Why Our Evaluation Process Takes Time—And Why That’s a Good Thing

Motor City Cheer isn’t here to sell you hype—we’re here to coach great athletes & build great people.

We know evaluation season can be overwhelming. But in our experience, rushing that process often leads to confusion, misaligned expectations, and disappointment down the road—for everyone.

We've seen it all—parents being wooed by flashy levels that quietly get downgraded once checks clear, and kids pushed into positions they aren’t ready for, physically or emotionally.

That’s not how we operate. And that’s on purpose.

At MCC, we do things differently. Our evaluation process is intentional and phased—not because we want to make things complicated, but because we care deeply about getting it right. We’re not looking to collect a fee and cross our fingers that it all works out. We’re looking to build teams that last, develop athletes who grow, and maintain the level of excellence our program is known for.

We believe that joining a competitive team is a year-long commitment—not a last-minute impulse buy. It takes strategy, honesty, and time to place athletes in the right roles, and we take that responsibility seriously. We don’t throw together rosters just to get you to choose us over the next program. Instead, we invest in a process that sets our athletes and coaches up for long-term success.

So how does our process work?

1. Technique Tune-Ups (May 26–30):

These aren’t “pre-tryouts.” They’re intentional training opportunities designed to help athletes sharpen their skills, build confidence, and get to know our coaching style. They also allow our staff to get an early read on work ethic, teachability, and team mindset—not just tumbling.

2. Age Group Evaluations (June 1):

Every athlete attends a low-pressure, workout-style session with their age group. We assess skills and potential holistically—yes, we’re looking at tumbling and stunting, but also at work ethic, attitude, coachability, and how an athlete contributes to team dynamics.

3. Level Callbacks (June 2–12):

Athletes are invited to up to three level-specific evaluations based on their performance and potential. This phased approach gives our coaches time to evaluate stunt group dynamics, tumbling readiness, maturity, and team chemistry, helping us form well-balanced teams where athletes are both challenged and set up for success.

4. Initial Team Placements (June 14):

Team rosters are determined using the full scope of evaluations—not just one skill or one moment. Our goal is to match each athlete with the right team for their current level of ability and potential growth. Stunting ratios and tumbling consistency both matter here, and we’re transparent that these placements may still adjust.

5. Final Adjustments (Until August 1):

As tumbling and corresponding stunting ratios evolve, we reserve the right to make final adjustments to ensure each team has the best chance of success.

Why does it take this long?

• We do not oversell levels. Our placements reflect the team an athlete can safely and successfully contribute to—not a marketing strategy.

• We do not promise positions to secure fees. Transparency and integrity matter more than fast commitments.

• We protect our athletes’ confidence by avoiding placements they aren’t ready for, which can lead to injuries, burnout, or demotions later in the season.

We built MCC to be different—intentionally. Every athlete matters. Every decision is made with thought, strategy, and care. We don’t shortcut the process because your athlete deserves more than a rushed placement and a downgraded team after your check clears.

If you’re looking for a gym that will promise a Level 6 spot overnight just because you're age-eligible with a little bit of prior cheer experience, we’re not it.

If you’re looking for a gym that will develop your athlete honestly, responsibly, and with high standards, welcome home!

At MCC, we don’t chase hype. We build legacies.

If you’re ready to be part of something real, something disciplined, and something better—look no further than MCC.