Mission
The mission of the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association (ICCA) shall be to serve the needs of Illinois’ cheerleading coaches and their teams through an emphasis on the highest standards of professionalism, sportsmanship and safety.
ICCA History
In 1981, Pam Dorner-Saxhaug started to research how to establish a state coaches association for Illinois. She wanted to establish an organization for the betterment of Illinois cheerleading, and provide a valuable resource of knowledge and leadership skills for coaches. For over a year, she made contacts with various other state associations to gather as much information as possible.
In 1982, seven women met at Glenbard East High School to establish the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association. These seven women donated their own funds to get ICCA started.
Officers were immediately selected, and a constitution and bylaws were drafted. The state was to be divided into three sections: Northern, Central and Southern. ICCA would take three years to fully establish themselves, adding one region a year.
ICCA has always been a not-for-profit organization and has never aligned itself with any school. In September 1982, ICCA introduced the first coaches clinic, which was held in Berwyn. Forty schools were in attendance. The first newsletter was introduced shortly thereafter.
At the end of the third year, the entire state would be encompassed and the first state competition was held at University High School in Normal. A student from Morton High School designed the first logo. That logo was updated in 2012 and the colors black and white were chosen to represent the absence of all colors. This was done in order to avoid any affiliation with a particular school. Later, red was added to be an accent color.
In 1983, the first Spring Clinic was held in Buffalo Grove. With two successful clinics, and membership growing, competitions were added. In the fall of 1983, two competitions were held with 70 squads competing from 32 schools.
Between November of 1984 and February of 1985, there were six regional competitions held. In February of 1985, ICCA held their first State Championship at University High School in Normal.
The first contest had three divisions: Varsity, Junior High/Freshman, and Junior Varsity. Over 70 teams competed at this first contest. The next year more regionals were added and the second state contest was moved to Braden Auditorium on the campus of Illinois State University.
This was also the year ICCA awarded the first winners of the ICCA Scholarship program. The five finalists received $500 each. Soon after, an All-Star program was added.
In 1990, the first All-Star team was selected based on video taped auditions sent to ICCA. As the program grew, two teams were selected, one representing the North and one representing the South.
These teams practiced in the off season and performed at the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Game. This was a precursor to the current ICCA All-State team.
Today, the All-State Cheer team is chosen by submitting a video and is judged on each athlete’s cheerleading skills by IHSA licensed officials. Athletes who are Juniors or Seniors can apply. They no longer cheer at the IBCA basketball game but are introduced and participate in activities during the Championship weekend.
In 2000, the Sportsmanship Award was developed to recognize those teams who demonstrated respect for others with a positive attitude. Schools that exemplify positive support for other teams were nominated.
In 2002, ICCA began recognizing coaches by adding the Coach of the Year award. Team members, peers, coaches and parents nominated their coaches. They were voted on by members of ICCA.
In 2003, the IHSA voted to make cheerleading a sport. Since that time, the ICCA and the IHSA have been working closely and look forward to our continued relationship to better serve cheerleading in the state of Illinois.
In 2018, ICCA added the Unsung Hero Award in honor of then President Betty Moore’s daughter who passed away tragically in 2017. This award is given to an athlete, in Junior High and/or HIgh School, who has made a solid contribution to their school or community, not expecting to be recognized for it.
This athlete is someone who exhibits courage, perseverance, conviction, selflessness, compassion and concern for others.
ICCA began with just 35 members and has grown each year since. The organization has grown from one region to five and from sanctioning two regionals to holding 15 plus invitational events each season.
The Scholarship program today awards several thousands of dollars each year.
The ICCA has established workshops, clinics, invitational competitions, official’s training, All-State team, ICCA Championship contest and programs to award outstanding teams and coaches.
For more than 40 years, the ICCA has recognized excellence statewide.
For more than 40 years, the ICCA has recognized cheerleading excellence statewide.
From just 35 members in 1980s, the organization has grown from one region to five that encompasses the entire state of Illinois. What started as two regional competitions a year has grown to 15 plus invitational events each season.
The ICCA scholarship program today awards thousands of dollars each year. The organization has established workshops, clinics, invitational competitions, officials training, an All-State team, championships and programs to award outstanding teams and coaches.