The school of rah-rah
Cheer University opens in Millstone
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer

CHRIS KELLY staff Manalapan's Emily Chen, 11, is lifted into the air during cheerleading practice at Cheer University in Millstone.

Wearing sparkly pink, black and silver uniforms, the Cheer University cheerleaders will soon make their world debut.

The first-ever Cheer University teams are currently practicing their cheering, dancing and tumbling skills at the new school located on Rike Drive in Millstone. Girls ages 4-15 are sweating while learning routines to participate in 10-12 competitions throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania in the upcoming year.

"A lot of other teams compete far away and take plane rides, but we're going to try to keep traveling costs down because of the economy," Cheer University co-owner Jeanine Bollini, of Englishtown, said.

In its first year of operation, Cheer University will have three full-year, all-star cheerleading teams. Come December, the school hopes to create various half-year teams, which attend less (five to six) competitions, but offer those who cheer for school sports teams the opportunity participate.

Head Coaches Timothy McRae and Erin Gravatt lead a team of other safety-, first aid- and CPRcertified coaches in teaching students at the brand new 9,000- square-foot, air-conditioned facility. Cheer University cheerleaders practice on a full-size competition floor with 14 panels, two Olympic-sized trampolines and two tumble tacks.

"Some girls just come here for tumbling classes," Bollini said.

Cheer University offers a variety of classes in its mission to educate children of all ages to develop themselves physically, mentally, emotionally and morally through cheerleading and tumbling programs. Bollini said students in all classes learn physical fitness, sportsmanship, teamwork and responsibility for themselves and others at the school.

"Young girls need motivation in a positive way to grow up mentally and physically healthy," Bollini said. "We try to make well-rounded kids."

She continued, "Our big thing is that we are a family and we treat everyone as a part of our family."

Bollini and co-owner Barbara Monticello, of Monroe Township, said Cheer University is a dream come true for them. Monticello, who has coached gymnastics for the past 20 years, including Olympic Gymnast Alyssa Beckerman of Middletown, got the idea for Cheer University when her daughter Ashley started cheerleading and she saw the sport outgrowing the gym spaces provided for practice.

Bollini, whose daughters Brianna and Julia are also cheerleaders, said she got involved in the enterprise because she saw the sport of cheerleading growing in popularity over the years.

"Moms and dads fill the stadiums and arenas where these girls are competing," she said.

Bollini said Cheer University has only been open since Sept. 29 and already has gotten good feedback.

"People are saying that this is something the area did not have," she said. "People from these towns were traveling for many miles for cheerleading places because they are that dedicated."

Local Pop Warner teams, including Allentown's, have already started using the facility for practice, according to Bollini.

Monticello said the school is basically separated into two sections, one for competitors and one for beginners.

"Some people are very serious about cheerleading and are also thinking about scholarships for cheerleading," Monticello said. "Then we have the other side which teaches preschoolers and part-time and beginning cheerleaders, children who want to be part of the cheerleading but don't want to compete."

The university has a no-cut policy, meaning every athlete will be placed on a team and offers tumbling and introduction-to-cheer classes that have been designed to get students involved in the sport without making big commitments.

"If a child is not ready for the commitment of cheering to be on a team or to make the financial and time commitments, we offer classes that introduce them to the world of cheering and if they decide they like it they can decide to join a team," she said.

Bollini and Monticello both said that the best thing about cheerleading is that anyone of any shape, body size or ability level can participate.

"There's always a place for a girl on the team," Bollini said. "I think that's important for self-esteem and for making everyone feel like they're part of the group."

Cheer University also wants to start a special-education cheerleading team.

"I hope that all of our students have a warm experience," Monticello said. "I think it's important that the parents know their kids are safe and cared about as if they were our own and that kids walk away learning and having fun."

The business also strives to instill the importance of community service in its students.

"We want the girls to give back to the community and learn that community service is a very important part of being involved with our organization," Monticello said.

Jamie Tringali, of Manalapan, has started fundraising projects to offset the costs of uniforms, accessories and competitions, as well as for organizations such as the March of Dimes, the Manalapan/ Englishtown First Aid Squad and the Monroe Township High School PTA.

Cheer University also offers "Parent and Me" and "Preschool" movement classes and themed birthday parties. The school tries to make parents of older students more comfortable with a waiting area that overlooks the gym and has free coffee and internet service.

For more information, call 609- 301-7071 or visit www.cheeruniversitynj. com.