All-Star Dangers Of Cheerlebrity

[CharlotteASMom]

CharlotteASMom: Which is what we are debating. Our current CPs' issue, whose biggest example of success vs failure comes from the adult athletes' arena; possible solutions and thoughts.

I'd like to compare apples to apples. Are other youth sports having this same issue and if not why? How are they handling it? I don't feel the professional sports should determine how me move forward. Or at least I hope not becasue that's a scary propositon.

 

[CoachTamara]

I'll be the bad guy that says it-it's not changing as long as people are making money off these kids. If I run a magazine that is going to sell 1,000 issues if I put a cool shot of a pyramid on the cover, or I'm going to sell 10,000 because I put the latest "it girl" (or boy) on the cover that everyone wants to read about, which will I choose? Not a hard decision. There is an entire competition dedicated to having these kids there. Someone (usually a grown adult) is making money and until that stops, the whole thing will continue on. If it's not your kid or your gym, it's someone else's.

 

[StarshipTrooper]

I do think that some simple measures by the event producers can go a long way. We were a little overwhelmed by the craziness on day 1 of ACA, but the problem was practically non-existent on day 2. It seems like that fact keeps getting overlooked. Multiple things changed from D1 to D2, so it is difficult to pin down what changed the environment, but no extraordinary measures had to be taken.

Is there some overreacting going on? Absolutely. It is something that is potentially a safety hazard (or general sportsmanship issue) that deserves some discussion/thought? Yes.

I think you are right. It should not be an issue if athletes are going to their gym's room, the bathroom (yep, follow you right into the stall), warmup and the competition to be free from being approached and the EP should and can help with that as you have noted. Now if the athlete chooses (many will) to walk around to interact than deal with the consequences. The staffs can nip that in the bud by putting them in the back left or whatever. On the IC and magaizine front, how in the world does anyone expect these publications to NOT use the athletes, coaches and owners in their stories? I really do think that is out of bounds for a gym to limit that outlet. Now telling them not to sign autographs for subscriptions with their uniform on, absolutely. Telling them no story or article in a magazine. Nope. But you can if you want, I think it is no help and hurts the media.

 

[callmecoach]

Why would the industry benefit more from the popularity of an individual as opposed to the popularity of the team? You mentioned Shawn Johnson as an example however I'd also say the Fab 5 did a pretty good job with promotion as a group.

I agree that they did a pretty good job. All-star cheerleading benefits from team popularity too, but it's our natural inclination, especially when we are kids or teenagers, to have a favorite. That's why nearly all cheerlebrities are from teams that are also well-known. It's not that people don't also admire the team, but rather than once they do, they get to know the members of that team and more closely follow their favorite athletes. I don't think it's bad to allow this individual recognition to take place and cultivate it to also benefit the sport alongside the team recognition that already exists.

 

[Ashley]

I think you are right. It should not be an issue if athletes are going to their gym's room, the bathroom (yep, follow you right into the stall), warmup and the competition to be free from being approached and the EP should and can help with that as you have noted. Now if the athlete chooses (many will) to walk around to interact than deal with the consequences. The staffs can nip that in the bud by putting them in the back left or whatever. On the IC and magaizine front, how in the world does anyone expect these publications to NOT use the athletes, coaches and owners in their stories? I really do think that is out of bounds for a gym to limit that outlet. Now telling them not to sign autographs for subscriptions with their uniform on, absolutely. Telling them no story or article in a magazine. Nope. But you can if you want, I think it is no help and hurts the media.

I don't think that's out of line at all. An NFL player can't do an article or a photoshoot in his uniform without getting approval from someone who works for the team. I certainly don't expect that IC or AC can or should stop using the athletes, but it's certainly not out of line for his or her gym to say that they don't want that athlete doing a cover shoot in uniform. If you're going to do an interview about you and your team, it's not unreasonable for the gym to want approval of that. If a tumbler wants to answer some questions about tumbling, then that's her prerogative, but as soon as she does a story or article about her team and gym, I would expect that she would have her gym's approval to do so.

 

[just_kay_today]

I'd like to compare apples to apples. Are other youth sports having this same issue and if not why? How are they handling it? I don't feel the professional sports should determine how me move forward. Or at least I hope not becasue that's a scary propositon.

I'm hard pressed to think of another youth sport that is having this level of fanaticism. I don't think it's an issue of using the professional sports analogy to determine how to move on, as it is to say that sports do/can benefit from the existence of these athletes; and somehow manage to thrive even. Besides, in my experience, it's never a good idea to reinvent the wheel, when faced with an obstacle, if viable solutions already exists. - regardless of from whence the inspiration for the solutions come.

 

[yojaehs]

I'd like to compare apples to apples. Are other youth sports having this same issue and if not why? How are they handling it? I don't feel the professional sports should determine how me move forward. Or at least I hope not becasue that's a scary propositon.

In comparing the handling of fans, comparing cheer to Justin Beiber concert or NFL players is 100% apples to apples. To say that other sports don't have our issue is comparing apples to oranges. No other sport has 2:30 to perform and then tons of down time to roam around. Baseball, soccer etc. games are an hour or so long and often times teams are not spending hours of free time roaming around a conv center. Same goes for gymnastics etc. Cheer is a unique sport, idk how many times that has to be said, but I'll :deadhorse: and say it again. Cheer is unique, crazed fan is not. How does anyone on any level handle the crazed fan? That is what needs to be looked at.

 

[StarshipTrooper]

I don't think that's out of line at all. An NFL player can't do an article or a photoshoot in his uniform without getting approval from someone who works for the team. I certainly don't expect that IC or AC can or should stop using the athletes, but it's certainly not out of line for his or her gym to say that they don't want that athlete doing a cover shoot in uniform. If you're going to do an interview about you and your team, it's not unreasonable for the gym to want approval of that. If a tumbler wants to answer some questions about tumbling, then that's her prerogative, but as soon as she does a story or article about her team and gym, I would expect that she would have her gym's approval to do so.

As a gym owner I would not limit access to magazines, especially if I got to proofread, and we always were given that ability by IC (who are very good people by the way, in the constellation of personalities in the cheer world, stellar) and others. BUT if you choose to do so as a gym your business. I think it has no effect on the perceived problem and hurts the industry as a whole. But as always, just my opinion and your's is just as valid.

 

[Ashley]

As a gym owner I would not limit access to magazines, especially if I got to proofread, and we always were given that ability by IC (who are very good people by the way, in the constellation of personalities in the cheer world, stellar) and others. BUT if you choose to do so as a gym your business. I think it has no effect on the perceived problem and hurts the industry as a whole. But as always, just my opinion and your's is just as valid.

I mean, I probably wouldn't either, depending on the magazine, but if I were a gym owner with a lot of "cheerlebrities" I would want to have approval over the decision.

 

[catlady]

I think the idea of the pledge is a great start, I'd like to see all gyms participate for the safety of the kids. However for those that feel this is too restrictive here's idea number 2....No autographs or pics taken at the cheer venue, period, those that don't abide will be escorted out (that's for you yojaehs). For those gyms/individuals that enjoy the meet and greets, rent a large banquet hall at a nearby hotel and sell tickets via your own website to provide coverage for the banquet hall and security (preventing the increase of event and competition fees). This could be done as a joint Cheerlebrity venue for those that want to participate. This would provide a safe atmosphere at a crowded cheer venue AND provide an opportunity for those that enjoy the spotlight. I think it has potential....don't hurt the catlady.

 

[CharlotteASMom]

In comparing the handling of fans, comparing cheer to Justin Beiber concert or NFL players is 100% apples to apples.

I think you are right on about the "fandom" part! No other youth sport has the "glitz and glamour" that cheer does. There are two components to this though. How the fans react and how the individual/gym begin and handle it. I'm not sure I want cheer kids acting like Kobe Bryant or Kevin Garnett out there.

 

[flcheermom]

To compare other sports also they usually only play one team at a time, in a small setting - most of the time. They do have soccer, baseball tournaments, etc. where large numbers of teams may gather in their sports but that is occasionally - most of the times games consist of one team against one team. Cheer is such a different culture in where you have masses of people all day at a competition and teams compete against either no one or 5+ teams. All different age groups -a big population of young girls -cheer definately cannot really be compared to other youth sports. My son plays competitive soccer at a high level- there really is no comparision.

 

[CharlotteASMom]

My son plays competitive soccer at a high level- there really is no comparision.

Funny I was going to say the same thing about soccer!

 

[Cheerforme]

In comparing the handling of fans, comparing cheer to Justin Beiber concert or NFL players is 100% apples to apples. To say that other sports don't have our issue is comparing apples to oranges. No other sport has 2:30 to perform and then tons of down time to roam around. Baseball, soccer etc. games are an hour or so long and often times teams are not spending hours of free time roaming around a conv center. Same goes for gymnastics etc. Cheer is a unique sport, idk how many times that has to be said, but I'll :deadhorse: and say it again. Cheer is unique, crazed fan is not. How does anyone on any level handle the crazed fan? That is what needs to be looked at.

They hire security, they rope them off, Beiber doesnt roam around, he runs to hide in his bus or dressing room. The crazed fan is the "bread and butter" of the professional athlete and the rockstar...so they PAY to protect themselves and arrange for meet and greets to be able to "stay in touch" with the fans. IS THIS what you want for all star cheerleading? These professional organizations dont lecture parents to get control of their child...they make it impossible for the crazed fan to get to their client

 

[Bystander]

I'd like to compare apples to apples. Are other youth sports having this same issue and if not why? How are they handling it? I don't feel the professional sports should determine how me move forward. Or at least I hope not becasue that's a scary propositon.

Two real easy ones! Mcdonalds HS all american games! WAY crazy! and any of the little league world series games. Both are very comparable to a BIG national cheer event. And yes in both of these events there are players who are more sought after than the team is.

Really it just seems that we are chasing a butterfly with a sledgehammer here. A small adjustment in the attitude of those chasing the popular athletes would make a huge difference. Blue Cat has stated what a difference the EP made in ONE day!