When Andy Quattrochi, Brandon Calloway and Cole Chadwick saw an opportunity to go from being cheerleading coaches to being gym owners, the decision was an easy one.
Around two months ago, the trio acquired Rah Spirit, a full-service cheerleading coaching gym operating in Chattanooga since 2010. The new owners have officially rebranded under the name Cheer Extreme, joining the brand's regional network of nine other locations in North Carolina and Virginia. Doing so, they said, will inject more resources and opportunities into cheerleading in the Chattanooga area from their location at 501 Cumberland St. in Bushtown.
Quattrochi, Calloway and Chadwick have a combined 40 years of experience in cheerleading and coaching the sport. Their classes are twofold: Cheer Extreme will work with local school programs to instruct and train cheerleaders of all levels, and the gym will also host its own team, Cheer Extreme Allstars. The Allstars could feature numerous teams of various skill levels and ages depending on how many kids sign up.
"We want to revitalize the sport locally, and we're excited at what we can bring to the area with Cheer Extreme," Quattrochi said.
Tryout Info
May 24: Dance clinic to learn the tryout dance (5:30-7 p.m. for ages 12 and under, 7-8:30 p.m. for ages 13 and up)May 26: Tryouts for ages 11 and under from 5:30-8:30 p.m.May 27: Tryouts for ages 12 and up from 3-6 p.m.June 3: Stunt evalutions (level 1-3 from 2-3:30 p.m., level 4-5 from 3:30-5 p.m.)Tryouts fee: $90
Quattrochi has been involved in area cheerleading for over 20 years. He cheered for one year during his high school senior year, and fell in love with the sport. He was a manager for Rah Spirit and United Cheerleading in the past, and the jump to owner is a small one, he said.
"Even after 20 years, I'm still looking forward to learning new drills and techniques for how to run a practice," he said. "We've sort of been in our own little bubble here locally, so having an outside source of information and education will help us grow."
Tryouts for Cheer Extreme's Allstars program are being held Friday and Saturday, May 26 and 27, with further evaluations the following Saturday. Kids who make the cut will have the opportunity to travel throughout the Southeast over the summer to compete against other amateur teams in their age group and skill level.
The tryouts cost $90.
Jan Johnson, a Cheer Extreme employee who is helping the trio with their Allstars team behind the scenes, said everyone is excited for how the sport can grow in Chattanooga.
"I cheered years ago, and I worked with my daughter who cheered her whole life," said Johnson. "After 15 years with the Allstars program, I know we can bring something good to the table."
For more information about Cheer Extreme or its Allstars program, call 509-2779 or visit facebook.com/CEAChattanooga.