I thought I'd start a new topic about this because I've been thinking alot about it lately... Hear me out...
Right now all star college co-ed and all girl divisions only compete within the level 6 division rules. Within all star 18 years and younger divisions we have level 1 (beginner), level 2 (novice), level 3 (intermediate), level 4 (excel), and level 5 (advanced).
From watching the last three years of college open all star teams, I feel like the teams competing in this division aren't at the level that they are supposed to be at. And really that's not their fault. I feel like USASF should allow college all stars teams to choose between levels 4,5, and 6 to compete within. So then when you're choreographing a routine you can choreograph based upon their skill level like you do for any other 18 years or younger all star division. I don't think it's fair or smart to put girls/guys into a level 6 division when they are obviously at a level 4 skill level.
The con to doing this is that, this division is not a huge division in California anyway... So why worry about it? It would then make the few teams that we do have in these divisions split amoungst three different skill levels. If you can figure out what I'm talking about, then that means that you might be competing against no one.
But I also feel like if you do give college teams a choice to compete in level 4, 5 or 6 then you might allow opportunity for more all stars gyms to start college teams. Many all star gyms have girls that graduate that want to cheer again but have no where to go unless they want to drive for hours. All star gyms don't want to start college teams for fear that they will suck because they are atomatically forced into level 6 stunting. When you have a college team, you want them to be good and I don't think that giving them no option of what level to compete at is the right thing to do.
I think a lot of doors would open if you gave it enough time. Five years from now, maybe then a handful of gyms would open up college teams.
I hope this all made sense... I would love to hear from staff, owners, parents, kids... what you think about this topic? I don't know all the background work behind this subject matter, like I said I was just thinking about it, and that's it. Please feel free, to add your imput...
Megan Fierce All Stars Webmaster & Team Coach.
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"Come on a flip your mind, to the west's BEST, built by design!!!!" PACIFIC COAST MAGIC ALL STAR CHEERLEADING
Most of us have been through it. We're sitting at a competition allllll day. We're tired, ready to go, awards are soon, but thank goodness the open division is next and finally we will be entertained with the stuff that makes the grandparents and aunts gasp that people can actually do that stuff!!!
Or so we thought....
Team A comes out and our level 3 team would have killed them. But you feel sorry for them cause you KNOW they love cheer and just want to cheer more before college is over. So you clap and pray no one gets killed.
Team B comes out and WHAM! They are A M A Z I N GGGGGGGGG. Poor Team A. Your heart breaks for them even more....
Fierce Coach makes a WONDERFUL argument here and I'm not sure I can find a single argument against it. It just makes sense.
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OC Mom, Mom of 5 great kids! A cheerleader/softball player, a RETIRED cheerleader, a football/baseball player, 1 Airman and future Police Officer and one college student!
I'm glad someone else feels like I do when I watch that division. Like someone held guns to their heads telling them they must cheer in the level 6 division or else... LOL. Something needs to be done about this...
I still would like to hear what other people have to say.
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"Come on a flip your mind, to the west's BEST, built by design!!!!" PACIFIC COAST MAGIC ALL STAR CHEERLEADING
This definitely makes sense. Putting all college all-star teams in the same level would be the same as putting all senior teams in level 5. Definitely a good point and I would like to see why companies do it this way.
I never explained why they shouldn't get to be level 1,2, or 3.... but that's because.... WEll, if you have to make a college team that is a level 1,2 or 3 team... then you shouldn't be making one at all.
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"Come on a flip your mind, to the west's BEST, built by design!!!!" PACIFIC COAST MAGIC ALL STAR CHEERLEADING
Yes coach meggs, I agree too! College teams are always fun, and its certainly entertaining..but only if they are fully level 6. I think its a wonderful idea that they should have divisions for college, but how boring would that be to sit there and watch college level 3? I think maybe teams should only compete if they have requirements to be level 6. ? haha, i dont know... divisions would be better though!
CoachTal wrote: Yes coach meggs, I agree too! College teams are always fun, and its certainly entertaining..but only if they are fully level 6. I think its a wonderful idea that they should have divisions for college, but how boring would that be to sit there and watch college level 3? I think maybe teams should only compete if they have requirements to be level 6. ? haha, i dont know... divisions would be better though!
Hey, What's wrong with level 3, Trannies!!!! It wouldn't be boring if they had our level 3 routine. I don't care how old they were! Well, now that i think about it, Granny's in a FIERCE uniform would be BAD , VERY BAD! No offense!
Well look at the open divisions at most nationals there is usually 2-3 teams competing unless you are looking at Cheersport and USA college nationals. The majority of the time there isn't many teams competing in level 6 and they don't always do level 6 skills. Most actually do between level 2-3 skills with a hint of level 5 tumbling and a couple back tuck/layout baskets. Its far and between to find bunches of level 6 open teams so the need for extra divisions might not be needed at this time. In time with more teams competing, the demand might be there.
Several Years ago, college all star teams were very popular. I feel as though now they are drifting away due to the fact that they AREN'T level 6. Adding level 4-6 would definitly be a plus, but I also feel as though level 3 should be added as well. Maybe do Intermediate (level 3) Excel (Level 4) and advanced(level5 and 6).
Sorry Megan. I wish I had a stronger opinion on this one.
I wouldn't be against adding more levels for Open Teams. Why not? It doesn't hurt me in any way. It actually wouldn't affect me in any way. If there all of a sudden were levels 1-6, small/large, co-ed/all girl, prop/no prop, whatever.....we would still only have the ONE team. The reason why??? Cause College age teams are a bit of a hassle. We love our team don't get me wrong but the only reason we provide ONE team is to give our coaches a place to cheer and to have FUN! Which we do. :) The team makes no money, it's a crazy challenge getting everyone to practice, with age comes injuries, oh and did I mention the team makes no money. We've actually lost close to $30k over the past 8 years. (we look at it as an investment) That is believe it or not a great number. I'd be guessing but I'd say that the average college age team loses it's gym about 7-10k per year.
BTW: I don't think that any Level 6 College All Star team is all that embarrassing. At least when they're competing Level 6 they can do elements that set them apart from the Level 5 younger teams. A level 5 College All Star team being directly compared to a level 5 HS age team???? Eeek.
I just love gathering some of my best friends to stumble through a cheer year and for them to get out on the floor and show the younger ones their love of the sport.
If your college team is putting a smile on the faces of your little ones then your team is a success at any level.
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Danny Kahn Cheergyms.com
"If you're injured don't play. If you play don't tell me you're injured." ~ Don Shula
While I do agree that it would be nice to see the college teams have more levels, I just haven't seen enough teams to justify it. I would really like to see this change in the near future.
I heart Danny! I will openly admit, I am for sure not a level 6 cheerleader, I am old...trust me on this and I have had the time of my life this year. For the last 2 years I have had the privilage of being apart of the cheergyms.com Open team. At my ripe old age I learned many things about myself and coaching. This year I learned that no matter what I do on the floor my kids thought it was great (not just me but the entire team), I learned that 6 hour practices are fun, I learned that a crop top and skirt are really not that bad (if you know me well you know that was tough) and I learned that as a coach you can give your kids a great routine but it is up to them to make it come to life.
No matter what happens with the future of Open teams, I thank Danny and Morton for making the last 2 years my favorite of the 15 years of cheerleading!
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"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." -Walt Disney
, VERY BAD! No offense! 
