A lot of work goes into playing a sport, and not just from the athlete. Parents play a major role in the lives of most athletes. Typically, their duties as a parent-athlete include paying for the team their child is on, fundraising, driving their child to and from the events and being their number one fan. One mom that knows what it takes to be a parent of an athlete, or more specifically a cheer mom, is Staci Leineberg, mother of alumna Varsity cheerleader Andi Leineberg and sophomore Varsity cheerleader Graci Leineberg.

“I have been a cheer mom for 14 years, since Andi was in kindergarten,” S. Leineberg said.

Throughout those years, she has loved every second of watching her daughters cheer at the Varsity football and basketball games and performing at competitions.

“I love watching my girls having fun and working hard at a sport they love,” S. Leineberg said.

G. Leineberg has been cheering since she was four years old. She was involved with the Timberwolves, Vikings, Twisters and the Varsity cheer team at Antioch Community High School.

“I always looked up to my other teammates, famous all-star athletes and my sister,” G. Leineberg said. “I had never cheered with Andi before ACHS cheer, but making Varsity and getting to cheer with my sister freshman year was super fun. It was easier to be myself and get used to the swing of things having my sister with me.”

S. Leineberg was just as excited about the sisters cheering together.

“I loved last year; it was the only year I had both girls on the same team,” S. Leineberg said. “The memories from last year are priceless.”

From preparing game day dinners to hosting hair parties, making crafts and trying to fundraise money for things like new uniforms, cheerleading can become rather expensive and time consuming.

“Being a cheer mom means spending a lot of money, but it’s worth every penny,” S. Leineberg said. “I think the most important part about being a high school cheer mom is just being there for my kids, watching them cheer at as many games and competitions that I can. High school years go by fast. I really don’t want to miss a single chance to see my daughters perform.”

Even though high school cheerleading is now a thing of the past for A. Leineberg, she has moved on to be a cheerleader at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.

“I am so happy Andi is cheering in college, it’s always been her dream,” S. Leineberg said. “Andi loves football, and cheering at the games makes her really happy.”

S. Leineberg has put in countless hours of being a cheer mom, and she will continue to be one for many years to come.