- Jan 8, 2011
- 2,190
- 4,250
I've been reading through many threads lately that are talking of "home grown" athletes and others that aren't. I'm curious as to opinions on this.
Here is mine from a medium sized gym with a large reputation that I've been with from 90 kids to close to 300.
Years ago I was so into "Look at that girl doing xyz, she's mine, I taught her, that's what I did." I admit it, I was in it for the ego. I was in my younger 20's and wanted to show how cool I was. I have since stepped back and looked at the larger group of athletes that my gym has now. I see many that were former gymnasts, other cheer gyms, soccer players, dancers, football players etc. etc. I find it fun as a coach to have worked with some kids for 8 straight years and I taught them their forward roll up to fulls etc. But I take the same pleasure in a new kid that spent 2 years working on her bhs and help her reach her goal. But I am also not naive enough to think that others haven't had part in that athlete taking shape. Other coaches in the gym, high school coaches, parents, or other team coaches (softball, soccer, etc.) Now, a step further. I take pride in seeing my former athletes or fellow coaches teach kids and help them grow (I have several former athletes that are now coaching at what could be considered "rival" gyms). Do I want to beat them? Yes. Am I proud to see them have success? Yes.
Kids change all the time. Some did piano for 7 years and then decided to play the guitar. Some did dance and then chose cheer, then switched back to dance to go onto SYTYCD and now dance for Taylor Swift. Did I have anything to do with that, I like to internally think so but in reality no or very minor.
This is my take on it as someone who has been in cheer for a very long time. Often times I see kids travel and think to myself "wow that's nuts" but when I had a dancer tell me he was going back to dance I thought to myself "wow that's nuts". Now he is doing amazing things that are good for him that I had no part in. He did take the time while on tour to stop by the gym and say hi and say how much he enjoyed his time at the gym. Isn't that what this whole crazy cheer thing should be about? Teaching, molding, enjoying our time with athletes. Some stay, some move on but the ones that come back or are seen years later that say "My time with you I'll never forget".
As a coach I look to gain knowledge from coaches from Rays, Cali, Twisters, WC, TG the list is long. If I was a kid and could do the same, I can't say that I would hold that against them.
Here is mine from a medium sized gym with a large reputation that I've been with from 90 kids to close to 300.
Years ago I was so into "Look at that girl doing xyz, she's mine, I taught her, that's what I did." I admit it, I was in it for the ego. I was in my younger 20's and wanted to show how cool I was. I have since stepped back and looked at the larger group of athletes that my gym has now. I see many that were former gymnasts, other cheer gyms, soccer players, dancers, football players etc. etc. I find it fun as a coach to have worked with some kids for 8 straight years and I taught them their forward roll up to fulls etc. But I take the same pleasure in a new kid that spent 2 years working on her bhs and help her reach her goal. But I am also not naive enough to think that others haven't had part in that athlete taking shape. Other coaches in the gym, high school coaches, parents, or other team coaches (softball, soccer, etc.) Now, a step further. I take pride in seeing my former athletes or fellow coaches teach kids and help them grow (I have several former athletes that are now coaching at what could be considered "rival" gyms). Do I want to beat them? Yes. Am I proud to see them have success? Yes.
Kids change all the time. Some did piano for 7 years and then decided to play the guitar. Some did dance and then chose cheer, then switched back to dance to go onto SYTYCD and now dance for Taylor Swift. Did I have anything to do with that, I like to internally think so but in reality no or very minor.
This is my take on it as someone who has been in cheer for a very long time. Often times I see kids travel and think to myself "wow that's nuts" but when I had a dancer tell me he was going back to dance I thought to myself "wow that's nuts". Now he is doing amazing things that are good for him that I had no part in. He did take the time while on tour to stop by the gym and say hi and say how much he enjoyed his time at the gym. Isn't that what this whole crazy cheer thing should be about? Teaching, molding, enjoying our time with athletes. Some stay, some move on but the ones that come back or are seen years later that say "My time with you I'll never forget".
As a coach I look to gain knowledge from coaches from Rays, Cali, Twisters, WC, TG the list is long. If I was a kid and could do the same, I can't say that I would hold that against them.
I'm also pretty sure she had nothing to do with cp's conception 
