't, and USASF can't do one thing about it once you step outside of that convention center. Inside a competition venue, everyone is pretty much there for the same purpose and understands the uniforms. Outside though, that's when the general public gets a peek into our world, and I cringe when I see a group of half-naked teenagers running around the mall in Indy and wonder what people must think of allstar cheer.

And I think that this is why it is guidelines. Because if you can get the culture to change at events that being covered up after you perform then it will at some point transfer to this situation. I mean if you look at the young teams now and this becomes their norm and gyms start mandating it at their gym level then the hope would be that team parents and coaches would mandate with their CPs and it would be just the norm when younger cheerleaders get older versus the path of the ever shrinking crop top. Create a guideline have it become the norm and then go from there - at the start resistance will happen but as gyms make it their norm so it goes.... trickle down theory.... still would be great if USASF could perhaps now take note and touch base with gyms they find not following the guidelines and send a gentle reminder at least for now....then it sort of makes the guidelines have some weight???? Not sure - some time baby steps are the right path... at least they are trying something.

 

[CAmamakat]

I want one thing to be clear. I don't disagree with the rule in and of itself. That's not what I'm questioning in any way. I keep my kid covered up off the mat, and I feel that is appropriate, especially at her young age. I will comply with this rule, our program is complying with this rule, and I don't really have a problem with that part of it. I agree 100% that appropriate appearance is necessary.

I guess what I am questioning (in what has completely strayed from my original question in this thread) is the effectiveness of this rule in regards to what USASF is trying to accomplish. If it really, truly is about the image of our sport, then I don't think this rule is necessarily the most effective way to address it. It may be a starting point, which it seems to be, but it seems a little narrow in its scope to fully address the issue of image.

Side note: CAmamakat, do you have team moms or someone that is allowed into the warm-up area with the team? I ask because for us, backpacks pretty much have to stay with the parents while the vast majority of athletes (a lot of senior athletes do hang onto them) are in warm-ups and competing. We have no one but coaches allowed back with the teams to hold onto things. That leads to a logistical issue of making sure that each parent gets their kid covered up when they are released after the performance, and that was the reason for my original post. Despite repeated reminders from our program and myself, I can't guarantee that everyone will comply with the rule.

I totally know you weren't questioning the rule, I honestly just saw some that had remarks and didn't seem to agree so I went on my soapbox.
As far as your concerns, I think the USASF is starting at this point, I'm sure there is more to come at some pt and this was probably an easy solution for now. I'm not sure how they will regulate, I'm assuming the EP's have to & also as a gym owner, you can do what you can. I can definitely find out for you how this will be regulated.
As far as our team reps.. Yes they go to warm ups with teams. They are the ones that watch over backpacks.
If yours can't, my only suggestion would be have the rep take the cover ups off before warm ups and keep them with her or the backpacks with her until they come off the map or maybe have a 2nd team rep that is in charge of that.
Just some suggestions.

 

[Coach Troy]

I have already put my feelings out on how this "image" campaign is so unnecessary and one sided so I will just say this about the "cover ups".... it cannot be regulated or enforced and is just a big waste of time .... I know it will be put in our competition information sheet and that is the last I will think about it. I will not put this burden on our team parents nor my coaching staff, they already do so much on a competition day..

 

[Tosh]

I just have to add my two cents after reading through the entire thread....Money? really!
I have been involved with Rec, MS and HS cheerleading for over 12 years now. My daughter did all-star her senior year in HS because the colleges she was looking had a more NCA style cheer versus HS UCA.....so the first time I went to an AS competition I was shocked! I love the uni's, did not think they were appropriate for little girls, 5, 6, 7, etc. and then the sparkle sequin makeup....on a 5 year old! I am sure that is someone's dream; and I don't mean that in a good way.....this was my first impression. I have since warmed up to the unis, but I don't know one competition of the 12-15 I went to where there girls were not walking around, the street, from hotel to venu, at the hotel, eating outside the venue, etc....that is way too much and believe it or not, it does give the "sport" a bad reputation.
So while many may not appreciate the new rule for what ever reason, we need to put aside our personal issues/complains and look at the bigger picture. Also ask yourself, what is the harm?
Also, as mentioned is many of the previous posts, many owners/coaches insist that their girls wear coverups for various reasons: modesty, keeping makup/food off the unis, as well as the element of surprise etc. so my question is, who many teams out there do not already have warm-up/practice T-shirt that can be used as a coverup and still be uniformed? I can't image of one......So MONEY, can't be a movitation behind the ruling....
Stop!....JMO

 

[purpleblue&white]

I just have to add my two cents after reading through the entire thread....Money? really!
I have been involved with Rec, MS and HS cheerleading for over 12 years now. My daughter did all-star her senior year in HS because the colleges she was looking had a more NCA style cheer versus HS UCA.....so the first time I went to an AS competition I was shocked! I love the uni's, did not think they were appropriate for little girls, 5, 6, 7, etc. and then the sparkle sequin makeup....on a 5 year old! I am sure that is someone's dream; and I don't mean that in a good way.....this was my first impression. I have since warmed up to the unis, but I don't know one competition of the 12-15 I went to where there girls were not walking around, the street, from hotel to venu, at the hotel, eating outside the venue, etc....that is way too much and believe it or not, it does give the "sport" a bad reputation.
So while many may not appreciate the new rule for what ever reason, we need to put aside our personal issues/complains and look at the bigger picture. Also ask yourself, what is the harm?
Also, as mentioned is many of the previous posts, many owners/coaches insist that their girls wear coverups for various reasons: modesty, keeping makup/food off the unis, as well as the element of surprise etc. so my question is, who many teams out there do not already have warm-up/practice T-shirt that can be used as a coverup and still be uniformed? I can't image of one......So MONEY, can't be a movitation behind the ruling....
Stop!....JMO

You are my new best friend, people are trying to make more of it than it is. Kids will walk in the venue dressed for success, take their t-shirts/ warmups off, compete, meet families or whatnot & put a tshirt/ warmup back on, it is not rocket science. I am a team parent & I am not going to holding onto 30 sets of warmups or tshirts or backpacks for that matter. It will all work out.

 

[kristenthegreat]

A t-shirt isn't going to make a girl who walks around with her skirt unzipped, pj pants and uggs on change her behavior.

Instead, she will be a girl with a t-shirt over her unzipped uni, pj pants on under her skirt and uggs on. If you have a problem with that behavior, switch gyms.

Do I think it's tacky- heck yes. Would I ever do it myself? Heck no. But that behavior is as much dictated by gym culture as anything. And as long as these are 'guidelines', they aren't going to change. Gyms that don't allow that behavior will continue to NOT allow that behavior. Gyms that don't care will continue to not care.

I'm not defending the rule OR the behavior, but I will NEVER agree with how all this went down. And I think it wasn't very much thought through..

 

[MakeYourMark]

Throughout this entire thread i though, "What about worlds?" I do not want to be walking around the competition area in a tshirt or jacket in Florida. If I have my uniform on, that's hot enough. Not to mention, almost every team has a sports bra worlds practice set, many of these teams practicing on the fields just outside of the milkhouse.

 

[PullandPray23]

Ill be shirtless at most comps this season y'all...feel free to gawk.

 

[CAmamakat]

Throughout this entire thread i though, "What about worlds?" I do not want to be walking around the competition area in a tshirt or jacket in Florida. If I have my uniform on, that's hot enough. Not to mention, almost every team has a sports bra worlds practice set, many of these teams practicing on the fields just outside of the milkhouse.

This is a great question! I would think practice & all that is fine. Our athletes always wear teams shirts at Worlds over UNi before they compete but after walk around without one so... I have no clue what the rules will be. Hmmm

 

[12stepCheermom]

Ok... I'm somewhat shocked at some of these comments. We preach "real sport", "athletes", "take us seriously" but yet some want our kids to walk around in uni with no cover up?... Really?!! Or better yet..pj pants, uggs, with UNi top?? Umm no! I can go on forever about this..
Uniforms are supposed to be seen on the mat when competing and when waiting for awards & pics.
You will never see a CA athlete walking around before they compete without their shirt (designated by team rep) over their UNi top with black shorts/black warm up pants on. You will also never see one of our athletes walk in without their cheer shoes on. This is policy. It is required and not an option.
Your athletes represent your program and why wouldn't you want them to look professional and uniform when they walk in & around the competition.
I love the rule and hope that everyone respects it.

And if any gym can show their Abs it would be CA! I'm with you, our gym has sways required full uniforms or the assigned practice attire/warm up. No mixing and matching, no pajama pants. It's either your full uniform (and were full top) or the assigned outfit. Never had a problem with it.

 

[mommadonna]

And if any gym can show their Abs it would be CA! I'm with you, our gym has sways required full uniforms or the assigned practice attire/warm up. No mixing and matching, no pajama pants. It's either your full uniform (and were full top) or the assigned outfit. Never had a problem with it.

This is exactly our policy as well. Never had an issue that I know of.

 

[catlady]

While I was at Costco, I stood in line two rows from one of our athletes and her family. She, 11 years old, was "competition ready" with full make-up, hair, and uniform (no cover-up). For those that don't believe people talk, I heard these two comments in my line alone: "Why would any parent allow their daughter to walk around looking like a sk---" and "I didn't know streetwalkers had teams." These comments did not come from teens but, from 30-40 year old parents.

We're used to the uniform, make up, glitter, hair, and gi-normous bows but, the rest of the world...not so much. Look at your competition ready child from someone else's view, one that isn't familiar with the sport. It may give you a different perspective on covering your child up.

 

[topxofxmyxgame]

Ok... I'm somewhat shocked at some of these comments. We preach "real sport", "athletes", "take us seriously" but yet some want our kids to walk around in uni with no cover up?... Really?!! Or better yet..pj pants, uggs, with UNi top?? Umm no! I can go on forever about this..
Uniforms are supposed to be seen on the mat when competing and when waiting for awards & pics.
You will never see a CA athlete walking around before they compete without their shirt (designated by team rep) over their UNi top with black shorts/black warm up pants on. You will also never see one of our athletes walk in without their cheer shoes on. This is policy. It is required and not an option.
Your athletes represent your program and why wouldn't you want them to look professional and uniform when they walk in & around the competition.
I love the rule and hope that everyone respects it.

Can I just say that I love you! You've pretty much just said everything I was thinking and you put so eloquently. Many of the responses from others are giving me the "you can't tell me what to do" vibe however maybe if someone from your program told you want to do to begin with the USASF wouldn't have to start a new policy. At the end of the day is putting on a T-shirt to cover your mid-drift really that inconvenient and that big of a deal? At competition this past weekend I witnessed a program who put this into full action and it was great! The combination of T-shirt (which was sponsored by the gym for free), no Uggs, no jeans, only your cheer sneakers, and warm-up pants or uniform skirts that are buttoned gave the entire program a more professional look. Whether this is a rule that can be enforced remains to be seen however this should be about accountability. I for one see nothing wrong with attempting to create and uphold an image that everyone can be proud of.

 

[topxofxmyxgame]

Ok... I'm somewhat shocked at some of these comments. We preach "real sport", "athletes", "take us seriously" but yet some want our kids to walk around in uni with no cover up?... Really?!! Or better yet..pj pants, uggs, with UNi top?? Umm no! I can go on forever about this..
Uniforms are supposed to be seen on the mat when competing and when waiting for awards & pics.
You will never see a CA athlete walking around before they compete without their shirt (designated by team rep) over their UNi top with black shorts/black warm up pants on. You will also never see one of our athletes walk in without their cheer shoes on. This is policy. It is required and not an option.
Your athletes represent your program and why wouldn't you want them to look professional and uniform when they walk in & around the competition.
I love the rule and hope that everyone respects it.

Can I just say that I love you! You've pretty much just said everything I was thinking and you put so eloquently. Many of the responses from others are giving me the "you can't tell me what to do" vibe however maybe if someone from your program told you want to do to begin with the USASF wouldn't have to start a new policy. At the end of the day is putting on a T-shirt to cover your mid-drift really that inconvenient and that big of a deal? At competition this past weekend I witnessed a program who put this into full action and it was great! The combination of T-shirt (which was sponsored by the gym for free), no Uggs, no jeans, only your cheer sneakers, and warm-up pants or uniform skirts that are buttoned gave the entire program a more professional look. Whether this is a rule that can be enforced remains to be seen however this should be about accountability. I for one see nothing wrong with attempting to create and uphold an image that everyone can be proud of.