To quote Nelson "So we were expecting the “black cloud” to show up at the GSSA Competition, instead we received something that more or less resembled a “black mist”. The parents have yet to find that ability to come together and cheer for every cheergyms.com team. It’s tough when you have 30 some odd performances to cheer for, and even tougher when you’re sitting alone. What’s the solution? I don’t know. Perhaps a plethora of air horns or maybe a few dedicated parents making shakers, or how about just familiarizing oneself with the cheergyms.com chant. Who really knows, I just hope that one day soon we can bring back the “black cloud”. "
I have seen banging sticks, waiving towels, air horns, whistles, tambourines.......but what about BELLS? What about a solid black "cow bell" add some black and maroon ribbons, and ring our hearts out. I will volunteer to get all the stuff and make them, all we need is parents to help pay for it "BRING IT" and "USE IT" I saw them for about $5.00 a piece.
I think it goes beyond what noise makers we get, although the cow bell thing sounds nice and loud! I would support that.
I think we need to have a short and easy CHEER that anyone from the audience can pick up on. A simple loud chant "CHEERGYMS-DOT-COM! CHEERGYMS-DOT-COM!" led by one of the coaches (or better yet Morton or Danny!) with a big cow bell would be great!
I agree we just don't have that something yet. We mostly sat together, but when the teams came on I mostly only heard a crowd down at the other end of where I was sitting. When I first arrived I had some focus Mom's a couple of rows of ahead of me. They were dancing and having a great time. I thought great looks like everyone is getting in the mood. But then when it came time for perfomances..nothing. Not only nothing, but I actually became irritated when I was trying to video tape and most of the people walking in front of me (hate to name names, but..)were Focus cheer members leaving up the stairs. I was sitting there thinking we were cheering for you, where the heck are you going?
I agree on the team chants not working for us either. This works for teams like Power because they all use the same chant for every team. We have different chants and if its just cheergyms.com it happens to fast and its hard for us all to know where it comes in all the different routines. Maybe Danny and Morton can work on something new?
The flags are great, but not many seem to even bring them. I felt I was pretty much alone in that effort in my area. Also, I'm cutting off the stick, I was tired of tripping people in the isles and it makes it much easier to shove in my purse/bag, lol. I don't know about anyone else, but I spend 8-12 hours at these things when its high school and Elite teams and I think about what I have to carry around. :/
Cow bells sound fun, but not sure how that will be to carry around, depends on the size I guess. I don't think its the noise makers that are making the difference its those parents yelling their heads off that does. Maybe we need the parents to practice for our cheers too? Maybe some rallies eariler in the year so we all know what the teams will be doing?
I, personally, really like the individual gym's chants - maybe 'cause I love Illusions' so much. They're short and pretty obvious, which makes them easy to learn.
I am not too big on noise makers. I think that if we all just cheered like the mad supporters we want to be that would suffice. However, I have to admit, after 1st awards at GSSA I was pretty quiet- too tired (except when Motions Jr's went on :) ).
I am giving up on my flag, it's too lonely.
If we all just start walking the walk, all will be good.
How many can tell us what the chants are for each gym?
And how many of us can join in on the chants before they are over?
I agree on the flags...not working for me.
And noise makers, well....I still like noise makers that come from the lungs. But I am willing to go along with the majority if they like the bell thing.
Yes I kind of picked on Focus, only because they were sitting right in front of me and constantly in the way of my camera, but it wasn't only them. But I walked the walked...I was there for every team, all day.
BUT...I do not know the chant for every different gym, I'm willing to learn, I only know a few. But I've NEVER heard them being used, not since Summer Jam. They should be done before every team performs. How about someone posting all the words for us. It would be a start.
I still think a simple cheer for all teams would be the best way to go.
I will still bring my flag, even with its stick cut off, lol. It will now fit in my purse and I won't trip anyone trying to leave their seats by me.
We can do this...we just need to know exactly what to do!
As most of you may know, I am not a huge message board responder and have learned to become one of those silent-but strong-supporter-type parents, in which, I enjoy whole-heartedly.
With the subject of SPIRIT noise makers, I'm really not into them, well, let me rephrase this, what has been provided/created are very nice, however, I am not into what is available for several reasons. Let me explain, for those of you who know me, I loose things all the time, remember my car keys at Marine World, purse at AB in San Jose, and the most recent GSSA at SJSU, yes, I almost lost my cell phone, thank god it was still there.
Reason #1 because things get lost, you either leave the event after a long search without them or end up with a couple more, #2 they get in the way, bulky/block isleways and spectator views, #3 simply not effective.
So, here are my ideas... the flag (get rid of the stick), if we can come up with a bandana-type flag (yes, similar to Power) then I can stick it in my pockets, tie it to my belt loop or around my neck, etc. it doesn't get in the way and is easy to keep track of. Another idea how about a whistle attched to a cheergyms.com lanyard that you can have handy around your neck... can't loose that and it doesn't get in the way. If we use this idea we can also create an cheergyms.com chant card that can be attached just as well, then hopefully we can all join by supporting our cheergym.com family counterparts. I was thinking the cow bell can also be attached but not sure if this would be too heavy around the neck.
Just my ideas.
Hope all is doing well and have a great Holiday season!
