Herkie Made It Happen For Me

[MrCheerUSA]

Hey All, Back in the summer of 1968 I went to NCA camp at Redlands University,CA.  Herkie was the head instructor. I was 15 years old and it was me and 2 asian girls. I was a Junior Varsity Cheerleader and they were Varsity. No one else wanted to go to camp so we 3 formed a team for camp. We sat in awe of the HUGE teams and shyly watched. The minute I saw Herkie and his staff I said to myself, "I am going to be one of those guys.". Little did I know where it would all lead. Two summers later Herkie approached me and asked me if I would consider joining the NCA staff after High School. My rookie year was 1971 and I had 2 weeks  scheduled. I was thrilled. I had no idea that others had 10-14 weeks. I guess I did a good job because I ended up working 6 weeks that summer. I returned for 4 more summers and my last two years I was a Head Instructor. The NCA program was not progressive enough for me and so I was approached by Robert Olmstead to start an all new cheerleading company. He did not have a name but he shared the same ideals as me and so a group of us left the NCA to start the new organization. I had always been frustrated that the NCA focused on Cheerleaders but in CA we had mascots, drill teams, song leaders, tall flag, short flag, dance teams..........and we needed a name that brought us all together. I came up with company's name and you know it today as the United Spirit Association. USA. Our inaugural year was 1976 the 200 year birthday of our country and needless to say the concept that we started grew, developed and has continued. I left the USA after 4 summers and it went on its way with new blood and new ideas but from what I have seen and heard, the basic concepts that we felt needed to be taught to every cheerleader and specialty performer would endure to this very day. This year the 60 years of NCA cheers is gathering in Dallas and I am so excited to see my dear old friends who shared some of the most amazing times one could ever have. I am sure hoping to see Herkie, Bob Shields, Gene Cason, Jeff Webb and so many others who paved the way to today's world of cheerleading. I do think that the cheerleading "world" has stagnated and that all the teams look the same. The cheerleaders are great performers but they seem to be disconnected from their crowds. I live in an area where the parents and students are just "ripe" to cheer but the cheerleaders miss out on "connecting" with their crowd. I hope that the era of grand pyramids, tumbling and programed, almost robot like follow up leads to a new era of truely spontaneous "spirit". What do you think?

[Varsity.com]

Thanks for the history! It's always exciting to see where we've come from. I think that it's tough to generalize everything, especially from the outside. I'll give you an example. Before I went to Kentucky, all I had heard about them was their impressive skills and their nationals achievements. From the outside, you would think that their focus was purely on their skills.  But when I got there, I was told in no uncertain terms about our role at the university. It was to be a support organization first and foremost. That didn't mean we had to stop at elevator to shoulders or toss chairs, but it did mean we didn't to impressive stunts at the expense of that crowd connection. We actually practiced going up into the stands. Males and females were taught how to look directly at people in the crowd in order to get them to participate. We knew there were times to do the cool entertaining pyramid, and there were also times we had better be doing nothing more than "Blue/White" signs back and forth between the students and alumni.  We learned from our advisor T. Lynn as well as from our basketball coach Rick Pitino that our job at a basketball timeout was to keep our team's momentum up and keep the crowd into the game. All that while, we were still practicing our skills, and that's what's showcased at nationals. They don't televise what the cheerleaders are doing at the games nearly enough, because there really are some good teams out there.

That being said, there are also those that don't understand that connection and their role at the school. There are coaches and teams that only see other teams for their skills or at competition and fall into the trap of trying to "outdo" their opponents cheerleaders.  Personally, I don't care if all teams "look" the same if the alternative is to look different just to look different. If it works, then it works!

It is absolutely important to cheerleading that we don't lose sight of the main job of cheerleaders - to connect with the fans and be the catalyst that builds support for the team and pride in the school and community. There's a longstanding tradition there that should be embraced and not pushed aside for the skills that can be performed.

I've had a chance to meet all but Mr. Cason, and it's amazing how things developed and continue to develop.  Thanks again for the perspective!

[MrCheerUSA]

Thanks for your response. You said it all! I have often thought of cheerleaders as "energy conductors". They take the energy of the crowd and transform it into uniform Cheers that have a specific purpose. I have also seen that the best cheerleaders "talk to their crowd" and as you said, "Look at the individuals in the crowd." Make that connection with individual fans. Great to hear another that know Herkie, Jeff and Bob! Hope to see you at 60 years of cheers in Dallas later this year!

We can never emphasize enough "connect with your crowd". Thanks for your wonderful words. I hope new cheerlearders, veterans and sponsors listen to what you have said.

[jandotcom]

I was a cheerleader for the Illini at University of Illinois in the 80's.  We have a traditional cheer, where one side of the stadium says "I-L-L!", and the other side responds "I-N-I!". 

I loved stunting, but I have to say that the coolest thing EVER was when I would start that cheer.  Eventually the ENTIRE stadium was yelling it...and I would think, "I started that."  Seventy-five thousand people were yelling a cheer that I started.

That's what its all about.

:-)

[coolcoach]

I was a college cheerleader and I agree, "connecting with the crowd" is so important.  I stress it to the girls I coach to make eye contact with people, smile, and show spirit (not just cheer robotically on the sideline).

[Kong]

One of the most impressive things I have ever seen at a sporting event (when it comes to crowd involvement) actually involved the Lion at Penn State.  He could stand in the center of the football field, point to one side of the stadium (98,000 at the time) and they would say, in unison, "WE ARE".  He would point to the other side and they would say, "PENN STATE."  One figure, a mascot, on the 50 yard line being able to get almost 100,000 people to cheer in unison.  That was AWESOME.

Great post.  I'm going to "Sticky" it to the top of this forum.  I think it's location in the "Male Cheerleaders" forum is a great place because male cheerleading is where it all started and guys, with their megaphones, have a great opportunity to get the attention of the crowd.

Kong

[MrCheerUSA]

I am a LION fan too but from El Monte, CA. I loved hearing about a LION standing all alone at mid field and leading that cheer. Made goose bumps run up and down my arms! As a bit of history, the Mascot for our High School was the MGM Lion you see roaring at the opening of an MGM movie. Gay's Lion Farm was located near El Monte High School and so they adopted the LION as their Mascot. The lion farm supplied lions for the movies in Hollywood and eventually the giant lion statue in front of the farm was moved to the High School after the Lion Farm was closed. No matter what your mascot, the simple things you do with a crowd are usually the best. I sure never thought I would be a "HOG CALLER" but when you live in Arkansas, "Calling the Hogs just becomes second nature" or else you leave the state!!!! Go Lions Soooooooooooi PIG! Go Razorbacks!!!

[Varsity.com]

I think it's location in the "Male Cheerleaders" forum is a great place because male cheerleading is where it all started and guys, with their megaphones, have a great opportunity to get the attention of the crowd.

I think Kong's going to get in trouble.

Ray, I won't be at the NCA reunion, since I'm an old UCA staffer (class of '84) but I'm sure you'll have a great time. Thanks for being part of our history!

[Stunt Double 4U]

Why would Kong get in trouble for his post; he didn't say anything but the truth?  As a coach, even I've noticed the total difference in crowd energy when there are guys on the sidelines.  I wish we could get more guys into the sport at a younger age!

[MrCheerUSA]

When I was 7 my brother was a senior in High School and it was 1961. I went to one football game and saw that they had 4 male cheerleaders and 2 girl cheerleaders. I think right then is when I decided I would be a cheerleader. I remember when I taught for the NCA and the male instructors hardly knew any of the cheers. I almost think that was why they used to teach cheers as "Mass Cheers". I remember standing on a roof top with a microphone and 15 instructors spread around teaching cheers to 700 cheerleaders in one MASS GROUP. When I became a Head Instructor I made everyone know all the parts to all the cheers and divided the camp into equal groups so each instructor taught alone. The level of learning increased unbelievably and it was a quantum leap for the cheerleading industry. I like to think because of that change, today we have more male cheerleaders than ever before because the guys really began having to do more than be show pieces that lifted the female instructors in stunts and pyramids. TV and movies also help because they have shown that is is a sport and out going men who are not afraid to be different have stepped up the plate and turned out to be some of the best cheerlearders in our nation. Guys belong in cheerleading and I applaud all that have dared to step out and be a LEADER and not just follow the status quo.