Justin Carrier worked for the National Cheerleading Association (NCA) for 11 years, most recently as director of curriculum, until 2004 when he was promoted to director of events and championships. As the curriculum director, he was responsible for training materials, manuals, books, and curriculum for youth, high school, all-star, and college levels. He has appeared in many of the NCA’s training videos and speaks regularly at coaching clinics around the country. Carrier is head instructor for many of the NCA’s largest camps, and he personally trains more than 5,000 athletes and 400 high school coaches each summer. In addition, he created and developed the coaches certification program for the NCA from 2000 to 2005 and coauthored curriculum for safety programs for both the United States All- Star Federation (USASF) and the National Council for Spirit Safety and Education (NCSSE).
Donna McKay has coached high school cheerleaders for almost 20 years. She has served on the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Spirit Rules Committee, on the National Spirit Group (NSG) Spirit Advisory Board, and twice as president of the Iowa Cheerleading Coaches Association. McKay was named the National Federation Section IV Coach of the Year in 1997 and received the NCCC National Outstanding Cheerleading Service of the Year Award in 1995. She compiled a cheerleading handbook, which was distributed to all Iowa high schools, and has twice revised the NCA Coaches Manual.
Her cheer squads and program have earned numerous national distinctions, including recognition as one of the NCA’s Best of the Best and an NCA Top 1000 Squad, as well as selection to cheer at the McDonald’s All-American Basketball Game on ESPN. Her squads have won two state championships, been awarded four Sportsmanship Trophies at boys’ state basketball tournaments, and consistently received Distinguished Academic Achievement Awards. Almost 80 cheerleaders from McKay’s squads have been selected to Iowa All-State Squads. She has judged competitions since 1993, speaks at conferences, and coordinates the NCA/NDA National Coaches’ and Directors’ Conferences. McKay holds an MSE degree in educational administration. She is a teacher and coach in Mason City, Iowa.
