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SUPER frustrated-advice please?
I coach cheerleading. And because of gym time schedules the only option to have practice is at 6:00 am or 7:00 at night (and only one night a week).
I can't do it anymore. I'm flat out refusing. I want practice at 5:00-7:00, 2-3 days a week.
I emailed my AD and made some suggestions, dropping down the curtain in the gym that has 3 courts, finding another school that we could practice at, letting us us share a space. He replies "Oh, you can use the auditorium, but you aren't getting gym time"
He wants us to practice on a stage that I KNOW isn't big enough for us. Let alone safe for us (I would really want these girls to fall from a stunt, then hurt the entire stunt group falling OFF the stage trying to save the girl-Awesome). I emailed back and told him my concerns.
He emailed me back saying that he thinks that I don't realize how big the stage is, and the girls will be fine-I'm NOT going to get gym time for the time I want-basically ever.
I'm peeved. I figured out 3 alternatives that could work, but I feel like he doesn't want to step up and tell the other coaches that they have to share. I don't want to be "that coach" but I want to tell my cheer parents to march into his office and demand gym time. For god's sake, we were the ONLY team (besides softball) that won crap. Also, we have to share the gym with younger teams-like YMCA basketball-we don't even get precedence over something that has NOTHING to do with the high school.
For the record, I am going to practice in the auditorium, and film practice, just to prove that it's NOT an adequate practice space for stunting and tumbling.
Do you think I should ask the parents to talk to the AD. Should I give my AD a heads up that the parents won't think it's an acceptable solution and we should try to figure something out?
Re: SUPER frustrated-advice please?
My suggestion is to try it once and see what the auditorium is like. If it absolutely will not work (and just not that the gym would be better), take it higher, like to the principal or superintendent. Take all the emails with you, too. It seems a little strange that they won't let you use the gym when they allow the YMCA to, especially when it's a 3 court gym. Why can't you use the 3rd court? That may be some sort of a public relations thing, though.
I would definitely try the auditorium, though. If it does work, that would be the best solution, at least for this year, and keep the drama to a minimum.
I agree with Liz, try the auditorium, but if it doesn't work, go back and take some parents for support. It is really strange that they would let the YMCA play in the gym before they let you practice...
Is there any way you can practice outside where there isn't a risk of someone falling off of the stage?
We practice outside when it's nice out...it's when it's 30 below and snowing 90% of the season when we have issues...
I will have practice in the auditorium. Who knows, maybe it would work out perfectly...I have had individual stunt practice in there though, and it scared the bejeezus out of me.
I think I will also invite my AD to practice as well so he can see the dangers...
I dealt with the same issue when I was in HS. Cheerleading was never taken seriously, even though our team was more entertaining to watch than the football team. We constantly got moved around the school to practice- the auditorium (on the stage which was NOT SAFE at all), the cafeteria (which had low ceilings so no stunting in there) and outside in the grass (stepping on duck Sh*t and then having to throw girls in the air...not cool)
Anyway, I think you tried hard to convince your AD to let you guys practice elsewhere. Why not get the parents involved? It's their kids safety and whatnot that's on the line. Maybe if he gets enough complaints, he'll reconsider and at least attempt to find somewhere for you guys to practice. It's not fair that cheerleading gets put on the back burner, because, according to some people, it's not a REAL sport. (Grrr that always annoyed me.)
Good luck! Keep us updated.
I feel your pain. When I cheered, we were the expendable ones. Thankfully, our AD was super laid back and on great terms with my coach, so normally there was some kind of solution.
It does sound to me like your AD is just being stubborn for stubborn sake. I would go with the auditorium since you have to for a temporary solution.
Are there movable bleachers or chairs in a gym? If so, go move them, practice and move 'em back. We did that allllllll the time to give us space. I would also say don't ask if this is ok (should you be able to do this). Just do it first. If something is said, well, it's easier to apologize, rather than ask for permission.
I do hope he gives you space before someone gets hurt. We asked for practice mats for For-Ev-Er (at the time we had a concrete tile floor). No dice. It took a skull fracture to get us practice mats.
We had a teeny tiny upper balcony that we used to practice. It was the space behind bleachers that were usually put up. That was all we got, besides outside.
I definitely don't think the auditorium is a good idea. I agree with inviting AD to see the dangers, and having parents complain.
But I would take compromises where you can get them... I would jump at even the 6 am or 7 pm time slot if they will give you the 2-3 days a week...