All-Star Alcohol/drugs At Worlds

[catlady]

..... Securing insurance for a governing body also requires this policy and many others (harassment, sexual assault,etc) to be in place. This is a basic requirement for most sports.

Your comment makes the most sense, and coming off the heels of the USA Gymnastics governing body debacle and "me too," I'm sure insurance underwriters are in no tolerance mode. I would imagine any governing body that has minor athletes is going to have to have no tolerance policies going forward and the adult athletes that fall under that governing body will have to abide. The fact that the USOC is now in the revocation process concerning the USA gymnastics governing body has probably opened the eyes of all of these governing bodies.

@AshleyErin I don't think the USASF is interested in policing people, but I do believe the days of governing bodies turning a blind eye are over, and those pictures and videos won't and can't be ignored anymore. My only suggestion for the rebellious athletes and parents is call a reputable lawyer and ask all of their "what if's" before testing the waters. It's not really about "how" they are going to police it, it's more about "how expensive" this could get for them if they're caught.

 

[AshleyErin]

Your comment makes the most sense, and coming off the heels of the USA Gymnastics governing body debacle and "me too," I'm sure insurance underwriters are in no tolerance mode. I would imagine any governing body that has minor athletes is going to have to have no tolerance policies going forward and the adult athletes that fall under that governing body will have to abide. The fact that the USOC is now in the revocation process concerning the USA gymnastics governing body has probably opened the eyes of all of these governing bodies.

@AshleyErin I don't think the USASF is interested in policing people, but I do believe the days of governing bodies turning a blind eye are over, and those pictures and videos won't and can't be ignored anymore. My only suggestion for the rebellious athletes and parents is call a reputable lawyer and ask all of their "what if's" before testing the waters. It's not really about "how" they are going to police it, it's more about "how expensive" this could get for them if they're caught.

I agree - this is more about how the USASF is going to handle the policy breakers once they have evidence to lay down consequences, not about how they will catch them because we all know there will be a plethora of complaints falling into their lap like every other year, regardless of the extensive warning.

 

[Cheerfun2]

I agree - this is more about how the USASF is going to handle the policy breakers once they have evidence to lay down consequences, not about how they will catch them because we all know there will be a plethora of complaints falling into their lap like every other year, regardless of the extensive warning.

Yup! With social media and the ubiquitous cell phone....they won’t need to lift a finger to find violators. Teens/young adults are not the brightest when it comes to incriminating themselves via social media. And I can totally see some crazy-a$$ parents just dying to video & turn in athletes from other teams in their division.

 

[oncecoolcoachnowmom]

This could have already been answered but:

Does this also apply to off-property teams?

If yes, the easy loophole is "Welp we're staying at a non-Disney condo so the rules don't apply!'

 

[caffeineandglitter]

This could have already been answered but:

Does this also apply to off-property teams?

If yes, the easy loophole is "Welp we're staying at a non-Disney condo so the rules don't apply!'

Yes. The exact language is "Under the influence of drugs or alcohol at any venue at any time during the event from arrival to departure on Tuesday." (page 15 at this link)

This language also appeared in the rules last year (2018 rules, page 15 again)

In 2017, the rule said it applied "at any of the venues." (2017 rules, page 15 again)

So at some point between 2017 and 2018 the rules changed to assess penalties for drug and alcohol use at the venues to assessing the penalty for drug and alcohol use at any time during Worlds.

 

[UCFKnights07]

It is what it is. I dont agree with the smoking rule, and im 50/50 on the drinking rule for of age adults who are done competing.
i get the big push for it is because they desperately want to align themselves to professional and Olympic sports, but even those athletes probably (and some do) drink and smoke, before, during and after.

ill be curious to see how they plan on truly enforcing it on all the off disney property sites though.

Also curious to see if they do bring down the hammer on teams and strip them of wins, etc. to see how much of the cheer business decides to no longer stay on disney property to avoid such hovering.

 

[SL&AM]

I have little faith in their ability to police this policy with effectiveness and fairness.

We're talking about the same group of people who didn't understand what humidity is and allowed 20 teams of athletes to compete their stunts and tumbling on what equaled a Slip n' Slide.

What I am absolutely sure of though, is the Susie's Moms of the world ready to pounce and record if they get even a whiff of smoke or the tinge of alcohol so that their team can get the edge.

If prior years behavior is anything to go, I'd be expecting to see at least 50% of the teams attending get disqualified. If the number is much smaller, I'll know it wasn't policed effectively or across the board.

The teenage/young adult brain doesn't actually stop growing until roughly 25; expecting them to adhere to such a harsh policy in such a short time span is unrealistic and naive. I get why the push---these issues didn't just happen overnight, but like any other major shift it's going to take time and examples. We'll see how many examples they feel like making if it only takes 1 athlete on the team to affect everyone else.

 

[ChicagoCheerDad]

So this is an interesting one, I believe the policy effects all attendees(parents included) who are associated with a gym. I believe @ACEDAD hinted that on twitter.

 

[OnceUponACheerleader]

I just don't understand why there was ever a need for the governing body to make a policy in the first place. Gyms - Control your athletes with your own policies. Gyms - Create policies that are reflective of your business & brand. Parents & adult athletes - Act like an adult...

Like mentioned - olympic athletes still celebrate & enjoy, cheer athletes should be allowed to do the same. But the problem is no one is taking responsibility for themselves & treating the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS like a highschool or sorority party. Rewind and make the event exclusive & for the best of the best - for people who deserve to compete for a world title - and it might be taken more seriously? (maybe?)...

Anyways...

 

[quietmom]

Owners, Coaches And Athletes. Whose Accountable?! | Fierce Board - The Voice Of Cheer

Stuff like this is why we can't have nice things. Did it happen at worlds? No. But it is just one brick in the wall. And the reputation cheer has at Disney is also part of the problem. Parents shouldn't be drinking at Worlds either. We can do better. I would not be surprised to see this passed down to the Summit and other competitions.

 

[cheermomforever]

So this is an interesting one, I believe the policy effects all attendees(parents included) who are associated with a gym. I believe @ACEDAD hinted that on twitter.

But guaranteed the beer trucks will be outside! Can’t tell parents they can’t have a beer!

 

[ChicagoCheerDad]

But guaranteed the beer rucks will be outside! Can’t tell parents they can’t have a beer!

everyone is assuming Disney asked for this. If I was Disney Parks I would not be happy about this. Alcohol is one of the most profitable items they sell, and this will significantly effect alcohol sales at the parks, restaurant and more to the point the hotel bars and gift shops(you can by bottles of beer, wine and hard alcohol at the All Star gift shops.)

 

[ACEDAD]

I anticipate it being yet another pronouncement without any significant enforcement.

 

[Cheerfun2]

Wait....no beer garden??? PARENTS can’t have a drink at Worlds?!?!? WTF?? Why can’t a legal parent, who is NOT competing, have a beer?? That’s how I relax a bit before they go on. WTF?!

 

[CLynn]

Wait....no beer garden??? PARENTS can’t have a drink at Worlds?!?!? WTF?? Why can’t a legal parent, who is NOT competing, have a beer?? That’s how I relax a bit before they go on. WTF?!

I will be very surprised if that part happens, I really will. I understand the athlete policy to an extent: largely these athletes are minors and the activities are therefore illegal. I suspect those athletes who are of age are perhaps (maybe? hopefully?) smart enough to put the phone down, shut the door and have a drink with a buddy in private. I also understand chaperones having restrictions. But parents, adults who most likely ubered or took a shuttle to the event? Not feeling that at all. If I am wearing gym apparel I fully understand that I am representing the organization and would never want to be an embarrassment but that is probably more effectively judged by the program vs. USASF.