Flip the channel to ESPN, and you may just hear the voice of Chattanooga’s own Omar Minhas. Pay close attention to the judging panel and you’ll likely see Jay Brandon, one of Chattanooga’s own.
Currently one of the most competitive sports, cheerleading has become an immense profit center for training and competition host companies. It is estimated that the cheerleading industry brings in over $2.5 billion a year.
Chattanoogans Minhas and Brandon have been involved in the cheerleading industry for over 30 years combined. They are two of the nation’s top advisors in the cheerleading industry.
Both are contracted by top cheerleading producers in the country, including Athletic Championships, JamFest, America’s Best, Cheersport, Mardi Gras, WCA and COA.
Jay Brandon, a Knoxville native, cheered for the University of Tennessee and the University of Georgia in the mid-90s. He then moved on to become a pioneer in the franchise of privately owned gyms, naming his own All-Star Gyms. From there, he laid the blueprint for others to follow in his steps - influencing the opening of over 5,000 private gyms across the country.
For the past 12 years, he has coached the GPS/McCallie “Blue Crew” cheerleading team, last year winning a national championship in Atlanta.
Omar Minhas, local resident since childhood, cheered at McCallie School and Vanderbilt University before moving to Columbus, Ohio, where he was appointed the director of staffing for the national cheerleading company, COA Cheer and Dance. At age 28, his reputation and connections have brought him to the forefront of the industry.
He is ranked as the top “Announcer/MC” in the country. In addition, he has mastered the USASF rules and is a top panel judge for over five national cheerleading companies. This upcoming January, Omar will represent Chattanooga as he MCs the Athletic Cheer and Dance National Championship held at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
From October to May, Omar and Jay serve as elite members of the judging panel and contribute as “rule judges”, adhering to the guidelines all cheer competitions across the country follow. Jay himself took part in writing the guidelines and rules for nation-wide cheer competitions.
Recently, they attended the United States All Star Federation rules certification in Dallas, where they trained and recertified with the top Rules Interpreters across the country. Since returning, Jay has been recognized by Jambrands, one of the largest cheerleading companies in the country, as the “go-to” person and top interpreter of these guidelines and will be called upon throughout the season when event producers from around the country are unsure of a certain call.
Jamie Parrish, Georgia All-Star and Top Cheer Choreographer voted by ESPN magazine, said, “The best of the best happens to be in Chattanooga. Jay and Omar are called upon by the top companies to represent them on their panels. They bring legitimacy and expertise to every competition. I know when I see them on the panel, our teams are being fairly and properly scored.”