There is now a magazine devoted to cheerleaders in Texas. No, not that kind of magazine.
Denise Martin, owner of Chants & Cheers, a Cedar Park cheerleading studio, two weeks ago kicked off the quarterly magazine Texas Cheerleader.
The magazine is a timely endeavor — one out of every four of the nation’s competitive school spirit squads is from Texas, according to a 2002-03 survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations in Indianapolis. Competitive cheerleading also has become one of the fastest-growing high school sports for girls, the same study shows. Locally, the Capital City Cheer & Dance Championship, for example, will be held Oct. 31 at the Austin Convention Center.
The 36-year-old Martin, who was a Spurs Silver Dancer in 1995-96, said a statewide magazine is needed because cheerleaders care about trends, rivalries and competition in their area.
Karen Halterman, executive director for the National Cheerleaders Association, agrees. “There’s definitely more room for something localized for the Texas cheerleader.”
Texas Cheerleader is targeted to school-age cheerleaders and dance troupes. It will feature articles on injury prevention and cheer fashion, profiles of professional cheerleaders and dates of area competitions. The current edition spotlights two San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancers. Martin even tried — unsuccessfully — to get an interview with Gov. Rick Perry, a former yell leader for Texas A&M University.
Can’t imagine why the Governor wouldn’t have wanted to talk about his yell leader days. It’s the last time he’s demonstrated anything resembling “leadership”, after all.
I won’t make any cheap jokes about this endeavor. Frankly, I’m shocked there wasn’t already such a publication. Apparently, it’s the first of its kind anywhere, but imitators in other states may soon follow.
Nothing like a pack of cheerleaders to bring out my inner Gloria Steinem. I can’t help but wonder if there’ll be articles about how to protect yourself from the angry parents of some girl who didn’t make the squad.
If you’ve ever seen the cheerleading competitions on ESPN or ESPN2, you can understand why a magazine was developed for those who are into the sport.
I wonder if they will have a review of “The Positively True Adventures of the Texas Cheerleading Mom” (which I have on videotape).
🙂
I have a correction. That title should be “The Positively True Adventures of the Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom”.
D’oh! 🙂
As much as Texas is proud of their cheerleaders and the competition they attend, they still can’t match up to the Carl Albert cheer program in Midwest City, Oklahoma. These girls have taken home numerous state and national titles over the past 5 years both at the NCA and ACA levels. But I applaud the initiative of creating a Texas cheer magazine for these young and upcoming competitors. Speaks to the great support by parents, associates and friends. Cheer programs will benefit from magazines such as this.
I’m glad to see this website provided for cheer athletes in Texas. Although I’m from Michigan, I am a tumbling clinician and will gladly provide free tumbling advice to anyone who asks.
Steve Daugherty, Tumbling Clinician
The Clinic, LLC
sdaug@altelco.net
i almost have my backhandspring i just have a problem with sticking my feet together do you have any suggestions for me?
I’m a cheerleader in the 11th grade, and I’ve been working on my tuck since I was in the 7th grade..I can do it with a spot and its pretty good, but as soon as she steps away i freak out and basically do a backhandspring in mid air..and no matter what I’ve done ,I havent been able to not freak out ..any ideas?