- Dec 15, 2009
- 146
- 63
I was a recreation, all star, middle school and high school cheerleader from 1993-2002, then spent several years coaching in later high school and college. Now I am "retired" from cheerleading and spend my days working a regular job and being a wife and mother (to a child who is too young for cheer right now.) However, I am still an avid fan of all types of cheerleading.
Something I have noticed over the past decade that really saddens me is the decline in excitement during awards sessions. I grew up in the Memphis area so obviously I competed at UCA's high school and all star national competitions. I vividly remember how excited we would be just to make it to finals. Coming in the top 10 was an amazing feat and would have as jumping and down and screaming in delight! It was the same way when I was coaching all star teams. I just don't feel like this happens anymore.
Now obviously, divisions are not nearly as large as they used to be, so I am sure that is part of the reason. The splitting of divisions has contributed significantly to that. But I will see teams come in the top five of very stacked divisions, competing against top-level teams, at very competitive nationals (NCA, UCA, Cheersport, etc.) and they just seem extremely disappointed. Oftentimes they don't even stand up and clap. The cheerleaders all sit on the ground and one representative runs up to get the trophy in a very lackluster manner. The parents/fans don't seem excited for them either. The worst is when nobody even gets up to get the trophy/medals, and a staff member has to run them over. It's like teams have become embarrassed to get anything less than first place.
Why? Coaches, do you encourage your teams to get excited for doing well and placing high even when it's not first? Or is the trend now that everyone feels like they were robbed or should have done better, and that any place other than first isn't worth anything?
Something I have noticed over the past decade that really saddens me is the decline in excitement during awards sessions. I grew up in the Memphis area so obviously I competed at UCA's high school and all star national competitions. I vividly remember how excited we would be just to make it to finals. Coming in the top 10 was an amazing feat and would have as jumping and down and screaming in delight! It was the same way when I was coaching all star teams. I just don't feel like this happens anymore.
Now obviously, divisions are not nearly as large as they used to be, so I am sure that is part of the reason. The splitting of divisions has contributed significantly to that. But I will see teams come in the top five of very stacked divisions, competing against top-level teams, at very competitive nationals (NCA, UCA, Cheersport, etc.) and they just seem extremely disappointed. Oftentimes they don't even stand up and clap. The cheerleaders all sit on the ground and one representative runs up to get the trophy in a very lackluster manner. The parents/fans don't seem excited for them either. The worst is when nobody even gets up to get the trophy/medals, and a staff member has to run them over. It's like teams have become embarrassed to get anything less than first place.
Why? Coaches, do you encourage your teams to get excited for doing well and placing high even when it's not first? Or is the trend now that everyone feels like they were robbed or should have done better, and that any place other than first isn't worth anything?