Cheers for Years

75 years of the National Cheerleaders Association

By Alex Gilbert

Founded in 1948 by Lawrence “Herkie” Herkimer, the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) quickly became a monumental institution in the cheerleading world. Herkie launched NCA, intending to help cheerleaders become well-rounded leaders. NCA continues with that mission in mind to this day.

A history-making organization, NCA was the first to host a cheer camp for athletes to develop skills such as dancing, tumbling, jumping, and stunting. Since the first cheer camp in 1948, NCA has continued to host Summer Camps for athletes to learn new skills in an optimal and safe environment.

Eventually, the organization expanded to host competitions for school and All-Star teams. In addition, many small competitions take place throughout cheerleading seasons with the hopes that their teams will qualify to move on to the national competitions.

High school cheerleading teams are known for their spirit-boosting cheers at football games, pep rallies, and the like. However, those school teams also have a competition season outside of their appearances at school events. Local and regional competitions take place around the US through the cheerleading competition season.

The culmination of the high school cheerleading season is the NCA High School Nationals, which takes place at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas in January of each year. To qualify, all teams must complete a Squad Credentialing program through Varsity Spirit/NFHS. Teams must attend an NCA Summer or Fall camp or compete at an NCA Regional or Classic Championship.

NCA High School Nationals has grown significantly over the past few years, with the 2023 event hosting 45 divisions.

The school teams combine stunts and tumbling to enhance their school crowd leading. All-Star cheerleading routines are performance based only and have more focus on intricate choreography performing on a gymnastics spring floor.

Like the high school season, the height of all-star competitions happens each year in February in Dallas for the NCA All-Star Nationals Championship. Ages for the All-Star Nationals range greatly, all the way from tiny and mini divisions all the way to open and international divisions.

NCA High School Nationals and NCA All-Star Nationals are two of the most well-regarded events the city of Dallas hosts annually. Cumulatively, the economic impact of the 2022 events was over $64M.

“ NCA is an essential part of the Dallas sports community,” said Monica Paul, Executive Director of the Dallas Sports Commission. “We are honored that they continue to partner with us year after year. It’s evident the impact that their events make, not only economically but also on the athletes’ development. We’re excited to continue seeing both national competitions’ growth through the coming years.”

"We couldn’t ask for a better partner than the City of Dallas to provide a memory-making experience for each and every athlete, coach, and parent coming to the NCA events," said Buffy Duhon, VP Business Projects & Brand Operations, VARSITY SPIRIT. "The city and the Dallas Sports Commission go out of their way to be creative and proactive as the events grow each year. We value our relationship and look forward to many years to come in the great city of Dallas. Everything is BIGGER is Texas!"

"My earliest memories of traveling for cheerleading competitions included coming to Dallas for NCA Nationals," said Justin Carrier, Vice President All Star Experience & NCA/NDA, VARSITY SPIRIT. "It’s awe-inspiring that so many years later we are able to provide the same opportunity to over 32,000 athletes across both our High School Nationals and All Star Nationals. "

Each year, athletes from around the US come together in Dallas to prove the work is worth it and to celebrate their success throughout the season. Cheerleading has developed into more than just the herkie jump, pom pom, and spirit stick. It’s an avenue for athletes to become a leader and positively impact communities.

Learn more about the NCA High School Nationals

Learn more about the NCA All-Star Nationals