Life After Cheer: Ways to Stay Involved in the Sport

For most athletes, after college or even high school, the days of cheerleading are over in the blink of an eye. It’s not because they stopped loving the sport. They simply graduate, age out, or move on to a new chapter of life. After being part of something for so many years, it's normal to feel a little lost or wonder what's next. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. There are so many ways to keep cheerleading a part of your life without being an athlete yourself. Whether you want to coach, judge, work behind the scenes, choreograph, or just stay connected to the community, there are plenty of opportunities to stay involved long after your competitive career ends.

Coaching

Coaching is one of the most common ways former athletes stay involved in cheerleading. Whether it's all star, school, rec, youth, or even private lessons, there are opportunities to coach athletes at every level of the sport. Many former athletes choose to coach because they still love cheerleading and want to share what they've learned with the next generation. Having recently been in their athletes' shoes, they understand what it feels like to learn new skills, overcome setbacks, and prepare for competition. That perspective allows them to connect with athletes in a unique way while helping them grow both on and off the mat. Coaching also keeps you connected to the sport. You'll continue learning alongside your athletes, stay up to date on trends and rule changes, and remain part of the community long after your own competitive career ends.

Judging

If you're looking for a lower time commitment while still staying involved in cheerleading, judging might be the perfect fit. It gives you the opportunity to stay connected to the sport while gaining a deeper understanding of rules, scoresheets, and what separates good routines from great ones. For those who enjoy evaluating performances, judging can also open doors to higher-level events as you gain experience. Former athletes bring valuable perspective to the judges' table. Having recently competed themselves, they understand the work that goes into preparing for a performance and can evaluate routines with both technical knowledge and empathy. That firsthand experience can help create fair, informed scoring while bringing another important perspective to a judging panel.

Working Behind the Scenes

Not every career in cheerleading happens on the competition floor. Behind every event, there are photographers, videographers, music producers, social media managers, event staff, and employees at cheer companies and governing bodies working to keep the sport moving forward. Working behind the scenes gives former athletes the chance to experience cheerleading from a completely different perspective while still staying connected to the community. It's a great way to turn your passion for the sport into a full-time career while continuing to work with athletes, coaches, and event organizers. Many people don't realize just how much work goes into a single competition. Event planning often begins months, sometimes nearly a year, in advance, with countless people working behind the scenes to make every event possible. Whether you're creating content, organizing competitions, or helping shape the future of the sport, there are plenty of opportunities to stay involved without stepping back on the mat.

Choreography

Choreography is a great option for former athletes who want to stay involved while putting their creativity and experience to work. Many athletes know exactly what makes a choreography session productive because they've been through so many themselves. They understand how to build routines that play to a team's strengths, maximize the scoresheet, and create an enjoyable experience for the athletes. Compared to coaching, choreography offers more flexibility and creative freedom. Choreographers often have the opportunity to work with a variety of teams, choose projects that fit their strengths, and even travel throughout the season. Anyone can become a choreographer. Many start by helping their former high school, all star gym, or local rec program before expanding through word of mouth. The cheerleading community is closely connected, and consistently producing quality work can help build your reputation and open doors to new opportunities.

As an athlete, your time on the mat will eventually come to an end, but your involvement in the industry doesn't have to. There are countless ways to continue contributing to the sport, whether that's through coaching, judging, choreography, working behind the scenes, or even creating a niche of your own. If you're creative, motivated, and willing to put yourself out there, there are opportunities to turn your passion for cheerleading into something much bigger than competing.

No matter how you choose to stay involved, having a genuine love for the sport and its future will take you far. Your role in cheerleading may look different, but it doesn't have to end when you step off the mat.