Cheerleading Governing Body Formed

USA Cheer will serve as the official governing body of cheerleading in the United States, and the officially recognized U.S. representative of the International Cheer Union (ICU), the acting worldwide organization overseeing the activity.

The new governing body will represent the U.S. in international cheer competitions, including the inaugural World Cup Championship that will be held in April 2009 at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. USA Cheer will assemble a 24-member national team of America's elite cheer talent that will compete against similar teams from over 50 countries. Competing countries will field co-ed and all girl teams, ages 14 and up.

In addition to representing the U.S. internationally, USA Cheer will focus efforts and resources on increasing participation in and support of cheer throughout the country. The organization has stated that two of their primary goals is to USA Cheer brings together the entire cheerleading community, both at the school level, as well as clubs, known as all-star programs, to promote the many positive experiences cheerleading provides millions of young people across the country, as well as promoting cheer safety education nationwide.

Jeff Webb, the CEO and founder of Varsity Brands Inc, the world's largest cheerleading brand, has been selected President of USA Cheer. Other executives and board members include:

    — Jim Chadwick (VP) – President of U.S. All-Star Federation for Cheer and

       Dance and the International All-Star Federation

    — Dawn Calitri (VP) – President of the National Cheerleaders Association

       and the National Dance Association

    Representing the U.S. All-Star Federation (USAF)

    — Aaron Flaker – Founder and Co-Owner of the JAM Brands and a director

       for the USASF

    — Karen Halterman – Director for the USASF
    Representing the National Federation of State High School Associations

    — Rhonda Blanford Green – Assistant Commissioner of the Colorado High

       School Activities Association

Representing the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators are (AACCA):

    — Jim Lord – Executive Director of AACCA

    — T. Lynn Williamson – Senior Associate General Counsel for the

       University of Kentucky, and Spirit Advisor for University of Kentucky

       for the last 30 years.

    — Carolyn Shoemaker – President for the Florida Cheer Coaches

       Association, and a director for the AACCA

    Representing the National Alliance for School Cheerleading:

    — Mike Burgess – President of the United Spirit Association (USA)

    — Jim Thorp – Founder and President of Cheerleading Technique Camps and

       the American Championships
    Representing the Active Athletes:

    — Krisler Bailey – Executive Committee Representative for Active Athletes

       and former cheerleader for Hofstra University.

    — David McDowell – Former four-year cheerleader for the University of

       Kentucky and currently Head Coach for University of Alabama

       Cheerleaders.

    — Emily Burster – Former four year cheerleader for Drexel University

“Establishing USA Cheer and unifying this multi-talented leadership team is an historic, pivotal step toward continuing the steady domestic growth and international expansion of competitive cheer,” said Webb, who is widely credited with revolutionizing the sport. He added, “Cheerleading is a unique activity in that it functions at times as a sport during competitions, but it is also viewed as an important campus leadership activity at thousands of colleges and high schools in the US.”