All-Star Should Usasf Limit Bids/people?

[newcheerdad]

RE: Venue Change

First off, anyone who thinks that you're getting weekend dates at an arena that houses an NHL or NBA team is kidding themselves. So that throws out Amway Center in Orlando, Honda Center in Anaheim, or any number of arenas throughout the country.

So I think you're looking at cities with either a large convention center (Atlanta), a city that has a major arena but no NHL/NBA team (Baltimore, Kansas City), or Vegas. All of them have distinct plusses and minuses.

But I agree with the general premise that from all accounts, the event has outgrown the facilities at Disney and would grow exponentially in another city with an arena big enough to handle the crowds.

 

[ASCheerMan]

Although there was some consideration for the issues from 2011, it seems that the USASF has again unilaterally made a decision that significantly impacts the sport without the input from those involved. I am a relatively new cheermom and I think I could have told you that the planned solution would be ineffective. Did they seek any input from gyms or athletes or parent organizations? A quick online survey could have provided valuable information that might have provided some insight to prevent this.

While I agree that the USASF fell short in being prepared for the capacity issues, I wouldn't categorize this as a utilateral decision that should have been developed and created with the input gym owners and parent organizations.Not to say that the individuals posting here don't have great ideas. Seeking opinions and information from those groups is crucial at certain times. But the USASF's most logical resource at their disposal is the many USASF Member Event Producers that do this very job for a living, and at some point, have dealt with identical overcrowding challenges.

I'm a bit concerned that, from now on, EVERY unpopular decision, or poor choice, or confusing step taken by the USASF will forever be attributed to or correlated with the 2012 Rules Announcement. This situation is very independent of the Rules incident.

 

[L5cheermom]

I'm a bit concerned that, from now on, EVERY unpopular decision, or poor choice, or confusing step taken by the USASF will forever be attributed to or correlated with the 2012 Rules Announcement. This situation is very independent of the Rules incident.

Respectfully, although I appreciate that the issues associated with this incident are very different, it is apparent that the culture at USASF to ignore the input from gym owners, athletes and fans and rely solely on the input from the EPs is responsible for this debacle. A very simple online survey "If planning to attend the 2012 cheerleading worlds would the schedule or location of the "fill in the division" competition or awards influence your decision to attend?" I suspect few die hard fans would have responded "Yes".

 

[SparkleSpankies]

TBH, the one thing I don't have an issue with is moving awards. A lot of competitions have to do it for logistics and seriously, it's not that big of a deal. I think just doing it w/o "scheduling" the awards movement is the issue.

As for the rest, I wasn't there but there needs to be a more logical way if they are not changing venue and I am sure there will be. For NHSCC and All-Star they had an additional tent. It worked well. Also, TBH who cares where you are? OK, yes everyone wants to be in the "milkhouse/HP" whatever you want to call it, but since worlds is open to more teams, you need to be thankful for where you perform and that you are there got a bid and were able to get yourself there.

Lastly, if I went as a spectator, I would obviously want to see some teams, hwoever, if the person who goes as a spectator only has issues w/ venue b/c they want to see team A and team B is in this venue and team C is in that one... Oh Well! Sorry can't win them all, can't see everyone, as long as coaches can see their teams and be there to warm them up and the parents (since there are no crossovers) that is all that should matter.

I do agree there needs to be a better system. It could be a larger or different venue or new location, it could be a more spread out schedule, maybe it's a combo of less bids, less tickets sold, whatever, I do not disagree at all by reading this things need a change. Some people here have had great points. And my thoughts are if it is still at Disney, they need to spread out divisions, build the additional facility (tent), move awards to a different location and put in the schedule when that is announced to another location to keep people moving, etc. There are always going to be the spectators and the premier teams people want to see, I don't think that will ever change.

Sorry some of you had a bad experience.

 

[SheCheers]

ASCheerMan Do you know how long until the contract with Disney expires? And what is the likelihood of Worlds changing venues?

 

[yojaehs]

ASCheerMan Do you know how long until the contract with Disney expires? And what is the likelihood of Worlds changing venues?

The Million Dollar question...

 

[Ashley]

ASCheerMan Do you know how long until the contract with Disney expires? And what is the likelihood of Worlds changing venues?

Even if he did know, I'm sure he won't answer.

 

[SheCheers]

Even if he did know, I'm sure he won't answer.

i don't really EXPECT an answer, but it had to be asked

 

[Level5Mom]

I was the crazy parent who got up at the crack of dawn and secured myself a seat knowing that once large senior was over I would never find one for small senior to watch my daughter. My husband and son, unfortunately, did not come early with me and were stuck in the crowd outside. I actually did warn him the night before that the HP could go on lock-down and he may not get in. I told him that he may get stuck at the ball field watching our daughter on the screen. I recommended he arrive at 10am so he could enter as large senior was exiting. Obviously that did not work!

The texts I was getting from him were heartbreaking though. "there is no way I'll get in to see her", "this place is about to riot", "lines are soooo loooooong". I felt so bad for him. I told him to come around the side doors and I'd let them in, but he said he was so close to the front of the line that he didn't want to give up his spot. He ended up coming in with the escorted parents and got to see her and was escorted back out. I was thankful that he was able to see her!

We discussed it in length on the way home, and we both agreed that ONCE USASF came up with a plan, they executed the plan well. It was the lack of plan that caused the stress to rise outside. He said the communication barrier was the hardest thing to deal with out there.....first people were trying to yell instructions to the crowd, but no one could hear. Once they figured out to get a mic out there people were ready to be orderly. They were ready to follow instructions, but no one could tell them what those instructions were for so long that the stress kept rising. It just took a very long time to come up with a solution, and an unorganized mob of passionate people is a very bad thing in the heat. Moving the awards was a reasonable solution in the midst of the panic, while my cp was one who had to receive her Worlds medal on the dirt, I can assure you she is not complaining!

What worries me is that next year, because of this year, EVERYONE will be there at 7am in line. That could get really really ugly.

In a nutshell, I think USASF did take steps to try and make the overcrowding less of a problem. But as ASCheerMan mentioned, it was an underestimation. I think having so many team eliminated by Sunday, large in the morning, and adding a 3rd day to the event were all noble ideas that did not work. I am confident that they will have a BETTER plan in place for next year. The only thing I keep thinking about is what I would have done in that riot/mob situation if I were the USASF. I think they responded well and did a good job handling the issue in a panic. One last comment: I felt so bad for the announcer who was doing his best to keep the inside crowd under control. I think he did a GREAT job, even though I was extremely annoyed because I wanted the competition to get going. Whoever had the idea to escort the parents in to watch in priority, bless you.

 

[ASCheerMan]

I haven't been in any of the discussions re: the Disney relationship, so I don't know about the contract. My personal opinion is that I don't foresee it leaving Disney property. I don't think they've exhausted their options to manage the growth (additional tents, venues for Awards only, etc) so I'd imagine they'll go further down that road before picking up and leaving. (This is all speculation on my part, as my role with the USASF never puts me on the forefront of these types of discussions).

And Ashley, your post inferred that you knew me well enough to assume what my response would be. I've been pretty good about responding on this site, considering I have a full-time job and several customers who reach out to me directly via email and phone that take top priority. I would urge anyone that officially needs information or an answer to a question to reach out to the USASF office directly. A non-response on this site doesn't necesarily mean that someone isn't performing their job duties or that they are withholding information, it may just mean that they don't have the time in their work day to hang out on the Fierceboards.

 

[flcheermom]

I was the crazy parent who got up at the crack of dawn and secured myself a seat knowing that once large senior was over I would never find one for small senior to watch my daughter. My husband and son, unfortunately, did not come early with me and were stuck in the crowd outside. I actually did warn him the night before that the HP could go on lock-down and he may not get in. I told him that he may get stuck at the ball field watching our daughter on the screen. I recommended he arrive at 10am so he could enter as large senior was exiting. Obviously that did not work!

The texts I was getting from him were heartbreaking though. "there is no way I'll get in to see her", "this place is about to riot", "lines are soooo loooooong". I felt so bad for him. I told him to come around the side doors and I'd let them in, but he said he was so close to the front of the line that he didn't want to give up his spot. He ended up coming in with the escorted parents and got to see her and was escorted back out. I was thankful that he was able to see her!

We discussed it in length on the way home, and we both agreed that ONCE USASF came up with a plan, they executed the plan well. It was the lack of plan that caused the stress to rise outside. He said the communication barrier was the hardest thing to deal with out there.....first people were trying to yell instructions to the crowd, but no one could hear. Once they figured out to get a mic out there people were ready to be orderly. They were ready to follow instructions, but no one could tell them what those instructions were for so long that the stress kept rising. It just took a very long time to come up with a solution, and an unorganized mob of passionate people is a very bad thing in the heat. Moving the awards was a reasonable solution in the midst of the panic, while my cp was one who had to receive her Worlds medal on the dirt, I can assure you she is not complaining!

What worries me is that next year, because of this year, EVERYONE will be there at 7am in line. That could get really really ugly.

In a nutshell, I think USASF did take steps to try and make the overcrowding less of a problem. But as ASCheerMan mentioned, it was an underestimation. I think having so many team eliminated by Sunday, large in the morning, and adding a 3rd day to the event were all noble ideas that did not work. I am confident that they will have a BETTER plan in place for next year. The only thing I keep thinking about is what I would have done in that riot/mob situation if I were the USASF. I think they responded well and did a good job handling the issue in a panic. One last comment: I felt so bad for the announcer who was doing his best to keep the inside crowd under control. I think he did a GREAT job, even though I was extremely annoyed because I wanted the competition to get going. Whoever had the idea to escort the parents in to watch in priority, bless you.

Congrats to your daughter's team - they looked great! Our girls always enjoy watching them and cheering for them
Since I live in town -I didnt rush - I honestly didn't expect it to be as bad as it was. I figured If I got there by 10 - which I did - I should be fine for the start of small senior - I got texts from other parents when I pulled into WWOS about the Milkhouse (I will always call it that lol - hey its even in our music!) and I kind of got a panicked feeling - since I still had to purchase my ticket - I made it to the part of the line our parents were in and it was crazy! No one knew what to expect or if we would get in to to see our team perform. Shortly after that we did hear they would let the parents/spectators in to see the teams performance so we were happy - but there was some confusion for awhile about where to go to get in - we could not hear anything and everytime someone would come out the doors they had no clue what was going on. We finally were told to go around the side.. and we had some stragglers with us lol... a few who didnt even speak english...we made it in and the atmosphere in the milkhouse was electrifying! I applaud the efforts of the USASF of doing the best they could in the situation they were in - making sure we were able to see our kids.

 

[Level5Mom]

Congrats to your daughter's team - they looked great! Our girls always enjoy watching them and cheering for them
Since I live in town -I didnt rush - I honestly didn't expect it to be as bad as it was. I figured If I got there by 10 - which I did - I should be fine for the start of small senior - I got texts from other parents when I pulled into WWOS about the Milkhouse (I will always call it that lol - hey its even in our music!) and I kind of got a panicked feeling - since I still had to purchase my ticket - I made it to the part of the line our parents were in and it was crazy! No one knew what to expect or if we would get in to to see our team perform. Shortly after that we did hear they would let the parents/spectators in to see the teams performance so we were happy - but there was some confusion for awhile about where to go to get in - we could not hear anything and everytime someone would come out the doors they had no clue what was going on. We finally were told to go around the side.. and we had some stragglers with us lol... a few who didnt even speak english...we made it in and the atmosphere in the milkhouse was electrifying! I applaud the efforts of the USASF of doing the best they could in the situation they were in - making sure we were able to see our kids.

Haha you mention the stragglers.....my husband informed me that he "adopted" two younger orange fans to come through as his children because they didn't want to miss their favorite team!!

Oh one last comment. My dh is a 23 year employee of WalMart Inc. He has years of experience in crowd control (think Black Friday). He suggested USASF work with crowd control specialists before next year who are experts in handling this sort of problem.

 

[Mom Jeans]

RE: Venue Change

First off, anyone who thinks that you're getting weekend dates at an arena that houses an NHL or NBA team is kidding themselves. So that throws out Amway Center in Orlando, Honda Center in Anaheim, or any number of arenas throughout the country.

So I think you're looking at cities with either a large convention center (Atlanta), a city that has a major arena but no NHL/NBA team (Baltimore, Kansas City), or Vegas. All of them have distinct plusses and minuses.

But I agree with the general premise that from all accounts, the event has outgrown the facilities at Disney and would grow exponentially in another city with an arena big enough to handle the crowds.

Sorry if I've missed it, but I dont think anyone one has mentioned the Honda Center for Anaheim the reference is to the arena attached to the Anaheim Convention Center, the arena alone holds 7500. Thats where all the Anaheim comps are held. Its across the street from Disneyland

 

[Just-a-Mom]

Sorry if I've missed it, but I dont think anyone one has mentioned the Honda Center for Anaheim the reference is to the arena attached to the Anaheim Convention Center, the arena alone holds 7500. Thats where all the Anaheim comps are held. Its across the street from Disneyland

Honda Center has been mentioned; not sure if it's this thread or the too small a venue thread.

 

[Ashley]

And Ashley, your post inferred that you knew me well enough to assume what my response would be. I've been pretty good about responding on this site, considering I have a full-time job and several customers who reach out to me directly via email and phone that take top priority. I would urge anyone that officially needs information or an answer to a question to reach out to the USASF office directly. A non-response on this site doesn't necesarily mean that someone isn't performing their job duties or that they are withholding information, it may just mean that they don't have the time in their work day to hang out on the Fierceboards.

I should have said can't, not won't. I didn't mean to imply that I know anything about you or that you aren't doing a great job of responding to questions and criticisms on the board (you are! Definitely way beyond what should be expected!). I certainly didn't mean to imply that responding here should take top priority (it shouldn't), I just meant that that information is probably not something USASF really feels like publicly broadcasting.