Joy Troup
Pacific Stars

Many of you know me as I am very involved with the growth of our sport. I am the Western Regional Director for the United States All Star Federation (USASF) /International All Star Federation (IASF). I became involved with these organizations early on as the first California Director for the National All Star Cheerleading Coaches Congress (NACCC). I have worked for the above organizations as they embarked on their quest to help make the sport become safer for our cheer athletes, through coaches credentialing, athlete credentialing and gym certification. I am also the Associate Publisher and columnist for the USASF publication All-Star Cheer Magazine.

I coach at Aliso Niguel High School, St. Mary's And All Angles Middle School and JSerra Catholic High School as well my all- star program, Pacific Stars. Pacific Stars is sort of the "little cheer program that could." We pride ourselves in being the stepping-stone for cheer athletes. When I began Pacific Stars it was during a time when all of the gyms were having tryouts and there were a number of girls who had no place to go after not making a team. I put many of those girls together ands formed squads. Were we the best on a competition score sheet? No, but the pride and excitement that the girls had to be part of a team and just having the opportunity to compete goes beyond any title we tried to win. I have always encouraged my cheerleaders to move on to any one of the other programs in my community whenever they out grew my teams. I also encourage them to be part of their high school programs as sometimes cheerleading is the one thing that can keep a child engaged in school by feeling like they are part of it.  Many have gone on to other programs and even have competed at the Cheerleading Worlds. I take great pride in knowing I helped them early on discover what a great sport cheerleading can be.

My philosophy resonates throughout all of the programs I work with. My work at St. Mary's began on the suggestion of a parent that the school "could use a little spirit". Three years later we continue to grow, and ranked 4th this year at USA Nationals and have become and intricate part of the St. Mary's family.

Where some may see coaching a JV squad as an entry level position, I see my job as JV coach at Aliso Niguel High School as another opportunity to help each cheerleader build a foundation that they can grow upon. I feel privileged to have helped this group of girls truly become a "team" through their many successes including second place at USA nationals.

I feel very privileged to be able to help cultivate the cheer program at Jserra Catholic High School. Though my time with them has been brief I look forward to seeing what the future has in store for us!

Could I coach a level 5 all- star team and make champions out of them, of course, but I feel in my heart of hearts that I can make a greater impact by being where I am at, at the starting point of kids cheer career. Thank you all so much for your consideration for Coach of the Year.