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CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes explicit content and subject matter that may be triggering for some.
A bomb has dropped on the All Star cheerleading industry. Since late August, a series of events has unfolded that has left it impossible to be left undiscussed. Allegations, lawsuits, and a prominent, nationally known program ceased to exist, literally overnight.
This isn’t a regular podcast episode and it was incredibly difficult for me to record. I battled over whether or not to even record it. But in order for the truth to be known and change to come about, we cannot be silent. We need to know what’s happening and we need a safe space to process. My hope is that this community can be that space.
My prayers continue to be with the victims and their families. Thank you for being so brave, and for shining light in dark places.
I am not an expert and I am not an attorney. I’m just a parent whose life has been consumed with being involved in this sport for 10 years
I’ve spent days watching, listening, Reading, and trying to put a timeline together to try and accurately tell this story factually. But I am also not a journalist (although I have an extreme appreciation for what they do, now that I’ve been researching this!)
Please know that I did my very best to pull together and talk about the facts surrounding this case and the allegations made.
I’m going to try not to insert my opinions or speculations. What I want to do in this episode, just like in any other, is to educate, create a positive community, and help to lead us all to a place where we don’t feel scared, overwhelmed, and helpless, and where we feel like we can take action to make our kids feel safe.
All sources are linked below.
We’re going to go through the events in chronological order, as they unfolded to us publicly:
August 22nd
Scott Foster, owner, founder and coach at Rockstar Cheer in Greenville, South Carolina was found dead. It was revealed a few days later that he had ended his own life.
August 29th
It was revealed that Foster was under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security and that allegations had been made against him for having inappropriate relationships with minor athletes.
A lawsuit was by filed Chappell & Smith, on behalf of Jane Doe.
Also on this date, it was announced that all 16 Rockstar gym affiliates had canceled their license agreement with Rockstar.
August 30th
Kathy Foster, wife of Scott Foster, released a statement:
September 1st
A second lawsuit was filed by the Strom Law Firm on behalf of over 100 John and Jane Doe victims.
Varsity released a statement:
SEPTEMBER 6TH
Rockstar leadership sends an email to its members, announcing the gym will close indefinitely.
September 15th
The lawsuit filed by Strom Law Firm is amended, and names additional coaches and details surrounding the abuse at Rockstar.
WHAT CAN WE DO AS CHEER PARENTS?
Each All Star gym is a privately owned business. As parents, we must choose the All Star program that works best for our family and lines up with our values. We need to ask questions and look for things like transparency in their hiring processes, and what their policies are in the context of coach and athlete relationships on the mat, off the mat, and on social media.
We need to closely watch how our gyms are communicating, read gym policies, and ask questions about the formal, tangible things they are doing to keep our athletes safe.
I think that Varsity and its affiliates, and the USASF will come out with their side of the story and try to fight this, but whether they win or lose the actual lawsuit, BIG changes will need to be made in the sport.
Let’s keep asking questions. Let’s process as a community. We’re in this together.
Sources:
https://www.sportico.com/law/news/2022/varsity-brands-sex-abuse-claims-1234687582/
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/22273313-does-v-foster-rockstar-et-al
https://twitter.com/CodyAlcorn/status/1567323951939948544/photo/1
https://www.wyff4.com/article/south-carolina-rockstar-cheer-lawsuit-abuse-claims/41242867
https://www.fitsnews.com/2022/08/30/kathy-foster-releases-statement/
