 It’s not shocking when CheerProject decided to feature Brad Habermel as the site’s launching key player. His industry credentials boasts three collegiate national championships at the University of Louisville in the mid-90s but his cheerleading career since then has been far from boring. Since his college days, the dynamic trio of Brad, Jodi and Angela has created a powerhouse everyone knows as Cheer Athletics.
Cheer Athletics houses the most world championship medals of any other program of its kind (9 World Championship Gold, 5 Silver and a Bronze) and that in itself as it is a true testament of Brad’s leadership as the director of team programs and coaching staff. With 17 teams in the2009-10 season, The Cheer Athletics program is proud to add a special needs team to their program and Brad is very excited about the opportunities this program will give these athletes. But with all of this success, Brad mentions, “I feel lucky to have had lots of ‘I finally did it’ moments. Cheering at U of L and rising to the top (when I definitely started at the bottom) and winning at U of L, coaching my first National Championship squad, choreographing my first winning routine, winning Worlds…the list goes on. I don’t take anything for granted. I savor each one of those moments and many more as amazing moments.”
Alongside the medals, trophies and awards, Brad knows that winning isn’t everything. He believes that this single most important thing they can teach a cheerleader is self-worth. “I think if an individual truly believes in him/herself that everything else falls in line. Respect, discipline, teamwork, dedication, determination, winning and losing with class and dignity- all of those things fall in line when you are genuinely happy and content with yourself.”
As Brad continues to shock the world with amazing innovative choreography, and we can’t wait to see what he will do next. Once he does, Cheer Project will be there every step of the way!
CheerProject’ s Q & A with Brad
Q: What are your predictions for the state of the cheerleading industry in 10 years?
A: I think the trends will be to make the routines more of a performance instead of skill-based. I think the skill level of athletes will continue at a younger age. I think gyms who will still be around in ten years will be the ones who taught life lessons, not just cheerleading.
Q: What other job would you like to do if you weren’t in the cheerleading industry?
A: I think I would like to be a reporter of talk show host. I love people, I love to talk, and I love interesting stories so I think either of those would be a good match
Q: What is one thing you want to do but haven’t yet?
A: I want to be a dad at some point. I love kids and I think I’d be a pretty cool dad.
Q: If you could cast someone to play you in a movie who would you pick?
A: Well, I’d love to say someone hot, but I think that would be a stretch, so I guess I would pick myself. What the heck, I’d give acting a shot. Hopefully, I’d be believable as myself.
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