All-Star Majors 12-13

[laughAlittle]

im still bitter over the Majors fiasco and I was not even a participant :rolleyes:

 

[coachbd]

Hahaha oh maaan that video was PAINFUL!

 

[purpleblue&white]

Having this on Friday night this year will eliminate alot of ticket purchases. How will gyms get their practie times in and allow time for kids to go? Not to mention it ended late last year, staying up til one AM may not be a great idea to be ready for Day 1 performances.

 

[callmecoach]

Although the video was pretty bad (the awkward stares at each other waiting for the phone to ring?!) I do hope the Majors can redeem itself after the fiasco of last year. I really like the premise of "the best of the best" being invited and hope they they will continue to expand by adding more divisions and inviting new up and coming teams in addition to the usual big names. IMO, The Majors has the potential to be the pre-Worlds "who's who?" event of the cheerleading world.

 

[AScheer]

I really like the premise of "the best of the best" being invited and hope they they will continue to expand by adding more divisions and inviting new up and coming teams in addition to the usual big names.

Isn't that one of the issues some people have with worlds now. It started as the best of the best, invitation only too. Like you said they kept adding divisions and inviting more teams making it what it is now. Im not saying that teams that go to worlds aren't the best of the best, but really should ALL of them be there? The thing I originally loved about worlds was how exclusive it was. I hope the majors keeps that exclusivity.

 

[callmecoach]

Isn't that one of the issues some people have with worlds now. It started as the best of the best, invitation only too. Like you said they kept adding divisions and inviting more teams making it what it is now. Im not saying that teams that go to worlds aren't the best of the best, but really should ALL of them be there? The thing I originally loved about worlds was how exclusive it was. I hope the majors keeps that exclusivity.

I agree. I probably should have added to my post that the Majors could become the "who's who?" event of all-star cheerleading if Jam can continue execute their idea successfully. While winning Worlds is the ultimate sought-after title for most teams, I think you are right in saying that with the elimination of the invite-only element the standard has been lowered. Despite the fact that all of the big names and best talent are present, there are also tons of other teams there that might be from great programs but just aren't at the same level as the ones who take the medals each year. At this point it will only continue to snowball as money runs this sport and that's just the way it is.

Basically, I like that the Majors has the chance to be the exclusive event everyone wants to be and strives to be invited to. I think with the right mindset they can continue to expand the event to include other divisions and lesser-known programs while keeping the standard of talent needed for an invite just as high.

 

[GDaddyLS]

Isn't that one of the issues some people have with worlds now. It started as the best of the best, invitation only too. Like you said they kept adding divisions and inviting more teams making it what it is now. Im not saying that teams that go to worlds aren't the best of the best, but really should ALL of them be there? The thing I originally loved about worlds was how exclusive it was. I hope the majors keeps that exclusivity.

I think the difference between the two is now (rarely if ever) do teams "turn down" the invitation or bid to go to Worlds where as with the Majors (obviously only in its 2nd year of existence) you have programs the industry considers "the best of the best" that turn it down. I guess I don't consider something "exclusive" if its by invitation only and some of the responses are "NO". It gives me the impression that some of the programs that do end up attending are not the 1st choice. Just my opinion...

 

[AndrewSky]

What would be an awesome idea is if the winners of the divisions at the major received a full paid bid. Only the winners. If the winner has a full paid already, the company could give it back to super nationals.

 

[nateairnj]

Not only was it awkward I have a feeling it was staged. I'm betting they had already invited and talked to them all and this was just a secondary fake call for the cameras.

I totally had to be staged simply for the fact that when they called California All-Stars they invited them to the Majors...didn't say what team, and last I recall - they have a BOMB Small Senior and an Amazing Large Coed, as well as a World Champion Small Coed team!

 

[callmecoach]

I think the difference between the two is now (rarely if ever) do teams "turn down" the invitation or bid to go to Worlds where as with the Majors (obviously only in its 2nd year of existence) you have programs the industry considers "the best of the best" that turn it down. I guess I don't consider something "exclusive" if its by invitation only and some of the responses are "NO". It gives me the impression that some of the programs that do end up attending are not the 1st choice. Just my opinion...

True. Part of that could be due to the prize-package disaster last year. They have some making up to do there. Another part of it, like you said, is that this is only their second year in existence.

Developing the Majors into something no team would ever want to turn down and maintaining the event's prestige and exclusivity will be a challenge for Jam Brands that they'll have to recognize and deliberately address. I sincerely hope that they will figure it out, though, and not resort to inviting second and third choices hence allowing the pretense of "best of the best" to become another empty phrase that is laughed at in the industry ("nationals" anyone?).

 

[nateairnj]

Going along with that - look at the humble start of the Worlds. It was NOTHING like we know it as today. They just had 2 divisions - All Girl and Senior, and there were many powerhouse teams that didn't "know" what the event was going to become and turned down their bid!

 

[Mom Jeans]

I totally had to be staged simply for the fact that when they called California All-Stars they invited them to the Majors...didn't say what team, and last I recall - they have a BOMB Small Senior and an Amazing Large Coed, as well as a World Champion Small Coed team!

and CaliSmoed was already planning on going to Jamfest Indy, which I dont think they have ever done, Cali doesnt even go to local Jamfest comps...so when the schedule came out, everyone knew they were going to the Majors.....oops

 

[Hi-Phlyer21]

My biggest thing with the majors last year, as a spectator, was that the event was WAY over sold. The staff is barking at people all night to find a seat find a seat when there are literally no seats left for anyone. Unless you "sneak" into the "VIP" area in front of the stage. Some might draw a parallel between that and worlds but the difference is that this is a closed venue, while the worlds venue is not just where the WCASC is being held. So it's not as if they are unaware of how many seats they have filled in relation tithe amount of tickets sold. That and the event ran so long last year with having to watch a second version of the "preparing for the majors" video of each team, talking to the coaches, AND introducing each team member.
We were there so long I literally forgot about some teams that had yet to perform; teams that I LOVE, because I was just so ready to get out of there.
Overall I think it had to have been a food experience. The athletes got to compete against each other much earlier in the season to size up the competition. Conceptually it is a good idea. But as soon as performances were done we were outta there.
Extremely bitter-sweet. Talking about it later; I got to see some of my favorite teams early on in the season. But left feeling like I just wasted several hours of my life. That I probably won't be doing again.
That said, understanding that this event is about recognizing these tremendous athletes, a little more attention needs to be given to the spectators. After all what would happen if these teams came all that way to perform for no one? They just flew to Indy to practice in front of some judges and Jamfest makes what kind of profit..
It's got a lot of potential to be something big, but they will have a lot of work ahead of them to get there. But it is only the second year so who knows..

 

[yojaehs]

Majors last year was just LONG. A bit drawn out but I kind of expected it bc it was a "new" experience. I know they sold a certain amount of tickets and then sold more. I felt like there was plenty of seating I just don't think the "arena police" were prepared for a "cheer" crowd. I was MOST disappointed in the "prize" fiasco. I've heard from coaches that their athletes thought it was super cool but the coordination btw EP and coaches needs work. I'm hoping this year will be better!

 

[mstealtoyou]

From a parent stand point I loved the Major's. My CP loved the Major's. I loved the "Banquet". I loved seeing the videos of the teams and introduction of the teams. It's very cool to hear your child's name called, as she/he takes the floor. The fact that her team won the Major's might have something to do with how much we loved it though and I'm willing to consider that.

I'm glad they are competing on Friday this year because we had a terrible seat due to the fact that we couldn't line up to get in the Major's venue with the general population because some of our other teams were competing in the main halls during that time. So, by the time we got over there the choice of seats was limited. (Not Jambrand's fault) I learned last year that I definitely want to be in the VIP section and will buy my ticket's this year as soon as they go on sale. I clearly underestimated the amount of people who would be willing to pay to see our kids compete against each other. (Again not Jambrands fault) I also learned that I need to do my research as to the "prizes" that will be awarded anytime my kid competes.

My suggestions to JamBrands for this year is to load in Parents and possibly kids from the program into the area in front of the stage. It is NOT fun to watch a routine sitting down. (Maybe this is just me. I can't sit down while our teams are on) Maybe call it "Priority" or something since they already use the term VIP. I would also suggest somewhere for parents to have more direct access to their kid immediately after awards. It took forever to figure out how to get to my kid to celebrate with her and her friends!!! (Maybe those in VIP didn't have this issue and I could have saved myself the aggravation by buying those tickets)

All in all I agree with BlueCat that the positives outweigh the negatives and I'm excited that CEA will be there again this year!!! See you in Indy!!!