A Team of One: Georgia Wins First Place at the GFL Cheer Off
After cheering with the Gwinnett Football League since kindergarten, eighth-grader Georgia found herself the only member of her squad. Determined to finish her final season, she competed alone—and took first place at the annual GFL Cheer Off!
CheerABILITIES and DanceABILITIES Teams to Compete for World Titles Beginning in 2027
The U.S. All Star Federation (USASF) announced on October 14, 2026, that CheerABILITIES and DanceABILITIES teams from the United States will officially be eligible to compete for world championship titles at The Cheerleading Worlds and The Dance Worlds beginning in April 2027.
Q&A with Natalie G. Adams on The Cheer Reader
Natalie G. Adams, editor of The Cheer Reader: Inside an American Institution, discusses the history, culture, and evolution of cheerleading, the global impact of Netflix’s Cheer, and what inspired this new collection examining one of America’s most recognizable institutions.
Varsity Spirit founder, Jeff Webb, passes at 76
The Cheer World has lost its biggest cheerleader with the passing of Varsity’s founder, Jeff Webb. Certainly, Webb has had his fair share of critics over the years, but without a doubt, cheer would not be what it is today without Jeff Webb.
When the Music Stops: Advice for Navigating Life After Cheerleading
Life after any sport is difficult but leaving cheerleading behind presents a unique set of challenges. Cheer isn’t like other sports; there’s no professional league to aspire to and for most there’s no casual adult league to join. Plus, leaving behind the glitter and bows can feel like losing a part of yourself. Here’s what I’ve learned about rediscovering who you are when the glitter settles and the crowd goes quiet.
The Panic at the NCA All-Star National Championship Never Should Have Happened
Pandemonium broke out at NCA Nationals in downtown Dallas on the afternoon of March 1st after a fight between two guests prompted an “active shooter” evacuation. While the DPD confirmed that there was no shooter, the incident has left many with questions regarding athlete safety and why panic occurred in the first place.
Formally Introducing The Cheer Professors
Here’s a peek into each cheer professor’s personal research interests as well as the first announcement of their chapters in Cheer Matters!
What We Wish "Cheer” Would’ve Done
Netflix’s ”Cheer” has brought a much-needed spotlight on the sport of cheerleading, but it fails in some ways to dive into some of the more contentious issues about cheerleading.
Netflix’s "Cheer" Challenges Stereotypes of Cheerleaders
Netflix’s “Cheer” challenges some of the most common stereotypes about cheerleaders, their parents, and their sport.