Headridge receives Pinnacle Award

Pam Headridge, 18-year cheer coach at Oak Harbor High School, received the Pinnacle Award for Coaching Excellence at the National Coaches Cheer Conference in Fayetteville, N.C. on May 16.

Cheer Ltd. flew Headridge to the conference as a speaker and to receive her special award. Only three coaches in the nation were so honored, Headridge, Nancy Ellen Elster from Ballard High School and Debbie Love from Kentucky.

The selection committee recognized extremely talented and accomplished individuals who are responsible for significant coaching achievements and success in the spirit industry. A numbers of factors determined the recipients including:

Size and scope of coaching responsibilities.

Accomplishments over the entirety of coaching career.

Creative and innovative coaching methods.

Scope of influence within specific areas of coaching expertise.

Specific coaching results driven by the ideas, methods, and execution of the nominee, including team growth and former cheerleaders’ success.

Headridge was singled out for both her outstanding record at Oak Harbor High School and for her impact in the state and nation. She has won many championships plus a numerous number of her cheerleaders have gone on to cheer in college, staff for national companies and coach for high school and all-star programs. She maintains an extension cheerleading site for coaches plus has published two books and nine training videos.

She is the founder of Washington State Cheer Coaches Association and serves currently as the president. In addition, she created the state’s stunt certification that is required for all high school coaches.

Coach Headridge continues to remain active in the cheer industry through educating coaches and cheerleaders at clinics and conferences throughout the country.

She retired from her position at the end of this year’s competitive season, but said she will maintain her close ties with the Wildcat program.

“You bet I’ll be around,” she said, after announcing her plans to retire. “I want to write another book and I have speaking engagements planned around the country. When I’m not on the road, I’ll be in the stands.”

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