By RYAN DIXON

I can remember making fun of the male cheerleaders in high school — all the cheerleaders, come to think of it. The only thing funnier to me at sports banquets, besides getting a letter in chess, was getting a letter in cheerleading. I felt that just because your sport makes it on ESPN, that doesn’t justify calling it a “sport”. That was until Deshon Allen set me straight.

Deshon, along with his coaching partner Jamie, opened South Florida All Star Gym on Wednesday, November 3. They are located at 1144 South Congress Ave next to the Metro PCS in Palm Springs, Florida in Palm Beach County. The “Lady Makos Dancers” of the Palm Beach Makos minor league football team were on hand to perform and do a meet and greet. The gym serves as home to the South Florida Panthers All Stars cheerleading teams as well as be opening to the public for anyone who wants to advance their cheer needs or maybe get started.

Starting at three years of age all the way up to adult and “parent” classes, the SFAS gym has all the bases covered. You’ll learn the proper skills needed for jumps, motions and stunts as well as gain skills and excel in flexibility.

“Anything you want to know or learn about cheering, we do it” says Deshon. “We’re even offering our space for any squad in the area that wants to come and practice here.”

What that means is those high schools that don’t necessarily have the money or see the need to provide the cheer team with their own mats to practice on, as opposed to using the ones the wrestling teams use can use the SFAS facility. Deshon also told me that “it takes a lot to run a business these days, especially with this economy.” That’s why he and his team have gone that extra mile to check prices with other similar programs all over the state. After the uniform and pom-poms and coach’s fee, things can start to add up. “Our classes are $85 a month, and that includes one class a week with your coach and/or team.”

Be on the look out for the Makos Dancers as the Palm Beach Makos open their season this coming January. For more information and to keep up with both teams, find them on Facebook at: South Florida Panthers All Stars and Lady Makos Dancers.