parents drinking at comps

Date: Thu Apr 24 12:09 AM, 2008

parents drinking at comps

Date: Thu Apr 24 12:20 AM, 2008

Not that I approve of parents drinking at comps...but with coaches, they're on the job OF COURSE it's not okay for them to be drinking.

I hate how some moms see nationals as a chance to party. I'm glad they're having fun, but its an embaressment to their kids and if it gets out of hand it's an embaressment to the program they're from.

Date: Thu Apr 24 12:27 AM, 2008

I think the parents who do this all the time looks really bad. Not only to their kids but to their gym that they belong to. Even though they don't think people mind they don't see how they act and how loud they can be. I would hate for my child to be around that.

Date: Thu Apr 24 5:25 AM, 2008

hummm, this is an interesting topic. Only because I have been to competitions were alcohol is available for sale. There is an kiosk restrauant just outside the convention center doors. This kiosk sells bottled beers of many types. Or there are major hotel chains just next door that of course sell domestic and mixed drinks. Or events, such as the jamz nationals, that host their nationals in a casino where were all now any type of alcohol is available. It's readily available so the parents are going t purchase the product.

It's no different than someone attending a professional baseball game, watching the event, running to the snack bars and ordering a beer and a hotlink.

parents drinking. It's not going to change, parents will continue to do so whether if the product is available or not. Maybe, if you see this occurring at an event make sure you are sitted in another section. Those convention centers are large enough that you can find a different seat and not be bothered by this.

Date: Thu Apr 24 6:09 AM, 2008

Our parents are advised that if they are drinking (me included), to not wear any shirts that identify what gym we are with. We are also advised not to drink in the competition area. Basically, wait until the comp is over, the kids are in bed (if the older ones can watch the younger ones), and there are no more events. Then we have no problem going to the nearby bar for a few and socializing.

That being said, I have a problem with coaches out partying (and more) with other parents (mostly moms). That should not happen under any circumstances.

Date: Thu Apr 24 6:29 AM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

Our parents are advised that if they are drinking (me included), to not wear any shirts that identify what gym we are with. We are also advised not to drink in the competition area. Basically, wait until the comp is over, the kids are in bed (if the older ones can watch the younger ones), and there are no more events. Then we have no problem going to the nearby bar for a few and socializing.

That being said, I have a problem with coaches out partying (and more) with other parents (mostly moms). That should not happen under any circumstances.

My question to you is "when can a coach be just a person?" Explain to me when they are off the "official" coaching clock. And how is it not ok to be friends with any of your clients?

Private business owners whine and dine their clients. It's just part of private industry. If I am going to sell you a product, of some sort, I may need to take you out to dinner, send you on a 3-day cruise, or perhaps buy you a nice bottle of wine. This practice is done in business all the time.

Please explain to me how the cheerleading business is different than any other business.

Date: Thu Apr 24 6:57 AM, 2008

In the six or so years we have been involved in competitive cheer I can honestly say I have never seen parents drinking and carrying on at a venue. This topic has been brought up before and I just honestly have never seen or had a problem with it. Just like cheerleaders conducting themselves in an appropriate manner when in uniform, I would expect parents and coaches to do the same. Your actions reflect on your gym. Other then that what you do afterwards is your business.

Tamara · cheergyms.com Master Poster

I absolutely think it's okay for parents (of course there are exceptional cases), but not for staff. The staff is on the job and shouldn't be drinking. If it's a multiple day comp and the team travels as a team, then the staff still shouldn't be drinking until after the last day. To answer someone else's question, a coach can be a "person" once they are not in charge of my child.

I don't have a problem with staff and parents and kids going out to dinner, catching a movie or anything along those lines.

Oh! and if the gym has requested that parents not drink while in their gyms clothing, I don't have a problem with that either. Afterall, it is their business that gym clad parents are representing.

Date: Thu Apr 24 7:45 AM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Our parents are advised that if they are drinking (me included), to not wear any shirts that identify what gym we are with. We are also advised not to drink in the competition area. Basically, wait until the comp is over, the kids are in bed (if the older ones can watch the younger ones), and there are no more events. Then we have no problem going to the nearby bar for a few and socializing.

That being said, I have a problem with coaches out partying (and more) with other parents (mostly moms). That should not happen under any circumstances.

My question to you is "when can a coach be just a person?" Explain to me when they are off the "official" coaching clock. And how is it not ok to be friends with any of your clients?

Private business owners whine and dine their clients. It's just part of private industry. If I am going to sell you a product, of some sort, I may need to take you out to dinner, send you on a 3-day cruise, or perhaps buy you a nice bottle of wine. This practice is done in business all the time.

Please explain to me how the cheerleading business is different than any other business.

The difference is on business trips you have wine or a drink with dinner. But with cheer parents/coaches, come on we all know, we can get a little loud and wild. Next thing you know parents are stunting in the lobby, trying tumbling passes down the hall, and showing off their dance moves.

Date: Thu Apr 24 8:15 AM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

In the six or so years we have been involved in competitive cheer I can honestly say I have never seen parents drinking and carrying on at a venue. This topic has been brought up before and I just honestly have never seen or had a problem with it. Just like cheerleaders conducting themselves in an appropriate manner when in uniform, I would expect parents and coaches to do the same. Your actions reflect on your gym. Other then that what you do afterwards is your business.

I haven't really noticed it at other venues (so I'm assuming the parties are in the rooms) but at Worlds and UCA the parents can be found down by the pool at the allstar resorts at that little bar getting pretty toasty.

I agree though, its a good idea to not have your team clothes on while you're doing that. It does reflect poorly on your gym.

Date: Thu Apr 24 8:38 AM, 2008

The only competition I've seen cheer parents drinking is at Vegas competitions, and when it's 10 or 11 am it looks pretty bad. None of our parents/coaches drink at competitions. Frequently a large group of parents and cheerleaders will go out to dinner after the competition is over and some of the parents or coaches might have a ****tail. I don't really see anything wrong with that, as long as they don't get drunk. Having a drink and getting drunk and embarrassing yourself, your kid and your program is another story. If you're going to get drunk, for heaven's sake ditch the team clothing and don't do it in front of any of the kids, especially your own.

Date: Thu Apr 24 10:21 AM, 2008

ok but what about the parent that brings it into the comp and smells of it and gets really loud at every comp they go to. I agree that it is ok to have a drink or 2 while on break at the places that are surving it but sitting in your seat drinking all the time is wrong. Really wrong.

Date: Thu Apr 24 10:26 AM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

The only competition I've seen cheer parents drinking is at Vegas competitions, and when it's 10 or 11 am it looks pretty bad. None of our parents/coaches drink at competitions. Frequently a large group of parents and cheerleaders will go out to dinner after the competition is over and some of the parents or coaches might have a ****tail. I don't really see anything wrong with that, as long as they don't get drunk. Having a drink and getting drunk and embarrassing yourself, your kid and your program is another story. If you're going to get drunk, for heaven's sake ditch the team clothing and don't do it in front of any of the kids, especially your own.

I agree with you. I think their is nothing wrong with doing it as a group after the comp. For the parents that are bringing it in have some class when doing it and don't do anything embarrassing to yourself, your child, or your gym that you belong to. aww

Date: Thu Apr 24 12:53 PM, 2008

If the venue servees alcohol, then I have no problem with parents indulging in a ****tail. They are ADULTS afterall and spend a lot of time & money on this sport for their children. I don't think they should get drunk & make an a*s of themselves, but this is a free country and people should be abel to do what they want within reason.

Date: Thu Apr 24 3:55 PM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

ok but what about the parent that brings it into the comp and smells of it and gets really loud at every comp they go to. I agree that it is ok to have a drink or 2 while on break at the places that are surving it but sitting in your seat drinking all the time is wrong. Really wrong.

Its so sad. I have seen a team that does that. And their parents bring alcohol in soda bottles. Come on, be a better example for your children!

Date: Thu Apr 24 4:06 PM, 2008

I find it hilarious that it is okay with many on these boards to bash other gyms and name call but thn turn around and say a parent having a beer at a comp. is out of control....REALLY????? Last time I checked I was an adult of legal drinking age and if I want a beer then why on earth would it bother you???? I agree that someone's behavior at a comp. should be appropriate....but I have seen many inappropriate parents at comp. who were perfectly sober....they just happened to be crazy cheer parents and for some reason think it is okay to act like a 13 year old child andstare down girls/parents from "rival" gyms. So maybe the warning should be....don't act like a jacka*s at a comp.....that goes for those who decide to have a beer and for those who are perfectly sober.

Tamara · cheergyms.com Master Poster

Anonymous wrote:
... So maybe the warning should be....don't act like a jacka*s at a comp.....that goes for those who decide to have a beer and for those who are perfectly sober.

Amen!

-- Edited by Tamara at 17:17, 2008-04-24

Date: Thu Apr 24 4:26 PM, 2008

I dont find it a problem, as long as you know how to control yourself. Geez, some of these comps, that's your only saving grace (havin a drink :)

Date: Thu Apr 24 9:53 PM, 2008

hay if you have a parent that has a problem at every comp then take it up with your gym. No harm no foul right? Or just do not sit with the parent or parents that do so ( i'm talking about the ones that always bring it in their sport bottles).

Date: Sun Apr 27 4:08 AM, 2008

As far as coaches drinking after hours, I would say I don't mind if my kid doesn't see it and they do not have a hangover that affects their ability to coach...and that includes just being in a bad mood because they are tired and have a headache, not just hurling in the potted plants. Sadly I have witnessed the aftermath of too much booze by cranky coaches with a headache screaming at minis because they just needed to be in bed still. As much money as I spend on cheerleading, I am not too sympathetic to someone not feeling well because of a VOLUNTARY choice. There are about 44 other weekends in the year to get wasted that don't affect me.

We have a very broad statement of how to represent our gym appropriately that applies to all coaches, parents and athletes, so everyone toes the line. There are no rules against drinking, but no one swings from the balcony either. Had one person (college age) on older international team show up still drunk in the morning at a comp. He was off the team ASAP though he was an incredible athlete and a really nice person who just lost control. Can we say everyone else toes the line now!