PR2016 Sep 15 CHEER

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 15, 2016

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Media and Communication, 205.391.2959

mediacom@sheltonstate.edu

SHELTON STATE CHEER COACH SPEAKS AT

VARSITY COACHES CONFERENCE IN BERLIN, GERMANY

Tuscaloosa, Alabama – Christa Grizzle Sanford, cheer coach at Shelton State Community College, was a featured speaker at the Varsity Coaches Conference in Berlin, Germany, September 9-11. The conference was designed for European cheer coaches and provided information on cheer skills as well as team management and development.

Sanford, now in her eleventh year at Shelton State, was invited to participate by Varsity Europe and the European Cheer Union. During her five conference sessions, she provided insight on talent development, client management, sports psychology, flexibility, and routine creation.

“It was incredibly humbling to be in the company of the other American coaches featured during the conference and to see the admiration the European cheerleaders have for our programs,” said Sanford. “Cheerleading originated in the United States, and it is exciting to be able to help them establish and grow their own clubs.”

Although European cheer organizations are not currently part of schools or colleges, the conference speakers represented some of the most successful college programs in the United States. “It was a huge honor for Shelton State Community College’s program to be in the same conversation with the University of Alabama, the University of Kentucky, and Morehead State,” said Sanford. “Although we are certainly a smaller school, I am proud for us to be included with these elite programs.”

Originally from Worthington, Kentucky, Sanford began her career as a cheerleader at Morehead State University where she was a member of three national championship teams and coached two national championship teams. She coached two Team USA world championship teams, and her Shelton State Cheerleaders recently won their ninth consecutive national title. In addition to coaching at Shelton State, Sanford is currently a Team USA coach and owns ACE of Tuscaloosa training center.

For more information about Shelton State athletics, visit sheltonstate.edu.

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