Competition Problems

Date: Wed Feb 1 12:30 PM, 2006

Competition Problems

Date: Wed Feb 1 12:55 PM, 2006

Well said :) I hope the right people see this.

Date: Wed Feb 1 1:41 PM, 2006

I agree 100%. Competition organizers need to get the squads in and out much quicker than they do now. I love watching my child compete, but my family members have to drive up in separate cars because they don't want to wait around all day long to see my child perform.

Date: Wed Feb 1 2:21 PM, 2006

Amen!!!!!!! Love the message!!! Ditto to everything that was said. I too hope that the right people see this!!

Date: Wed Feb 1 2:41 PM, 2006

Awesome Post! I'm going to put a link on the cheergyms.com Home Page. Maybe more competition companies will see it that way.

BTW, Morton and I are doing everything we can to avoid the above pitfalls at our competition on Feb 12th. Parents, please come back here to post what you think.

Date: Wed Feb 1 2:49 PM, 2006

I also COMPLETELY agree with the original post, very well said indeed!

And I know I have brought this up before but I can't stress it enough -- let us take pictures and video if we want, please!! We're paying enough to get in to watch our child, don't force us to pay another $25 plus (most are "plus") to see the performance again in six weeks. I don't care if the vendors have a strict no camera rule, we're not taping, okay gonna use the same example, Black Sabbath here. We have no intention of selling Susie's Jr. Prep Novice performance to the highest bidder on ebay. Parents can tape their children's football games, soccer games, dance recitals, etc...etc..l Should be no different! At the last competition we attended, pictures they posted on the web were $14.95 apiece. Yes, apiece. We will pass, thank you.

Date: Wed Feb 1 4:27 PM, 2006

Hey Comp Organizers wrote:

Ok, from us to you....... We (parents) would like to put in a request. No, better yet, WE HAVE DEMANDS. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!!!!

We are SICK AND TIRED of sitting for 11 hours in stands or seats that make our rears numb!!!!!!! We are tired of being squished together because you didn't plan for enough seating! You KNOW how many kids are coming and KNOW that they bring about 4 people each with them. You KNOW that they have siblings who have to do SOMETHING while they are there. But for some reason you chose to ignore this and put your competition in a venue that is just too small! And I am talking HUNDREDS OF SEATS, TOO SMALL.

Then we hear, "Please don't save seats." Are you kidding???? Seriously, is this some sort of sick joke???? Grandma has to sit somewhere when she comes. And when I am there at 7 am because I CHOSE to get up at 5 am to get my rear there at a reasonable time, you best believe I am saving a seat for Grandma. Now, I do believe in NOT saving a seat for my cheerleader, their best friend, their best friends cousin and their dog. BUT ARRANGE PLACES FOR THEM TO SIT (this is aimed at you CheerPros in the Aquadome last weekend. You knew who was coming but you didn't care. You tortured us for 11 hours with chairs that were strapped together and no seating for the girls. Then you stopped letting people in cause parents were sitting on the floor from not enough seating. Was Candid Camera there????? Cause that was A HUGE JOKE)

Then parents get upset with each other over this. You know, as bad as it sounds, I totally understand this. If I want to sit, and someone else is saving a seat, I am upset. But if I am the one who is forced to save a seat cause the organizers hate us, then I have no choice. It's a really vicious circle here and I swear to you, the organizers are sitting somewhere watching all of this and laughing their rears off.

Then we hear "keep the isles clear." Where would you like the 4 and 5 year olds to sit for the 11 hours we are there because you can't run things on time???? They have to be able to move. It's called being a child. And if they cant sit on the floor, where would you like them to go??? Want the isles clear??? PLAN BETTER. PLAN BETTER. PLAN BETTER. PLAN BETTER. PLAN BETTER. PLAN BETTER.

Don't want us to walk in front of the judges???? PLAN BETTER!!!!! If there are people walking in front of your judges, THATS YOUR FAULT. Nope, no one should be walking when someone is performing, but if it's in front of your judges.... well, you just didn't take care of them well enough. They should be put up higher so no one can POSSIBLY be that tall.

(taking a breath....... innnnnn....... outttttttttt. Wow, that made me dizzy. I AM getting old)

THE MUSIC IS WAYYYYYY TOO LOUD!!!! I am going to be partially deaf after this is all over. We aren't at a Black Sabath concert here. Stand at the edge of the mat, test your sound and adjust it accordingly. If the people at the back of the venue want to hear better, they will get there earlier to get better seats. And this goes for EVERY SINGLE COMPETITION. THE MUSIC IS WAY TOO LOUD. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS. NONE.

Running out of food????? Are you kidding?????? That is sooooooooooo absolutely ridiculous that it should never happen again. You know better. SHAME ON YOU!!!!!

10.00 to park and 10.00 to get in, 3.00 to 5.00 for one hotdog, and you still want to cram us in there???? This is getting WAYYYYYY out of hand here. We are 6 years into this cheer thing and WANT to be here...... but I am telling you this. A lot of people really do care about this and I KNOW you rely on large gyms to attend your events. But if these large gyms have parents who are unhappy, we won't be attending again. We already pulled out of one this season because of this and a few more are really pushing their luck. Believe it or not, if your parents are not happy, you won't be either.

This is MOM TALKING. You had better listen!!!

(thanks to everyone else who read this. I am so upset about last weeks competition, and have to endure another one this weekend. I tell ya, if my child didn't love cheer as much as she does, we wouldn't be going thru this anymore. And they wonder why many gyms don't come back year after year)

I think this post is more venting then positive. I understand the frustration for the BAD seats, cause it hurts sitting on bleachers or anything of that nature. As far as the running out of food, that is unaccpetable as well. My problem with cheer compeitions is the lack of vendors. They think 2 or 3 stations is enough for all those people. Pick places that have many vendors so the lines are shorter and it creates a quicker system.

As far as paying for competitions, you have to think how much it costs to rent convention centers. Now I don't know what competition you were at, but many convention centers such as the Anaheim Convention Center cost a pretty penny. There are alot of staff, security, judges, trainers, and other people to pay. Also those huge trophies and other gifts cost money in addition to the money the kids pay to participate. People complain about competitions at high schools so you have to accept the higher costs of convention centers. I think one day competitions shoud cost no more than 8 dollars and 2 days $15.00. You pay about 5 bucks for a high school foot ball game and there at football fields with HORRIBLE seating and parking. I think paying about 8 bucks to sit in a gym or convention center isn't that bad. If you want to bring your family, then check on the prices prior to taking your entire family to the event. competitions like Jamfest offer free admission to visitors or many gyms put on exhibitions. I think prior planning goes into attending competitions by gyms and families. The one thing I do not like about many competitions is Parking fees!! Now paying to get in, buying food, and the 40 dollar DVD is enough , but parking fees are outrageous. I guess since cheerleading is a professional activity now, or getting there we are going to have to pay what it costs to see other sports such as the Sacramento Kings, Oakland A's and other teams of that nature. You pay money to park, get in, and other things for that, so competitive cheer will get to tthat level. Its all about communication and knowing ahead of time. Pick the cheaper competitions to take your family too and the more exspensive ones to just bring your Mom and Dad.

Date: Wed Feb 1 6:07 PM, 2006

Ok, I have to add one more thing. Our kids work really hard and deserve healthier food at these competitions. Nachos and hot dogs are easy to make, but please give us yogurt, fruit, a salad or something. When you are there all day, you need something healthy to eat to keep you going!

Date: Wed Feb 1 7:42 PM, 2006

I don't think the original post was griping just expressing what alot of us parents feel!

Date: Wed Feb 1 9:27 PM, 2006

I also don't think the original post was venting, I thought it was very constructive criticism of things we can all relate to -- things we've all been frustrated by.

I have a question for you Hmmmm.... what EXACTLY does our comp fee per child pay for if it isn't all the things you mentioned??? When I pay $50 to $75 per child for a competition, I thought that was to cover the overhead expenses. If it's not, what is it paying for?? I mean, if three or four of our teams go, at $75 per head, that's $7500 right there, just for OUR organization. Multiply that by all the other ones there, and that ain't peanuts. So do all these other expenses they tack on (parking, entrance, food, etc...) really have to be so OUTRAGEOUS that I have to plan which competitions my entire family gets to see??

Here's yet another pet peeve/complaint -- if you're gonna charge us $10 to $15 to get in, at the very least, give us an updated schedule!! DO NOT make us pay another $5 for it.

Date: Thu Feb 2 12:03 AM, 2006

Thank you everyone for supporting me. I think I was expecting to be reamed. I am so relieved to see that others agree with me. I know that I was in short venting as well as really stressing what we think at these events. The main reason JamFest is free to get in is because they are one of the most expensive competitions to compete at. Then they make you sit on bleachers and give out hodded sweatshirts that are silkscreened with ONE color. Trust me, they are making money there. Your fees go to pay for the venue and trophies. The money they charge to get in and park is just extra $$$.

Hmmmmm, thanks so much for giving me some food for thought. I know we are in the same boat basically. And Danny, thanks for allowing us parents to post what we feel. it makes us feel as if we are heard even though it's not always positive. I truly hope the competitions out there read this because they need to take a long hard look at what's going on. The parents and spectators are NOT happy.

Now for the food suggestion....... oh Dear Lord PLEASE let them hear that one!!!!! I don't eat hot dogs away from there, please don't make me eat it when I am stuck with a million screaming girls!!!!! It's just not going to be a pretty sight one of these times!!!!!!

You guys/gals are awesome. Thanks for your support........

Date: Thu Feb 2 12:09 AM, 2006

Question for Hmmm wrote:

I also don't think the original post was venting, I thought it was very constructive criticism of things we can all relate to -- things we've all been frustrated by.

I have a question for you Hmmmm.... what EXACTLY does our comp fee per child pay for if it isn't all the things you mentioned??? When I pay $50 to $75 per child for a competition, I thought that was to cover the overhead expenses. If it's not, what is it paying for?? I mean, if three or four of our teams go, at $75 per head, that's $7500 right there, just for OUR organization. Multiply that by all the other ones there, and that ain't peanuts. So do all these other expenses they tack on (parking, entrance, food, etc...) really have to be so OUTRAGEOUS that I have to plan which competitions my entire family gets to see??

Here's yet another pet peeve/complaint -- if you're gonna charge us $10 to $15 to get in, at the very least, give us an updated schedule!! DO NOT make us pay another $5 for it.

The registration pays for than just the competition itself. A competition is more thann just the 2 and half minutes that your child competes at. Its warm ups, administration staff, First aid staff, competition staff, awards, free gifts, and any other small thing you might overlook. Every person and every service that you take for granted at any venue is a cost. You don't work at your job for free, so those people don't either. Every competition fee isn't 50-75 dollars each. Only the national level competitions are, and those are usually 2 day comps and that speaks for itself. To me its all laid out to you when you tryout for cheerleading, so why is there such an aftershock of surprise.

Also in the original post, the Mom complained the music was to loud. That is not constructive criticism, that is just a complaint. When your on stage and about to release all that energy, a low level sound system will not get you pumped. I do agree the schedules should be updated and the seating should be more comfortable.

As far as saving seats. Nothing bothers me more than parents who save seats. Now, since there multiple award ceremonies at most cheer competitions, there are no reasons to save seats. Saving seats is just rude in my opinion, no matter what the reason. There are other people/teams who need seats and when people's children do not return for hours or even 30 minutes, its rude to save those seats.

Date: Thu Feb 2 12:29 AM, 2006

Ok, you are reading WAY too much into it.....

First off, the fees cover all that stuff. The staff isn't making much at all. And the competition company makes more than enough to cover that. But I'm not getting into who gets paid what and who doesn't ..... thats NOT the point.

Basically, things can be run better. Planning is the key. My mom used to say,"Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine." What that means is, just cause you didn't plan doesn't mean I should scramble. JamFest is free for a reason. See my other post.

As a competition company, you want to draw in the big dogs. This means, the bigger cheer gyms and the ones people come to see. When the bigger cheer gyms are not happy, it takes twice as much work to draw in enough people to support your competition.

Run a good competition, offer different food, make parents comfortable and they won't complain about the pricing to get in and the parking fees. They will WANT to be there. Happy people shell out the cash. Ask any casino. Happy people pay, and do it smiling too!!!!

Loud music doesn't pump you up. Your adreneline does (I probably spelled that wrong but I am too tired now to do spell check). The girls don't need BLASTING music to get going. My "constructine critisim" was the suggestion to check your sound system before the beginning of the competition. I think you may have missed that line.

Saving seats IS rude. I agree. But not saving it for Grandma is rude too. One seat ok. 15? no no no. Next time your hubby gets up to tinkle, you had better give that seat up!!!! Practice what you preach! (Kinda sounds silly when someone gets a bit too technical, huh???)

It's ok to disagree here. Not everyone is going to think the same. Thats why I thanked you for your post. It's nice to hear the other sides point of view. See you at JAMZ!!!!! I'll save a seat for ya!!! (huge grin, I'm so kidding with you....)

Date: Thu Feb 2 12:34 AM, 2006

You seriously think I am bringing Mom and Dad to the "cheaper competitions?" Are you kidding???? Those are the worst ones! They will never come back and then they will give cheer a bad name when they tell others!!! Oh boy, I would never do that to Grandma and Grandpa.......

That's worse than saving 25 seats......

Date: Thu Feb 2 12:44 AM, 2006

Hmmm, the original post talked about saving seats for Grandma and other family members, not for the children competing. Perfectly fine with most reasonable folks.

And yeah, the competition fees are layed out when you sign up for cheerleading, but not all the other money you have to dish out for everything from parking to food to programs, to whatever else they can try to squeeze out of you. I think we're just saying it's getting to be TOO MUCH, and pretty soon we won't be able to afford to go at all, so this is a heads-up. I would much rather they lower the admission and parking, and cut out all these extra prizes they're offering for the first place winners. I think winning is rewarding enough -- isn't it??

Date: Thu Feb 2 2:01 AM, 2006

And it's not even really just the first place winners... the tshirts to each team, the gifts to everyone who attends. Yea they all love to get something, but make it comfortable and people will tend to overlook the little annoyances if the big picture is nice. But for the most part, the big picture is getting ugly!!!!

SOS gave out nice bags but everyone gives out bags and now I have a gazillion of them. But SOS ran it so LOOOOOOOONG that by the time your kid went for the 2nd or 3rd time in the same day (yep, they compete twice or 3 times in one day) the kids were ready for bed!!!! There were kids sleeping in the chairs everywhere!!!

Make it comfortable! Good food, on time performances or at least close to it, not blaring music, and tons of seating and most will overlook the other little things. JAMFest doesn't need the carnival afterwards. It's a carnival during the competition!!!!!

Date: Thu Feb 2 6:51 AM, 2006

THANK YOU SISTER!!!! I have a 4 year old who competes and a 11 years old.... My ass is in the seats prior to some you even rolling out of bed... I know I am going to be their 11 hours so I do plan ahead...

So if you see a mom who is saving seats for grandma and daddy... Dont ask me not save a seat....

Date: Thu Feb 2 8:19 AM, 2006

I like this topic so I'm just going to let everyone know that off topic posts in this thread will be deleted.

Date: Thu Feb 2 8:57 AM, 2006

CHEER MOM wrote:

THANK YOU SISTER!!!! I have a 4 year old who competes and a 11 years old.... My ass is in the seats prior to some you even rolling out of bed... I know I am going to be their 11 hours so I do plan ahead...

So if you see a mom who is saving seats for grandma and daddy... Dont ask me not save a seat....

Cheer MOM you are FUNNY. I love you already. 11 hours, wow your are a serious Cheer Lover. You must have kids on both mini's and seniors. That is a very long day. I really agree with the organization of competitions, and know that the distribution of money is a completely different issue.

Overall I would like to see these improvements:

*Competitions Running on TIME
*Comfortable Seating
*No more than 8 bucks to watch a 1 day event or 15 for 2 days
*Reduced parking fees
*Healthier food, although I am always one who loves the Nachos
*More Vendors to prevent those long lines

Good parts that I hope continue:

*Gifts for every participant
*Jackets, sweatshirts, or backpacks for the respective winners
*Free admission for spectators at some events
*Professional videographers and photographers taking pictures (Its distracting watching Uncle Sam filming a team and you can't see past them)
*DVD's for sale that day and you can bring them home.
*Exciting upbeat music in between each team
*Venues that will accomodate many people.

Date: Thu Feb 2 9:23 AM, 2006

Response to Hmmm again -- you can't have the prizes for all participants, the backpacks for winners, and all the other junk, and have a reasonable admission fee. So, choose one. Let's vote, I think most would choose the lower admission fee so that more friends and family can share the experience. It's the experience you will remember, forget about the fluffy gifts.

Sure, have the expensive photographers and folks who videotape there, but allow my family to videotape if they want to. Sorry if Uncle Sam is in your way -- he's filming his niece. I've never had videocameras in my way, but if that's the problem, they can always enforce a rule that says you have to do it from your seat, or from an area that won't block anyone's view, no big deal. The point is, give us a choice, please. Just because it might annoy you, don't force others to shell out more cash. And I still have never been to a competition that allows you to buy the DVD the same day and take it home with you. I mean, how is that even possible? Don't you have to wait around for them to make copies? Someone please explain that one to me cuz I'm still not believing it. Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for the one I was forced to buy (couldn't tape) at our last comp.

I do agree with all the rest of your points though.