FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2008


Competitive cheerleading championships head to Tallahassee in 2009, 2010

GAINESVILLE – The 2009 and 2010 FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading Championships will be held at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic, the FHSAA office announced today. The Tallahassee Sports Council and Leon County Schools will serve as hosts for the event.

The dates for the event are March 13-14, 2009, and March 12-13, 2010.

"I am pleased to announce that the FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading Championships will be held in Tallahassee for the next two years," said FHSAA Executive Director John A. Stewart. "The Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center is the perfect facility in which to stage this event and, if history is any indication, the Tallahassee Sports Council and Leon County Schools will be outstanding hosts. We are certain the event will be a big success there."

The Tallahassee Sports Council and Leon County Schools have previously served as co-hosts for the FHSAA Football Finals state championship games, as well as the FHSAA Soccer Finals in both girls and boys divisions.

"The Tallahassee Sports Council, a division of the Tallahassee Area CVB, is excited to have the opportunity to host the FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading Championships for the next two years," said Brian Hickey, Executive Director of the Tallahassee Sports Council. "These types of events help our local community grow and Leon County can anticipate and economic impact of nearly 2 million dollars generated from the anticipated 5,000 visitors. The positive working relationship between Leon County Schools and the Leon County Tourist Development Council makes these types of events and future events possible."

"Leon County Schools is delighted to partner with the Tallahassee Sports Council to host the FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading Championships," said Leon County Superintendent of Schools Jackie Pons. "Cheerleading is an extremely athletic and competitive sport.  With 250 teams converging on the Leon County Civic Center, we can look forward to an outstanding two days of enthusiasm and excitement the whole family can enjoy."

The inaugural competitive cheerleading championships were held this past March at FAU Arena in Boca Raton. More than 190 schools entered squads in the two-day competition in which state champions were crowned in seven divisions.

About the FHSAA
The Florida High School Athletic Association is the governing body for interscholastic athletics in Florida.  It has a membership of more than 700 middle and senior high schools, and sponsors postseason competitions to determine the official state high school champions in 30 different sports.

Contacts:
Cristina Alvarez
Director of Media Relations & Marketing, FHSAA
(352) 372-9551 ext. 190
calvarez@fhsaa.org

#   #   #