THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 17, 1996 TAG: 9605150138
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: THUMBS UP
SOURCE: BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
Cheerleading is both a big business and a small family at Indian River High School.
Linda D. Laumann is CEO and mom.
In her 19 years of coaching cheerleading there, the 41-year-old Laumann has shepherded hundreds of girls through an athletic world of teamwork, school spirit and increasingly complex and physical stunts.
Laumann, who also teaches child care in a classroom decorated with photos of past cheerleading squads, was recently chosen as one of 13 finalists for the 1996 National Cheerleading Coach of the Year, selected from 418 candidates by a group of college coaches and cheerleading experts. The winner will be announced this weekend at a conference in Fayetteville, N.C.
The coach said the secret of her success has been in treating the cheerleaders as professionals.
``They know what's expected of them,'' said Laumann. ``There's a definite point system we follow, and they know the consequences.''
While she readily admits that she runs a tight ship, Laumann said her program isn't built on punishment.
``It's definitely a merit system here,'' she said. ``They get credit for making the honor roll. They get credit for being involved in extra activities.''
Laumann's involvement with cheerleading began when she was a junior at Hampton High School. That year, after living in the Philippines for three years while her father, an Air Force colonel, was stationed there, Laumann was in a new town and a new school. To help smooth her transition, she began cheerleading.
``It was a real culture shock when we moved back to the States,'' said Laumann. ``Cheerleading helped me fit better into the scene. It allowed me to be in a leadership position.''
After earning her teaching degree at Longwood College in Farmville, Laumann began teaching at Indian River and was soon asked to coach the squad. Two decades ago, cheerleading was a different world.
``It was more of a popularity game then,'' said Laumann. ``It's much more of a sport now. These girls run, they lift weights. The conditioning program is almost as important as the cheers.''
As coach, Laumann is responsible for the safety of the girls. And these days, she said, safety is more of an issue.
Laumann said the change in cheerleading began about seven years ago. Routines became more complex. Squads began stacking cheerleaders higher and higher into the air, though Laumann said Indian Rivers' programs never exceeded the current guidelines.
Two years ago, in the wake of concern over the evolution of the sport, the Virginia High School League tightened the rules governing what cheerleaders were allowed to perform. Small trampolines, used to give leaping cheerleaders extra boost, were banned. Pyramids that would sometimes grow three people high were limited to two.
Though rules tightened, cheerleading continued to grow as a physical challenge. To keep up with change, Laumann beefed up her program's emphasis on physical training. They practice routines three days a week and they hit the weights each Tuesday.
Most of all, said Laumann, they are encouraged to be active members of the school community. They are expected to have poise even when they aren't performing.
The girls trying out for next year's squad are getting a taste of what their coach expects.
After school, the cheerleaders fill Indian River's auditorium. Divided into rows, they follow moves led by the squad's two captains, Christen E. Farmer, 18, and Chrischa A. Ives, 17. Sometimes they practice with props. Sometimes they break into squads and practice lifts or spotting.
Through it all, Laumann maintains a constant watch, correcting some on hand positioning, explaining the details to others.
``She works us really hard,'' said Sagay L. Johnson, 17, who has been on the squad for a year. ``She wants us to be our best.''
Melisa A. Odom, a 16-year-old junior, who has been on the varsity squad one year and cheering for seven years, said, ``A lot of coaches look at crazy stuff like looks. Ms. Laumann believes if you're cheering you're an athlete. It's a sport. You have to be in shape.''
Tara E. Rice, 14, is trying out for the Indian River squad for the first time and getting a good workout in the process. ``She gets you in shape,'' said Rice.
The hopefuls have been training since April, though the final tryout for the 1996-97 squad will not take place until May 22. One of the tests for prospective cheerleaders doesn't involve cheering, just people skills.
Cheerleading candidates waitress at the school's honor banquet. It's a test of how they will act in public, said the coach.
``It's amazing what you can learn about a girl by seeing how she handles people,'' said Laumann. ``I want these girls to grow into adults that can handle any situation.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
Linda D. Laumann has coached cheerleading at Indian River High
School for 19 years.
by CNB