By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Cathy Sisk Banks, a dedicated coach and cheer director with 15 years of experience, began her journey in cheerleading when her daughter showed an early interest in the sport. Starting as a cheer manager, Sisk Banks’s role evolved into that of a notable coach, making a significant impact at various levels.
“I started out as a cheer manager, and then it just kind of evolved into coaching. I have coached youth league, middle school, and high school cheer,” says Sisk Banks. “I currently coach at Showalter Middle School in Tukwila, and I coach high school cheer at Tyee in SeaTac.”
In addition to the teams she currently coaches, Sisk Banks is also the cheer director for Northwest Premier Junior Football & Cheer, a values-based league that sees football and cheer as opportunities to engage in youth development. Like many other sports, cheer has evolved over the years, and Sisk Banks notes how much recreational cheer has grown in Washington state.
“Now, boys have really gotten into the cheer aspect of things, and I think that it is awesome that boys want to cheer as well,” says Sisk Banks. “Our recreational cheerleaders’ skills have gotten way better. We have girls and boys who also do all-star, which is a totally different beast, so their skills have grown from that. With recreational cheer growing, it is amazing because I really just want something for our young people to look forward to and give them something to do.”
Sisk Banks’ passion for cheerleading extends beyond her coaching duties. As a board member of the Washington State Cheer Coaches Association (WSCCA), a nonprofit dedicated to advancing cheerleading in Washington, Sisk Banks has seen her initial passion for the sport—sparked by her daughter’s early involvement—grow into a deeper commitment to improving the greater cheer community.
“The camaraderie of cheer coaches across our league and across the state as well drives me to be here for the kids to this day. Also, I just want to be a mentor and coach to young people, which I think, to me, is one of the really good things about being a coach for cheer because you get to see the young people grow up,” says Sisk Banks.
“We have had some of our younger cheerleaders who went on and made their high school teams, and we are so proud of that,” she continues.
During the off-season, many might think a cheer coach’s job is done until the season starts again, but for Sisk Banks, that is far from the truth. During that time, the WSCCA hosts an annual conference for competition cheer coaches across the country, which Sisk Banks has chaired for two years. To be a cheer coach, there are many requirements to follow, and paying attention to details is very important.
“There are a lot of different classes and stunt certifications that we [coaches] have to do,” says Sisk Banks. “There are a lot of rule classes that we have to follow, and when you are a cheer coach, there are just a lot of requirements that you have to meet, like knowing how to ensure that everyone is safe.”
Sisk Banks spends a substantial amount of time as both a cheer coach for two teams and a cheer director, but despite the time commitment, she embraces the fast-paced environment of the cheer world. A typical week for her involves multiple practices, preparing for game performances, ensuring everyone has the necessary uniforms and equipment, coordinating with parents, and meeting with other coaches to keep everyone aligned.
“It’s all about making sure everyone is prepared—from athletes to parents—while balancing practices and performances,” says Sisk Banks.
Over the past 15 years, Sisk Banks believes she hasn’t encountered many challenges in her various cheer roles, except for fundraising within the cheer program. However, she notes that even fundraising hasn’t been a significant issue for her teams, although it is a necessary function of leading a cheer program, especially when they need new uniforms.
“Usually, most teams keep their uniforms for two to three years, but every team does it differently,” says Sisk Banks. “If we do need new uniforms, then we fundraise to buy new ones, or it comes in with their registration fees when the cheerleaders sign up.”
Sisk Banks’ journey from nurturing her daughter’s interest in cheerleading to becoming a coach herself has been incredibly fulfilling, as she enjoys the opportunity to share her passion and skills with the young cheerleaders she coaches and directs.
“My daughter is actually a coach now as well. She coached with me last year but is now taking a little break,” says Sisk Banks. “But overall, I really love cheer. I think it is a great sport—yes, cheer is a sport—because there is a lot of hard work that goes into it, whether it is just doing sidelines or during competition seasons that are really heavy. And I am so glad that our local rec teams are really expanding their competitive seasons.”
