Coaches Closet Blog

As a cheer coach, you are part of a larger community-the spirit industry. Thousands of event producers, cheer vendors, organizations, gyms, and teams comprise the spirit industry. The longer you coach, the more you need to know. Why join professional organizations?

• Membership in professional organizations gives the individual cheer coach an immediate network of other spirit professionals.
• Belonging to a professional organization puts you in contact with others who share your passion, your joys, and your frustrations.
• Attendance at conferences gives coaches the opportunity to learn from others who are leaders in the spirit industry.
• Continuing education should be a major concern for cheer coaches. Professional organizations often provide opportunities for continuing education and professional development.
• Membership often provides newsletters that keep members updated on the spirit industry.
• Future employers appreciate prospective employees' interest in staying updated on current issues and developments in the spirit industry.
• Professional organizations may offer additional insurance coverage.
• Becoming involved as a committee member or board member helps develop leadership skills that will be valuable as you grow in the industry.
• An element of coaching involves educating parents and cheerleaders. Active membership in a professional organization gives you the tools to provide your parents and cheerleaders with the latest news, tools of the trade, and safety information.

Look for local and state professional organizations but keep in mind that not every state has a cheer coaches' organization. States with cheer coaches' groups often offer yearly conferences and quarterly workshops. Research regional and national organizations. These will have large memberships and may offer more opportunities for workshops and networking.

Join a professional organization for cheer coaches-you'll be glad you did!

 

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Congratulations to the recipients of the 2008 Spirit Industry Awards!

It's the Academy Awards of the Spirit Industry! From "Best Spirit Apparel Catalog/Brochure Design" to "Best New Product or Service," from "Best Lighting, Sound and Set Design" to "Best Philanthropic Initiative" and many more, peers are recognizing peers for raising the standards of excellence, professionalism and innovation in all areas of the Spirit Industry.  The 2008 Spirit Industry Awards were presented at an exciting gala at the InterContiental Hotel in Chicago, IL  on Tuesday, October 7, 2008. 

 2008 Competition and Camp Company Awards Recipients

Best Printed Promotional Piece
To recognize innovative and creative print design with emphasis on graphic appeal, ease of use, flow of information, comprehensive content and clarity.
UPA--Americup 08 Event Program

Best Use of Lighting, Sound and Set Design
To recognize exceptional event staging and presentation for a competitive cheer/dance event.
The Coastal Corporation--Battle at the Capitol Nationals

Best Website
To recognize innovative and creative web design with emphasis on graphic appeal, ease of navigation, clarity and comprehensive content.
JAMfest--jamfest.com

Best New Product or Service
To recognize innovation and creativity in a new product or service that has changed or enhanced the industry or represents a fresh approach to an old idea.
Spirit Cheer--Crazy Leg Stilt Walkers

Best Ad
To recognize innovative and creative print ad design with emphasis on graphic appeal and clarity of message.
COA Cheer and Dance--Monopoly Gameboard Ad

Best TV Show
To recognize innovative and creative televised cheer or dance competition with emphasis on content, graphic appeal, entertainment value and overall production quality.
USASF - Cheerleading Worlds

Leadership Award
To recognize an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service and leadership to the SITA organization.
Margie Willis

2008 Affiliate Company Awards Recipients

Best Spirit Industry Periodical Issue
To recognize comprehensive, balanced, and creative coverage of the spirit industry with sound journalistic principles and emphasis on both editorial excellence and visual appeal.
Inside Cheerleading --July/August 2008 Issue

Best Spirit Apparel Catalogue/Brochure Design
To recognize innovative and creative print design of a uniform/apparel catalogue/brochure with emphasis on graphic appeal, ease of use, and visual creativity.
Spirit Innovations

Best Website
To recognize innovative and creative web design with emphasis on graphic appeal, ease of navigation, clarity and comprehensive content.
Nfinity Shoes--nfinityshoes.com

Best New Product
To recognize innovation and creativity in a new product that has changed or enhanced the industry or represents a fresh approach to an old idea.
Core Athletics--Back Hand Spring Machine

Best New Service
To recognize innovation and creativity in a new service that has changed or enhanced the industry or represents a fresh approach to an old idea.
Nfinity--Nfinity Nation

Best Ad
To recognize innovative and creative print ad design with emphasis on graphic appeal and clarity of message.
Pyra-"Stunt Doubles"

Leadership Award
To recognize an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service and leadership to the SITA organization.
Debbie Bracewell

2008 Merit Award Recipients

Best State Association
To recognize outstanding accomplishments, significant growth, philanthropic programs, scholarship support, professional outreach, and/or creative contributions to the spirit industry by a state coaches association.
Golden State Spirit Association

Best Coaches Conference
To recognize excellence in teaching, diversity and quality of course offerings, adjunct certifications, strength of presenters, social offerings, scope of exhibitors, and opportunity for professional growth at a coaches' conference.
National Coaches Conference--CheerCon 25th Anniversary

Best Philanthropic Initiative
To recognize exceptional community and/or global outreach by a company who services the spirit industry for the purpose of improving quality of life and/or addressing specific human need.
COA Cheer and Dance--CHEERforLIFE/DANCEforLIFE Ronald McDonald House

Best Competition Event Venue
To recognize an event venue that provides clients one of the most comprehensive and flexible competition event facilities, and it also recognizes the enthusiasm and dedication of the venue staff who provide customer service of the highest standard.
Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center (Florida)

Spirit Industry Collaboration Award
To recognize excellence, innovation, creativity and/or accomplishment by a group of two or more spirit industry companies that worked jointly on a common goal or project.
The Australian Project--Nfinity Shoes, Core Athletics, AdPro, Pom Express, Rockwood Jewelry, Power Pows
AND
The JAM Rewards
JAMfest, COA, America's Best, GSSA, Great Lakes, Coastal Corporation, Spirit Innovations, Power Consulting, Spirit Ready Sportswear, Aloha Spirit

 

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In the last month, two football players in New Jersey have died as a result of their participation in football. One died after a tackling incident; the other died from a previously unknown heart condition. As we work through a new cheer season, let's look at two health and safety issues that have taken the forefront in the news--heat and heart.

Heat issues can be minor like heat cramps or life-threatening as heat stroke. Coaches should know the signs and symptoms of heat-related issues and how to treat them. Humidity, direct exposure to the sun and temperature can all contribute to heat-related illnesses. The combination of these factors make up the heat index you hear weathermen talk about. Proper hydration and reducing sun exposure can help reduce susceptibility to heat-related issues. "There's no excuse for any number of heat stroke deaths, since they are all preventable with the proper precautions," said Mueller, the author of the Annual Survey of Football Injuries, a long-running compilation of statistics that tracks major injuries and deaths in 1.8 million football players on middle school, high school, college, sandlot (organized, non-school affiliated) and professional teams (see report at http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/uonc-urh073008.php).

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in athletes was the subject of the June 27, 2008, U. S. News & World Report article by Steven Reinberg. SCA is the leading cause of death in young athletes, but the worst news is that only one in 10 student-athletes who suffer SCA survives. The article goes on to say that "approximately one case of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) occurs every three days in organized youth sports"

• Access to external automatic defibrillators (AEDs) can change these statistics. Access to AEDs within three to five minutes can mean the difference between life and death.
• Schools, practice areas, gyms-all need to have access to an AED, a person(s) trained to use the AED, and an emergency plan in place for using the AED.
• Screening exams for heart problems along with a physical before sports participation are recommended. A study in Italy where a screening EKG was mandated for student-athletes resulted in a 90% decrease in SCD.

An amazing group of people have formed Parent Heart Watch (http://www.parentheartwatch.org/).  Their mission is to promote awareness of SCD, establish credible research initiatives for SCD, and affect public policy change to encourage community action. They assist in getting AEDs placed in public locations and devising a plan for training and maintaining. One of their goals is to provide the resources and training so communities and parents can host group screening events with trained professionals. The Parent Heart Watch is a non-profit, state-by-state network of parents. Check out their website to see if your state has a Parent Heart Watch group and contact them to see if they can assist your team or gym with EKG screenings or procuring an AED.

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