7. Take your sport seriously (but not too seriously). Have a true practice regimen. Encourage the entire team to lift weights, and set up a weight-training program. Bring in guest clinicians (role models who are men) from colleges or local/regional/national organizations. Expect a commitment. The more closely the guys assimilate cheerleading to the other sports they've been involved with (football, baseball, etc.), the more likely they are to stay involved.
8. LISTEN to their wants and needs. Once you get a few guys, ask them what you, as a coach or fellow team member, need to do in order to recruit more guys like them. Do you need cooler uniforms? Do you need a tougher image? Do you need to compete more, or perform at fewer games? The members hold most of the keys to success. Listen closely.
9. Remember that every waterfall starts with one drop. The biggest challenge is getting the first (and right) guy. Once you do that, each one gets easier, although it's NEVER easy. Be patient and never give up.
10. Finally, NEVER ask a guy to "try out for cheerleading." The answer will almost always be a resounding "NO!" In my experience the best way to get a guy to come to the gym is to say something like this: "I think you'd be a really good at something I'm involved with. I'm not asking for a commitment, but if I'd love to have you check out what we do for 15 minutes this Thursday night. If you hate it, I'll never ask you again. But if you like it, I'll be more than happy to do anything I can to help you learn what we do." The conversation typically strays to the word "cheerleading," but
it's important to continue to focus on the words "stunting" and "tumbling."
The phrase "lots of girls will want to date you" doesn't hurt either.
About Steve Powers: Steve began his cheerleading career at Sun Prairie HS in 1988-89 on the school's first coed squad. He went on to cheer for four years at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and served as its captain for two years. His coaching experience includes six years at Sun Prairie HS and coaching stints at UW-Madison, UW-Eau Claire, Edgewood College and Eau Claire Memorial HS.
In his "real" life, Steve is married to another SPHS cheerleading coach (Carrie) and has two dogs, Rodeo and Tally. By profession, Steve is an financial advisor for Edward Jones Investments. His other interests include fishing, camping, music, drum corps, marching band, college basketball and Green Bay Packers football. He believes cheerleading can play a vital role in young people's lives and dedicates much of his free time to continuing the proud tradition of Sun Prairie Cheerleading.
Steve Powers is the head cheerleading coach at Sun Prairie HS in Sun Prairie, WI. His teams have won many local, regional and state titles. As well, they are the five-time defending UPA national champions and UPA Grand Champions. He is proud to have 12 young men on his team this season. Steve can be contacted at [Email]sptrix@hotmail.com sptrix@hotmail.com[/link]and is happy to provide assistance to anyone wishing to develop a coed program.
