Who REALLY has the power in USASF??

Date: Tue Jan 31 6:21 PM, 2006

Who REALLY has the power in USASF??

Date: Tue Jan 31 6:22 PM, 2006

REPOST

Want to know who "owns" USASF? Why not jut check to see who owns the www.usasf.net website?

Go to http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/ and search for usasf.net

HERE'S THE REGISTRATION THAT WILL COME UP FOR usasf.net:

================================
Registrant:
Varsity Spirit
6745 Lenox Center Court
Ste. 300
Memphis, TN 38115
US

Domain Name: USASF.NET

Administrative Contact :
Shelton, Jessica
jshelton@uca.com
6745 Lenox Center Court
Ste. 300
Memphis, TN 38115
US
Phone: 901-387-4300
================================

Tell me again how Varsity doesn't "run" USASF?

Date: Tue Jan 31 6:23 PM, 2006

REPOST

Want to know who "runs" USASF? Why not just see what their physical address is?

Here's USASF's address:
6745 Lennox Center Court
Suite 300
Memphis, TN 38115

Everybody already know Varsity's address?

Varsity Spirit
6745 Lennox Center Court
Suite 300
Memphis, TN 38115

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Does anyone else out there besides me perceive ANY possible "conflicts of interest"?

Date: Tue Jan 31 6:32 PM, 2006

Did NCA/CheerleaderDanzTeam merge with UCA or USA?
I know that UCA/UDA and USA are affiliated with Varsity but I was under the impression that NCA and CDT were a different company all together. At least it was when I worked for them, they were called the National Spirit Group.
Morton?

Date: Tue Jan 31 7:08 PM, 2006

Morton Bergue would be one of the owners of cheergyms.com

Date: Tue Jan 31 7:38 PM, 2006

Here are a couple more on your list:

10. Aaron Flaker - one of the owners of JAMfest
11. Jeff Folkes - one of the owners of Cheersport
12. Roger Schonder - owner of Stingrays

Math Confused,

Obviously, Varsity has a lot of influence on USASF. Doesn't mean they "own" it and even if we were to grant that it were true, so what? What is it that is making you so crazy about it? You don't like the World's concept? You don't like the competition levels? You don't like coaches credentialing?

There's no law requiring any competition company to join USASF.

Just wondering why the outrage.

Date: Tue Jan 31 8:01 PM, 2006

Thank you ACEDAD.

Date: Tue Jan 31 8:31 PM, 2006

Sorry, should've stated again the basic argument.

I believe Varsity unfairly uses it's power over USASF to influence USASF decisions to benefit Varsity companies (UCA, USA, NCA) over other companies (ie SpiritSports, American Championships, COA, CheerSport).

They allow "their" companies to award more bids than they should be able to. For example, USA Nationals is allowed to award 3 paid bids this year, while other companies who would like to award bids are made to "jump through hoops" to get the ability to award bids.

Varsity wielded it's influence to make Elaine Pascale steer the Coaches Congress to "merge with" (cough, taken over by) the USASF. Varsity viewed the National All-star Cheerleading Coaches’ Congress as a real threat to their grab for power, so they swallowed them.

Those are just the things we know about. With their new found power (monopoly), I can only imagine the stuff they do that we don't know about. Just because we don't immediately see/understand the problems a monopoly is causing, doesn't mean there aren't problems.

This is America. Competition is good for consumers. Monopolies are almost always bad for consumers.

"Power corrupts. Absolute power, corrupts absolutely."

Date: Tue Jan 31 8:49 PM, 2006

Interesting. I'm not comfortable with gym owners being a part of this. Not comfortable at all.

Date: Tue Jan 31 9:58 PM, 2006

ACEDAD wrote:

Just wondering why the outrage.

he's & a lot of others are angry because it is not fair to cheer gyms!

Date: Wed Feb 1 12:00 AM, 2006

Well not to burst your bubble, but VARSITY doesn't own USASF or the NACCC. I will say that USASF has a influence of some sort on USASF, but they are the largest cheerleading organization in terms of summer camps, competitions, and apparel. So obvoiusly it will be a large influence. If it is negative or positive is up to you, but I am glad that USASF was formed because it is regulating all-star cheerleading and making it universal across the country and world. In addition the NACCC was not "crushed" , it was just embodied. The NACCC is the rule making body of the USASF, and propose rules to the USASF, which usually all pass, so I think that is an important thing for everyone to understand. You point out alot of Varsity people, but Varsity owns alot of cheerleading. I have not see any negative part of the USASF, NACCC , or Worlds up to this point. Also before you post these large comments, please post all the information for, both positive and negative before proposing it as facts. Alot of coaches, parents, cheerleaders and other people use this board for their only source of information and its good if they were not confused.

Date: Wed Feb 1 12:01 AM, 2006

By the way, Elaine Pascal was a CDT rep originally, Varsity just merged with CDT/National spirit , which are still two different organizations with the same "mother" company. Again get your specifics correct.

Date: Wed Feb 1 12:36 AM, 2006

"Follow the money" and you will find the truth.

NACCC was a great idea and would've been the best thing for the cosumers (cheer gyms & cheerleaders) had it come to dominance..........and USASF not gained so much power over the past 2 years.

The NACCC merge into USASF happened as a direct result of Elaine being subtleley threatened with losing her CDT rep status (and CDT income).

(SIDE NOTE: I listed it as "Varsity apparel" for reader simplicity, not because I was unaware she was CDT rep. Most people would not have know about Varsity acquiring CDT last year, and would've required a longer explanation)

For those that don't see why Varsity having 7 out of the 13 Board Member seats could be a bad thing.....here's an analogy that might help:

"Imagine our United States Congress had only 13 Senators in charge of making laws for all the citizens of all 50 States. Now imagine that 7 of those 13 Senators were all from California. Would it be unfair to think that there could be a chance California might receive some preferential treatment?"

Controlling 7 out of 13 seats is a lot of power.

We can fool ourselves that Varsity doesn't control USASF, but who owns the domain www.usasf.net? Where is the USASF office located? These are not opinions, but facts that you can check.

We must always be vigilant to watch over the power we give our leaders. When left unchecked..........."Power corrupts, and absolute power, corrupts absolutely."

All I'm saying is we should all be aware.

Date: Wed Feb 1 1:10 AM, 2006

Math Confused:

You keep bringing up Elaine and them threating her with her job at CDT. Believe me, someone that has been a rep for them, it is not that great of a job, and does not bring in as much as you think.

Normally you have to sell a given amount be it $300,000 up to amounts of $600,00 and up before you benefit from any type of commission at all. Prior to you selling that ceiling amount your recieve a regular salary that caps out at a certain amount even for veterans like Elaine. You could hit your goal of $300, 000 on Dec 13 and only have 17 days of commission based pay before the year ends....and let me tell you that is the slowest time of the year for uniform sales.

Elaine has alot more to offer than being a CDT rep.....she is great at what she does, running and coaching one of the most well known programs in the country.

Sadly enough, cheerleading is a business just like everything else in the world. There is always another side to the story, especially with competition companies that are not handing out bids this year. When they say "jump through hoops" maybe they did not want to fill out the necessary paper work....I can only imagine the application process. At the same time, there will always be resistance to the big dogs, the companies that think there rules are stupid or they favor certain companies...but clearly more agree than not and if everyone would realize that besides running the Worlds competition the USASF is a pioneer with truly certifying coaches for the kids sake and the safety of all gyms then maybe all this bitterness towards big brother or the USASF would cease. And remember its only cheerleading right? lol?

Peace

Date: Wed Feb 1 5:46 AM, 2006

I think you should add a "wink wink" to your last comment, CDT, because obviously, as Math Confused is pointing out, it appears to be a business first, sport 2nd. Let's not try to fool everyone, okay? Thank you, Math Confused, for pointing out/reminding us that both the USASF website and office is owned by Varsity, who does indeed have a financial stake in all of this. Looking at the turnout of USA competitions lately, I would also like a good explanation of how they got three bids. Haven't heard one yet...

Date: Wed Feb 1 9:41 AM, 2006

yuup wrote:

Morton Bergue would be one of the owners of cheergyms.com

I should have been more clear, I was asking Morton for clarification.

Date: Wed Feb 1 11:37 AM, 2006

I pay for my kid to cheer and stay in shape. She loves it. Who cares?????? Let them run it any way they wish. It's a business. If I don't like it, she can play soccer.

Oh yea, now THERE'S a no hassle, no problem, no drama sport....... You guys need to chill a bit. Sheesh

Date: Wed Feb 1 12:20 PM, 2006

Math Confused,

Thank you for your statements. I think you are right and that everyone should know exactly who is responsible for the USASF. I hope I can shed some light on this since I have been involved with both the NACCC and USASF from the beginning of each.

Let me make some corrections to the list of Board Memebers:

USASF BOARD
--------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
1) Jim Chadwick Vice President of Operations for UCA, USASF Chariman of the Board
2) Mike Burgess President of USA
3) Karen Halterman Vice President of NCA
4) Catherine Moore Director of Marketing and Summer Programs for UDA
5) Bill Seely Vice President of UCA (Actually no longer affiliated with Varsity Brands)
6) Lance Wagers former President of NCA in the early '80's now President of ACA (Another Varsity Brand Company.)
7) Elaine Pascale In addition to World Cup, is ALSO a Rep for Varsity apparel
8) Steve Peterson USASF, fornally Vice President of NCA.
9) Morton Bergue Cheergyms.com (non-Varisty)
10) Aaron Flaker Jamfest (non-Varsity)
11) Jeff Fowlkes Cheersport (non-Varsity)
12) Roger Schonder Stingray All-stars (non-Varsity)
13) Orson Sykes Twist and Shout All-stara (non-Varsity)

So there are 5 non-Varsity and 8 Varsity related people on the Board. (Though, I wouldn't consider Elaine Pascal a "Varsity" affiliate, but for the sake of argument she can remain under the "Varsity" list.) Yes, there are a lot of Varsity people on the USASF Board.

Who is responsible for the USASF, that would be intially Jeff Webb and Varsity Brands. He was the one who put up close to 1 million dollars to get it started. Personally, I am glad he did see the need and when Jim Chadwick came up with the idea. I am also glad he is allowing the USASF to have space in his building and use some of his satff to get the goals of the USASF accomplished.

Now, who is responsible, the USASF Board. Yes, heavily Varsity represented, but I am at the meetings and know that we try our best to do what is best for the industry. Conversations are always about the kids and what is best for them or about the gym owner and what is best for them. Maybe, there is a conflict of interest, but I haven't ever felted pressured to vote one way or another. In fact the 4 gyms on the Borad tend to have the real pull because we know what is happening out in the field.

NACCC was the brain child of Elaine Pascal. She, The Rosarios of Top Gun, Jamie Parsih of Georgia All-stars and Dennis Worley of All-Star Challange did and AMAZING job getting it started. The problem was that, everyone thought it was agreat idea, but no one wanted to help. The gym owners have so much to do, that they couldn't commit to the time and energy it takes to do something like the NACCC and the USASF. Also it did come down to finances. It takes money, A LOT OF IT, to accomplish all the goals the NACCC and USASF wanted to accomplish, more money than the organizers of the NACCC could muster up to keep it going. You are right that the USASF worked very hard to get the two to come together and it WAS NOT EASY. But it was more to get the All-Star community together and less to smash NACCC. I don't know if Elaine "had subtle threats” with losing her CDT rep status. I hope not, but I do Elaine Pascal is a strong women and believe that Elaine would never do anything that would be questionable, moreover go against her beliefs and morals. Elaine is an incredible asset to the USASF Board and I am proud to be on it with her and was proud to be involved with the NACCC.

You are also right about "Non-Profit" Status. That has been an American farce for years. "Non-Profit" means "not showing a profit", so if you can spend it during the year, you don't show a profit. "Non-Profit" also has very strict and stringent rules that have to be followed. Many are put in place so that companies cannot use it for their advantage.

Now I know it seems like the USASF must be turning a "profit" and "Varsity" is somehow getting that money, but the contrary is true. The USASF has an outstanding balance to Varsity for the money it put up to get it started. Once that is paid off there won't be that connection anymore (Yes, I know the Board still is Varsity heavy, but Boards change). USASF needed Varsity to get started. The USASF is trying to make money by running credentialing clinics and workshops, getting gyms and companies to join and running the Worlds. NONE of which have even started to make a dent in the money that has been spent or borrowed. There is a connection, and yes it LOOKS bad, but I know, speaking for myself, that the USASF is trying to do good things.

The All-Star market was out-of-control. We were down to only one insurance company that would insure all-star gyms (and they were thinking of stopping). We had people coaching kids that had never seen a pyramid or stunt and had no idea what a back handspring was. We had the media at every turn telling everyone that cheerleading is "unsafe" and watch out. Something had to be done!

I agree we should always be wary of those that have the "power" and for "monopolies", but in this instance the help of Varsity was a plus. I have been told that I am a dreamer and always think of the good in people (or you are probably saying "what a stupid idiot" to believe this isn't more than a Varsity power play"). All 3 statements are probably true. I do know that I can see the benefit of the USASF and am glad to have been a small part of it's success and failures. It all may blow up in my face and in the faces of the others that are helping to make this work. Varsity may take over the cheer world and I would be out of a job. I have to trust my instincts and the desire of all of my friends in this crazy business to do what we feel is right and fight what we feel is wrong, but right now the USASF feels right, even with it's relationship to Varsity.

I appreciate your candor and your criticisms. Other's are most likely feeling the same way and are just too afraid to say it. If you would like to ever talk to me personally please call me (866-685-7615). Or if you would like to address the Board with your feelings or concerns I would love to help you do that. I can see you are also a lover of cheerleading and are concerned with our business. We need more of you in the dregs of it all!

Morton Bergue
President
Cheergyms.com

Date: Wed Feb 1 1:01 PM, 2006

Let me be honest, I am loving this debate.

Sports are a business, as most things are today. And yes, even cheerleading falls into this category. We may not like that Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, also has his hands in Microsoft, Disney and Pixar, but he does. It is something we accept (maybe because we feel there is little we can do about it) because that is just what is happening across the board today. Sports, electricity, entertainment, processed foods, etc., they are all experiencing this phenomena of people being involved and having ownership in everything that surrounds their product. Is there something wrong with this? Maybe, maybe not.

For now, I'm just enjoying that we are debating something that opens everyone’s eyes to the fact that cheerleading is not only a sport, but a business.

Date: Wed Feb 1 1:08 PM, 2006

Thanks for the added info Morton.

Also, just to be clear, I in no way think Elaine did anything wrong or is a bad person. She's awesome, and I admire her for her work on the Congress. What I have a problem with was the pressure Jeff Webb put on her forcing her to do something she didn't want to do, out of sheer financial self-preservation. Elaine is a great person and industry leader.

I have a problem with USA Nationals being able to offer 3 paid & 6 unpaid bids this year. This seems a clear case of Varsity brands favorable rules enforcement for their own companies.

Someone might ask, "who cares, why is this bad? So they have power, big deal" Why this is bad is if you're another competition company trying to survive/grow, and your competitors (UCA, USA, etc) doesn't have to follow the same rules you have to.

It's equivalent to the US Federal Government saying Sears, Kmart, Best Buy, etc have to follow these set business laws.........but Walmart (since they make such huge campaign contributions or so over half the senators had "financial ties" to Walmart) can be "above" these laws. This creates and "unfair" competitive marketplace, where it's not the "best companies" that survive, but the companies that have the "favorable rule enforcement". In the end, this only hurts the consumers (cheerleaders, parents, & Gyms) because they don't end up with the best competition companies providing great events. We end up with the "chosen ones" that the governing body has financial ties to.

Some might say, "but I like Walmart, so I don't care if they cheat or have unfair regulatory advantages over their competitors". To those people, I have no idea what to say. People who feel that way will never realize the problem until it's too late, and everything explodes. They don't realize that had all companies been held to the same rules, a better company might've grown in the free market........a company they would've liked even better.

I think many people (not cheerleaders or parents, I mean competition companies, Coaches & Gym owners) feel uneasy about the power shift that has happened. And most are afraid to speak-up for fear of retribution.

So, I pose the question again:
"Can anyone explain why USA Nationals gets to award 3 paid bids this year?" Is there any reason besides Varsity favoring one of their own companies?

And here's an even better (big picture) question that's more to my point. "Did they think no one would notice OR did they think no one would dare complain?"