Membership
When does membership open?
Membership opened July 1.
Can I complete the membership form if I do not have my competitive team selected?
Yes - you can always send your roster to Margie Schwartz and she will upload it for you.
Do I need to pay when I complete the membership form or can I do that later?
For your convenience, you can pay using a credit or debit card (Square) at the time of the form submission. Or you can send a check afterwards to Margie Schwartz, Membership Director.
Where do I send my check?
Please be sure your check is addressed to ICCA
℅ Margie Schwartz, Membership Director
3 Parker Drive
Mt. Vernon, IL 62864
How much is membership?
Membership is $75 if paid prior to 11/30/24. Beginning 12/1/24 - you can still become a member, but the membership fee is $125.
What if I mail my membership check and it is not received by the membership director before I compete?
This does happen from time to time in which case you would need to provide payment to the region rep at the invitational for your membership. Once your mailed check has been received by the Membership Director, that check will be returned to you. The easiest way to ensure your membership is processed quickly is to complete your membership form early and use the PayPal option.
How will I know when my membership is paid and complete?
Margie Schwartz, Membership Director, will send you a receipt when she receives your paid membership via Paypal or check. This receipt will be sent to your email that you put on your membership form submission. You can also check the website: www.cheericca.org under membership to ensure your school and team is there and that we have you listed in the correct divisions.
Can I compete without an ICCA paid membership?
Yes, but you will have to pay a higher fee for the ICCA invitational and you will not be able to qualify for the ICCA Championships.
What do I do if an athlete leaves my team and/or I replace an athlete?
Just send the changes to Margie Schwartz margies.icca@gmail.com and she can update your membership.
What are the benefits of ICCA membership?
ICCA membership opens many doors for you and your athletes!
- Ability to qualify and compete at ICCA Championships
- Your senior athletes can apply for college scholarships awarded each year at our Championships
- All-State program for your junior and senior high school athletes to apply to
- UnSung Hero Award - you can nominate one of your athletes who may not get noticed frequently who always support others and do not seek recognition for themselves
- Recognition of your senior and 8th grade athletes as Scholar Athletes at the Championships reduced entry fee into ICCA sponsored invitationals
- Coaches education - coaches conference in the spring with sessions to help you improve your coaching skills as well as your program; coaches education center on the ICCA website, mentoring program an ICCA representative in your area to help you as you navigate the season
- You, the coach, could be nominated as “Coach of the Year” which is awarded annually at our Coaches Conference
Championships
What is the date and place of the 2026 ICCA Championships?
Championships will be held at the Bank of Springfield Convention Center in Springfield, IL on January 10 and January 11.
Can any team compete at Championships?
Only teams who hold a current ICCA membership and earn a qualifying score at an ICCA Invitational can compete at Championships.
Does my team have to qualify at an Invitational in my region to compete at Championships?
No. Your team can qualify for Championships at any ICCA Invitational in the state of Illinois that is a qualifying Invitational.
What Invitationals are competitions that my team can qualify for Championships?
The Invitationals that are competitions that your team can qualify for Championships are Alton, Pontiac, Highland, Rockford Guilford, Pinckneyville, Farmington, Mt. Vernon, Marian Catholic, Edwardsville, Peoria and Wilmington.
What is the qualifying score to compete at Championships?
The championship qualifying score for the routine division is 75% for junior high and junior varsity teams and 80% for varsity teams. The championship qualifying score for the game day division is 70% for junior high and junior varsity teams and 75% for varsity teams.
Which day will my team compete at Championships?
All varsity teams compete on Saturday. Junior high and junior varsity teams compete on Sunday.
How do I register for Championships?
After your team qualifies at an invitational, Cindy Rueter will send you an email that will include the link to the registration and a password that allows you to fill out the registration form. There is a deadline to register for each invitational so make sure to look at the deadline listed in the email and posted on the website. There is a $50 late charge for any team that does not meet the deadline.
What is the cost to compete at Championships?
The cost is $250 for a team to compete in the routine division. The cost is $125 for a team to compete in the game day division. If a team wants to compete in both the routine division and game day division, the cost is $350.
How can I pay for the Championships?
Payment must be sent in before championships in order to compete. You can send a check to Cindy Rueter at 630 Lakefield Drive, Columbia IL 62236 or you can pay with square on the registration form.
Are there any other requirements besides payment in order to compete at Championships?
You must submit a signed permission slip for each athlete competing. You must also submit a team photo and a team roster. You will submit these items when you fill out the registration form so have these items prepared ahead of time.
How will I know when my Championship registration is complete?
Cindy Rueter will send you a confirmation email stating she received the payment, team roster, team photo, and permission slips. You can also check the website: www.cheericca.org under championships where a spreadsheet will be listed for you to check the progress of your registration.
How do I find out my competition time and other information for Championships?
All information will be posted on the website including a schedule of events and competition times.
When I arrive at Championships, how do I register my team for competition?
Registration takes place at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel. Registration times are Friday, January 10th from 6-9 pm; Saturday, January 11th from 7:30-11:00 am, 1:00-2:00 pm and 4:00-6:00 pm; Sunday, January 12th from 7:30-11:00 am and 1:00-2:00pm.
When are the awards for Championships?
Game day teams will compete in the morning and the awards for the game day division will be during the lunch break of each day of competition. Awards for the varsity teams will be at the end of the day on Saturday and awards for the junior high and junior varsity teams will be at the end of the day on Sunday.
How will I receive my score sheets at Championships?
Score sheets will be sent to the coach’s email provided on the Championships registration form after the awards ceremony is complete.
Will there be a program available for purchase at the Championships?
Programs will be sold at Championships for $5. Teams can place ads in the program to showcase their team. A double page ad costs $400; a full page ad costs $275; half page ad costs $175; fourth page ad costs $100; eighth page ad with only text costs $50.
Will there be merchandise for sale at the 2025 Championships?
Silkworm, Inc. who is the ICCA official vendor will be at Championships selling merchandise. Silkworm will have an online store available for preorders for those teams who have qualified for Championships. This online store will be posted on the ICCA website. Wagner Portrait Group will have team photos and action shots for sale. You can also buy videos of both days of Championships.
Awards
When are awards due?
All-State, Scholarship, Scholar Athlete, and Unsung Hero submissions are due on November 30th. Coach of the Year nominations are due February 15th. Hall of Fame nominations are due February 15th on the odd numbered years.
Do I need to have an individual membership to apply for Scholarship or All-State?
In order to apply for All-State or Scholarship, you must be a member of a team who holds a current ICCA membership and compete in at least one ICCA invitational in the current year.
Who can submit an application for Scholarship or All-State?
For All-State, any junior or senior may submit an application. For Scholarship, only seniors may submit an application.
Can I apply for Scholarship and All-State at the same time?
Scholarship and All-State submissions must be done separately but the same video can be uploaded into their respective applications.
Can I submit my Scholarship or All-State application without the video?
No, the scholarship and/or All-State applications must have the video submitted with the application by November 30th.
How do I submit names for Scholar Athlete recognition?
Fill out the form online with the information for who is responsible for academic records at your school. Then be sure to give to the person (registrar or counselor) who is submitting the athletes who qualify, the email below. Athletes who qualify must have a 3.5 or higher out of 4.0, or a 4.5 or higher out of 5.0 GPA in order to be honored. Registrar, counselor, etc
What is the Unsung Hero Award and what are the requirements?
The Unsung Hero Award is a recognition for a current ICCA team member who exemplifies courage, perseverance, conviction, selflessness, compassion and concern for others without expecting recognition. These qualities can be seen through school or community. Recommendations for this award can come from a coach, teacher or community member.
Who can submit a nomination for Coach of the Year?
Coach of the Year nominations can be submitted by another coach, athletic director, administrator or team members (past or present). Nominated coaches need to have coached for at least 7 years.
How are Hall of Fame members selected?
Hall of Fame nominations are made by current Hall of Fame members and/or current Board of Directors. Those chosen should have the distinction of being a longtime coach, an official, or a board member with 15 years or more of service to ICCA. This award is given in odd numbered years if nominations are received.
What is the ICCA Outstanding Service Award?
The ICCA Outstanding Service Award is recognition given to a member of the Board of Directors (past or present) who has shown willingness to go above and beyond to serve ICCA. This award is given in honor of Pam Dorner-Saxhaug who is one of the founders of ICCA. Nominations are made by members of the Board of Directors (past or present) and are voted on by the same.