Middle School Cheerleading Sponsor

FLSA classification: Not applicable. Paid via stipend outside of contracted hours.

About the Role

The Middle School Cheerleader Sponsor promotes an appreciation for teamwork, sportsmanship, and excellence. The Sponsor sets an exemplary example and provides leadership and supervision for the team and individuals, responsible for choreography, teaching cheer routines, and ensuring the safety of all participants through knowledge and skill in tumbling and stunting. The role involves working with teenagers to lead them to success while maintaining professionalism, organization, and dedication.

Responsibilities

• Meet State and District requirements as an athletic coach, including compliance with IHSAA and District safety requirements.
• Design and implement practices and events, including assessing skills, teaching, and assigning roles to cheerleaders.
• Communicate all schedules with school, squad, and caregivers.
• Develop practice schedules and organize practices for individual and team development; coordinate with Athletic Director/Designee for facility scheduling.
• Establish and maintain standards of student athlete behavior and provide proper supervision at all times.
• Monitor academic performance of squad members to ensure eligibility requirements.
• Model sportsman-like behavior and maintain appropriate professional conduct as a positive role model.
• Follow established procedures for uniforms and equipment; assist with ordering within a determined budget.
• Observe cheerleaders during events and practices to determine needs for improvement.
• Enforce squad expectations regarding tardiness, missed practices/games, unsportsmanlike conduct, or exemplary student-athlete behavior.
• Organize meetings for future squad prospects and encourage student participation.
• Hold tryouts or conduct auditions to select squad members.
• Attend cheerleading camp with the team each summer and/or provide summer enrichment.
• Encourage participation in pep rallies to build school morale and spirit.
• Seek approval for and supervise all fundraising to supplement funds for travel, camps, uniforms, and supplies.
• Maintain general upkeep, inventory, and protection of equipment and facilities.
• Maintain ongoing communication with Athletic Director/Designee regarding program developments.
• Assist with oversight of safety conditions of facilities and report unsafe conditions promptly.
• Facilitate long-term program success by building positive relationships with local athletics organizations, K-12 sports programs, media, booster groups, and community members.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and adherence to District, league, and IHSAA policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Comply with practice and competition schedules, including holidays, weekends, and off-season commitments.
• Ensure squad financial obligations are met by actively communicating with athletes and parents.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Athletic Director and/or Varsity Cheerleading Sponsor.

Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must have a valid Indiana Driver’s License and proof of insurance.
• Must be up to date with all certifications required for the sport as mandated by the District and the State of Indiana.
• Recognize that the purpose of athletics is to promote the physical, mental, moral, and emotional well-being of individual athletes.
• Ability to perform essential functions and fulfill physical, sensory, and environmental job requirements (with or without reasonable accommodations).

Qualifications

• Ideal candidates will have experience coaching and/or performing within a high-performing cheer program or organization.
• Any teacher or non-certified employee of the District may express interest in this extracurricular assignment.
• Preferred experience as a coach, player, or participant in the assigned role.

Pay

Paid via stipend during the season according to the “Extra Duties” salary schedule. Lay Coaches (non-certified employees used only in the Athletic Program) are paid via stipend and are not eligible for benefits.

Schedule

School year, with hours varying outside of contracted school day. Includes practices after academic classes, school football and basketball games, and other school spirit activities. Requires commitment to practice and competition schedules, including holidays, weekends, and off-season.

Physical & Environmental Demands

• Physical Requirements: Involves a high degree of organization and physical activity, including walking, running, jumping, standing, sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling objects up to 50 pounds. Some tasks may require heavy lifting or manual labor.
• Sensory Requirements: Ability to communicate verbally in person and via telephone. Knowledge to direct appropriate physical conditioning and training for student-athletes.
• Environmental Factors: Regular exposure to adverse conditions such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature extremes, and noise. Minimal exposure to machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, animals/wildlife, toxic agents, disease, or pathogenic substances.