What is All-Star Cheerleading?

All-Star Cheerleading is the Sport of Performing Cheerleading Skills.  We do not cheer for a specific team of athletes. You do not learn a bunch of “sideline cheers” and “floor cheers”. At Illinois Cheerleading Academy you are the athlete! With our experienced staff you learn from the BEST! You will learn a variety of skills from cheer motions, jumps, dance, stunding and tumbling. All-Star Cheerleading offers mutiple levels of skills, which allows us to have all ages and skill levels!

Why should I join Illinois Cheerleading Academy?

At Illinois Cheerleading Academy we are FAMILY! Our coaches for the Illinois Cheerleading Academy All-Star Cheerleading believe that our job is to offer the best technical coaching and innovative choreography possible. We teach kids how to be exceptional cheerleaders, but most importantly, we teach the kids how to be exceptional people. Focusing on teamwork, commitment and loyalty, kids learn how to encourage one another while building their own self-confidence.  We do not require try-outs. We believe everyone has a place on one of our teams.  We believe that everyone has strong points that can be used on our teams and that it is our job as coaches to find those strengths and build a team.  We work with childre in our program to push tem to their fullest potential while making it FUN at the same time.

What ages are your teams?

We start at age 4 and continue through age 18. We follow the USASF (United States All Star Federation) guidelines to ensure fun and safety. Participant’s age is based upon their age as of August 31st of each year.

How do I join?

You can download the Registration Packet to get the basic information. Just call our facility to set up an appointment to bring your child in for a FREE trial practice to see if they are interested.  Then we can guide you from there.

We didn’t know there was anything like this.  How long have you been doing this?

Illinois Cheerleading Academy opened in May of 2007 (History). Each year we develop more and more young cheerleaders. Our coaching Staff is made up of dedicated and caring people who have numerous years of coaching experience.

How many teams do you have?

For the 2009-2010 season we will have 4 - 6 teams.  As our program grows we have the ability to create multiple teams depending on age and skill level.

Will I make the team?

YES! At Illinois Cheerleading Academy we do not believe in tryouts!  If you want to experience All-Star Cheerleading we have a team for you!

What kind of commitment is required to be in your program?

While any people think All-Star Cheerleaders live at the gym that just isn’t true! Our team member’s practice 2 times a week for a total of 2 to 4 hours a week depending on the team they are on. During the school year, our team members practice on Sunday afternoons and one evening a week. This allows team members to participate in in many different school activities! During the summer months we do not practice on the weekends to give our members lots of time to do things with their families! We do have additional practices the week before a scheduled competition.  However, you will have that schedule weeks in advance.

This is a big commitment. Is it worth it?

Your child’s involvement in cheerleading at Illini Force is a big commitment.  Most Cheer Parents will tell you that apart from family life and school, Cheer becomes the most significant activity in their child’s life. In addition to the obvious physical benefits, those children who become involved in Cheer rarely accept negative influence into their lives.  They learn self-discipline, how to work together as a member of a team, how to conduct themselves with grace and courage while under pressure, and how to prioritize their lives and manage their time.  Cheerleaders are often good students with excellent time management skills! For these reasons, and many more, Cheer is an extremely rewarding and beneficial activity.

How many competitions do you attend?

We compete September through April and attend about 1 competition per month (less for our Tiny and Mini teams). We try to keep all of our competitions within a 2-3 hour driving range in order to keep the cost low. There is a chance of qualifying for a larger national out-of-state competition for some of our teams.  We make the decision to participate at those competitions with you, the parent, before we commit! View our Competition Schedule.

What is the cost to be a team member?

There is a monthy training cost and competition fees (see Teams). There is also a Routine Camp fee that covers all choreography and music costs.  We have a fantastic parent-based Booster Club that sponsors fundraisers throughout the season to help our team members fund the cost of competitions and Routine Camp. Proceeds from any fundraisers you participate in will be directly attributed to your child’s expenses. Several of our members have fundraised most of their costs!

Do I have to be able to tumble to be on a Team?

No!  Not every team member we currently have can tumble. We will work with your child to teach them what they can learn.  Tumbling is built into our program so they will be taught what they need to know to be a part of our teams.

Where is your facility and what is it like?

We are located at 215 S. Staley Road, 1/2 mile north of the stoplight at Springfield and Staley Road. We have an 8,000 sq ft facility with a regulation spring cheer floor, a 40 ft tumble track, a 20 ft rod floor, an in-ground trampoline and an in-ground foam pit. All of our team members train and progress their skills in a safe environment.  Driving Directions OR Map

Do you have any other programs other than competitive teams?

Yes! We offer a great recreational cheerleading program called “Cheer For Fun” as well.  It is a six-week program where we learn a new cheerleading skill each week and have a fun Viewing Day during the sixth week for family and friends!

Still have questions? Please contact us by clicking here.

Copyright Illinois Cheerleading Academy 2009