Springfield Elite Cheer & Dance is dedicated to providing the best instruction and coaching possible. We work hard at developing the team concept, while helping our athletes grow as individuals.
Go to Jumpshots.net to order photos from all the competitions. Jumpshots.net is a way for Springfield Elite parents to order pictures and unique gifts from competitions at a reasonable price. Photos are taken by Paul Blackwell (dad of Brianna and Ashley on junior and senior squads) and Mike Green (dad of Rebekah Green on the mini squad).
SCHOOL CHEER VS. SPRINGFIELD ELITE
Many of you have heard of the controversy that surrounds school squads and all-star squads. Hopefully I can help to put some of that controversy to rest. Please understand that Springfield Elite is one of the largest supporters of school athletics. The owners and coaches of Springfield Elite have helped to establish the nature of school cheerleading in the state of Missouri for the past 20 years. They have coached many high school and junior high squads across the state. We understand the benefits of school cheerleading as all of us were also involved in this activity. Below will be the answers to a few questions you might have.
1. Can I cheer at school and at Springfield Elite?
We would love for you to cheer at both school and in the All-Star program. There are many things to factor in when asking this question. Springfield Elite is a very competitive program that has a goal of making the best cheerleaders in the nation. We would love to see our kids in every college program in the country. In order to do that, we must be successful. Success in all-star cheerleading requires full participation. School cheerleading for the most part does not. (ie. Cheering at basketball can be effective if a few people are absent.) Springfield Elite would love for the schools to view cheerleading as a legitimate activity and support their students that excel in this activity. Schools do not offer the training or attention that all-star programs do, so therefore, they must support those programs that help their kids to stand out nationally. If your school understands the responsibility of all-star cheerleading and is willing to support you by working with Springfield Elite, you can easily do both.
2. Which is better School Cheerleading or All-Star squads?
This depends on what you want to get out of cheerleading. School cheerleading requires more time commitments than all-star. The time spent at school cheerleading is usually not focused on skills. Schools primary function is to support the athletic program. They are not focused on making you better individually at cheerleading, but their concern is weather or not you lead the crowd properly. While this is not the most popular idea for modern day cheerleaders, it is still a prevalent part of cheerleading. Without basic knowledge and understanding of crowd leading techniques, many major universities will look you over. Schools also do not employ trained cheerleading coaches that can teach you new skills and techniques. On the other hand, All-Star cheerleading is focused totally on skill building. Your skill level will increase as you go through the program. All-Star cheerleading is also focused on getting the squads and individuals exposure that is not offered in the school environment. All-Star coaches are highly trained and qualified to teach you every aspect of the sport. These programs offer very different sides of cheerleading. Both are important.
3. Do I have a better chance of making it in college with a school squad or in an all-star program?
This is the simplest of all of the questions. All-star cheerleaders have more skill training and more experience than any school program. In many cases you will be competing with other cheerleaders for college positions that have been in All-Star cheerleading since in kindergarten. Training time and trained coaches are elements that make you more successful. All-Star cheerleading is for the more serious cheerleaders. Those that wish to cheer in college, if they have to choose, should choose All-Stars.
4. Our school squad is made up totally of all-star cheerleaders. How can we function if events with the programs conflict?
All-Star cheerleading produces the best cheerleaders in the nation. Instead of saying that your school squad is made up of All-Star cheerleaders you could easily say that no other cheerleaders can make the program. If a participant that has trained on an All-Star program tries out for a school team against a non-All-Star participant, the All-star will most likely win. Therefore, no one can oust the All-Star participant. This poses a problem for All-Stars. As the local teams fill up with all-star participants, it is harder to work out schedules with school programs. This will require full understanding from your school administration.
5. How do we solve the problem of school vs. All-Star cheerleading?
It is very important for schools to understand All-Star cheerleading. If they understand the practice schedules and commitments early, it is easier for them to work out their schedules with Springfield Elite. It is also important for schools to realize that All-Star cheerleading is responsible for many college scholarships to great institutions. It would be against the primary function of any school to prohibit the ability for any student to receive such a prize. Please explain to the administration the conflict and allow them to advise you on the steps to take in order to work the scheduling out. Please also explain to the school administration that Springfield Elite is in support of their programs and will be willing to do what is best for each dual participant.
I hope this will help you to better understand the problems for All-Stars. We can not run a successful and respected program without full-participation, much like a basketball team would be hard pressed to practice or play while missing many members. All-Stars cannot have a full practice when one person is absent. If we allow everyone 4 absences that could make for 120 practice sessions that are incomplete. That would be every practice in a full season. Springfield Elite will continue to work our best to support the school squads and their programs, but we must also continue to prepare for the future of each of our students.
FOR ANY OTHER QUESTION OR COMMENTS PLEASE EMAIL:
Doug Lutz
417-887-9898
doug.lutz@springfieldelite.com
Open Gym on Sundays from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Cost is $5.00 for non-team members. Team members are free.
Parents!!!!! We are collecting empty printer cartridges as a fund raiser. If your home or office has any empty cartridges, please bring them in and give them to the office.
Click here for information regarding Cheersport competition in Kansas City on March 29th.
Practice Schedule for 2007-2008 season is listed under the Cheer Teams link above.
Senior Level 5 Extra Practices
2/16 Sat 8a-10a
2/17 Sun 2p-5p
2/18 Mon 5p-8:30p
2/19 Tues 5p-7p
2/20 Wed 5p-8:30p
Beef Jerky Fundraiser
Sell 20
Buy 20
Donate $20
All team members should participate if at all possible! Please pick up at the office. Thank you.
A Big Thanks to Cox Health Meyer Center for Supporting Springfield Elite Cheer & Dance!!!