Shannon Smith, James Speed, Kenny Feeley and Lisa Aucoin are joining forces to expand cheerleading competitions, coaching education and athlete development worldwide.
Global Spirit and Spring CDT have announced a strategic partnership that reunites several influential figures in competitive cheerleading, bringing together decades of experience in championship events, scoring technology, athlete training and international education.
The partnership connects longtime business partners Shannon Smith and James Speed of Global Spirit with Kenny Feeley and Lisa Aucoin of Spring CDT.
For Smith, Speed and Feeley, the announcement represents a reunion more than 25 years in the making, dating back to their work together through Spirit Sports and Speed Camps.
Their next chapter will focus on developing cheer and dance events, instructional camps and educational opportunities for athletes, coaches and programs around the world.
From Spirit Sports to Global Spirit
Smith and Speed previously co-founded Spirit Sports Cheer & Dance Events, developing championship experiences that became established fixtures in the All Star cheerleading industry. Spirit Sports, along with Speed Camps, was later acquired by Varsity Brands.
Both bring extensive backgrounds in collegiate coaching, All Star cheerleading, event production and competition scoring.
Smith spent 26 years operating Carolina Cheerleading Training Center and directing the Carolina All-Stars, a program credited with 316 national championship titles.
He also served as head cheerleading coach at Clemson University and Furman University and was previously director of The Summit All Levels Championship in Orlando.
Beyond coaching and event production, Smith played an important role in advancing competition scoring technology.
He contributed to the creation and design of EScore, a computerized scoring system previously used at major events including The Cheerleading and Dance Worlds, Varsity All Star competitions, UCA high school and college championships, and NCA high school championships.
Smith later co-created AccuScore, a scoring challenge system used at events including The Worlds and The Summit.
His international experience includes coaching and choreography work in Australia, Germany, Malaysia, Scotland, Canada, Norway and England.
In 2026, Smith was recognized among the Pioneers of the Industry for his contributions to All Star cheerleading.
He now serves as president and chief operations officer of Global Spirit, where he is helping develop a new generation of competition experiences and event operations.
James Speed's Next Chapter
James Speed enters the partnership following one of the most successful collegiate coaching careers in cheerleading history.
A former University of Louisville cheerleader and two-time national champion, Speed began his coaching career with positions at the University of Kansas and the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs before returning to Louisville.
Over four decades, he helped establish the Cardinals as a collegiate cheerleading powerhouse, with the program credited with 48 NCA national championships across its competitive divisions.
Speed announced his departure from Louisville in May 2026, ending a 42-year association with the university.
His influence extends well beyond college cheerleading.
As the founder of GymTyme All Stars, Speed helped build one of the sport's most accomplished All Star programs, with 31 USASF and IASF World Championship titles credited to the organization.
He also founded Speed Camps and co-founded Spirit Sports with Smith, expanding his influence into athlete instruction, competition production and event operations.
Speed was inducted into The Cheer Awards Hall of Fame in July 2026, recognizing his contributions to the sport.
Through Global Spirit, he is also involved in the development of TrueScore, a scoring system designed to streamline judging responsibilities and improve evaluation standards across the cheerleading industry.
Related: James Speed Announces End of Historic 42-Year Run at Louisville
Spring CDT Brings Two Decades of International Education
While Global Spirit brings experience in competition production and scoring, Spring CDT contributes an established international network focused on coach education and athlete development.
Led by Lisa Aucoin and Kenny Feeley, Spring CDT has spent nearly two decades developing instructional camps, international coaching conferences and training programs designed to improve technical skills and expand educational opportunities worldwide.
Feeley's history with Smith and Speed dates back to his work with Spirit Sports and his role as National Director of Speed Camps.
A former national champion at the University of Louisville and GymTyme All Stars, Feeley also coached at Clemson University before developing an extensive international coaching career.
His experience includes working with five-time world champion Team Canada Coed Elite and Team Canada All Girl Premier, as well as national teams and competitive programs throughout Europe.
Through Spring CDT, Feeley has helped develop technical training methods, stunt instruction and educational resources used by coaches internationally.
He joined Speed in The Cheer Awards Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
Aucoin brings more than three decades of cheerleading experience as an athlete, coach, choreographer and educator.
Based in Canada, she founded the University of Ottawa coed cheerleading team and has served as director of the Ottawa REDBLACKS Cheerleading & Dance Team.
A nine-time World Champion coach, Aucoin has worked extensively with international programs and organizations to expand educational access, establish professional relationships and support the development of cheerleading worldwide.
Her contributions also include supporting the early development of disability-inclusive cheerleading and helping connect advocates and coaches across the international community.
Related: Lisa Aucoin — The Connector Behind the Movement
"For the last 20 years Kenny and I have devoted our lives to international cheerleading. Our mission is and always has been to 'Connect, Lead, Educate and Inspire' the global cheerleading community," Aucoin shared in the partnership announcement.
"This new partnership with Global Spirit will allow us to continue our efforts, but to also expand our reach and impact."
Aucoin reflected on the international relationships Spring CDT has developed over the last two decades and welcomed the opportunity to work alongside Smith and Speed again.
"We are thrilled to reunite with Shannon and James as we embark on many new and exciting projects together."
What the Partnership Means for Cheerleading
The partnership brings together experience in several major areas of the cheerleading industry: competition production, judging and scoring technology, championship coaching and international education.
Global Spirit plans to produce athlete-focused competitions and instructional events, while Spring CDT will continue developing international training programs and coaching opportunities.
Together, the organizations say they intend to expand those opportunities while working with industry stakeholders to support the sport's continued growth.
Specific joint events, international initiatives and programming schedules have not yet been announced.
For Smith, Speed and Feeley, the partnership reconnects relationships that helped shape their early professional careers.
For Aucoin and Spring CDT, it creates an opportunity to expand an established international education network into new areas of competition and athlete development.
The announcement marks a new chapter for four industry leaders whose careers have contributed to how cheerleading is coached, judged, taught and experienced around the world.
Learn more: Global Spirit | Spring CDT
