MR. CHEERLEADER - National Cheerleaders Association

Lawrence “Herkie” Herkimer
M R . C H E E R L E A D E R
T H R O U G H T H E Y E A R S . . .

v Cheerleader Supply ``
Company was founded
in 1951.
v The first contract
camps were established
at the University of
Oklahoma (1953) and the
University of Tennessee
– Martin (1958) to help
keep up with demand
for Herkie’s
cheerleading camps.
v Herkie invented the
Pom Pon and the
Spirit Stick in 1956
and 1957, respectively.
v The Megaphone,
a magazine produced
for coaches and
cheerleaders, and
exclusive to NCA,
was created. Issues were
mailed quarterly,
and ran from 1952-1982.
1950s
C A M P M E M O R I E S
Tree branch used as first Spirit Stick
Super Sonic Cheer
“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”

v NCA was in full swing,
with new contract
camp partners added in
texas (1964), kansas (1965)
and indiana (1966).
These partners,
the same individuals
in fact, remain with
NCA today.
v The “stiff arm” style of
cheerleading becomes
a basic element of the
activity, and spreads
nationwide through
use at NCA camps.
1960s
C A M P M E M O R I E S
First Pom routine performed to “Lollipop”
“Gimme The Beat”
Broadway productions during Skit Night
The popular couple:
Tommy Owens & Melaney McAffee
“GRRrrrrrr” Cheer

v Dance had always been
a part of the NCA
curriculum, but was
recognized as a
separate and official
operating division of
nca in 1976 when
NCA Superstar was born.
v Summer campers have
the opportunity to
perform worldwide
in places such as
hong kong, bangkok,
england, ireland
and hawaii.
1970s
C A M P M E M O R I E S
“Shake Your Groove Thing” • Fight Songs to “On Wisconsin”
“Are You Ready” • NCA Circus • Crazy Days • “Boogie Hello”
Mandatory “Lecture Sessions” delivered by the Head Instructor daily
Color Shout • Hand Routines • Line Dances
Coca-Cola & Spark Plug Awards • Knee-high socks for men
“Good, Better, Best” • Storybook Cheers
Talent Nights with NCA Staff productions of: “The Sound of Music,”
“Mr. Bo Jangles,” “Aquarius,” “West Side Story”

The birth of the first NCA and NDA National
Championships dominated the 1980S:
v College Nationals, SMU, January 1981 –
Hosted by Bart Conners.
v High School Nationals, Dallas
Convention Center, February 1981 –
Second High School Nationals was held
later that same year in december, where it
has remained ever since.
1980s
C A M P M E M O R I E S
NCA’s New Theme Song “We’re Leading America”
Polka Dot Zoot Suit
“Tricky-Tricky,” “Beat It,” “Vogue,” “Batman”
2 High Pyramid Restrictions for High School
Chair Routines & Bleacher Mania
“Get Ready To Get Defeated - Beat it!”
Introduction of having Regional Staff Meetings
“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”
Last decade to teach Side C, Back Arch, and Bambi Jumps
“Everybody Walk The Dinosaur” Spirit Dance
Running Pyramids to Toss Flipouts
Only 1 All-American chosen at camp
Slow Motion Staff Closings:
You are Somebody’s Idol - “Wind Beneath my Wings”
The Lights of Friendship - “The Greatest Love”
Mirror - “Out Here on My Own”
Be a Hero - “The Hero Lies in You”
Hands - “Reach Out and Touch”
Tomorrow - “Tomorrow”
v Dance Nationals, disneyland hotel in
anaheim, January 1985 – in it’s inception it
was the NCA Superstar Pom Pon/
Songleaders National Championship.
v All-Star Nationals, Dallas
Convention Center, December 1987 –
2 Divisions, Junior & Senior, were offered
at this event, compared to the 62 divisions
offered 20 years later.
v In 1986, Herkie sells Cheerleader Supply,
NCA and NCA Superstar. The companies
are grouped to form the National Spirit
Group. Herkie remains an active and
valuable advisor, and contributor to NCA.
His legacy continues through this day.

v NCA Superstar’s name is changed to
NCA Danz in 1993. In 1999, the dance
label was changed to its current
name, The National dance alliance.
v NCA staff performed in the Opening
Ceremonies of the 1996 Summer
Olympic Games in Atlanta.
1990s
C A M P M E M O R I E S
v NCA/NDA College Nationals was
first broadcast on network
television on NBC in 1996.
v By now, all NCA and NDA National
Championships are televised across
the country.
The Herkie Award & Bleacher Mania
Multiple Staffing Directors
“Rapper’s Delight,” “Boom! I Got Your Boyfriend”
“That’s The Way (I LIke It),” “Brick House”
All-American Tryouts
“Pirates...We’re Gonna Flip Your Patch”
“Gators...We’ll Make A Bag Outta You”
“Sharks...You’re FINished”
Milk Mustache Campaign
“Hey Burrito” & “Baby Shark” Spirit Chants
Titanic (NDA Team Dance), Non-Stop to the Top - Theme Music
“Control” Janet Jackson
Miss Cool Cheer
Introduction of the Camp Cheer, Stunt Cheer & Sign Cheer

v corporate sponsors become
prominent partners of
NCA/NDA and establish a
lasting and valuable presence
at camps and championships.
v NSG merges with it’s
largest competitor,
VARSITY in February 2004,
the day before its
largest All-Star National
Championship is to begin.
v More than 100,000 campers
attend NCA/NDA camps,
and more than 65,000
cheerleaders and dancers
participate in NCA/NDA
championships and
special events.
v In 2008, NCA hosted its
largest All-Star National
Championship with 456
teams and the largest
College National
Championship
with 210 teams.
C A M P M E M O R I E S
Performance Camps
Bling, Bling
NCA/NDA Primetime
Staff video becomes staff DVD
Staffing directors communicate with their staff by texting
Chick-fil-A spirit chants
“Holla Back Girl”, “Word Up” Remix”, “Die Another Day”
Apollo 13 Opening Rally
Bring It On...Bring It On Again...Bring It On All or Nothing

“ALL OF YOU
SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF
WHAT YOU ACCOMPLISHED,
AND THE MOTIVATION
YOU GAVE TO SO MANY
CHEERLEADERS AND DANCERS.”