The cheerleading and tumbling community is mourning the loss of one of its most passionate and dedicated coaches.
Shane Montgomery, a beloved figure in the world of competitive cheerleading, has passed away, leaving behind a legacy that stretches far beyond trophies and competition floors.
Shane was most recently known as an INTENSITY Master Trainer at CheerConditioning.Academy, a role he has held since October 2015.
Before that, he served as Tumbling Director at ICE ALL-STARS in Aurora, Illinois, where he shaped countless young athletes into confident, skilled performers.
He studied Sport Psychology at UNC Charlotte, a background that clearly informed his coaching philosophy and his deep understanding of what athletes needed not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.
Those who knew Shane describe him in terms that go well beyond the title of coach. He was a mentor, a motivator, and, for many, a second family member. He had an uncanny ability to see potential in athletes regardless of where they trained or how they came to his attention.
Whether a kid walked through the doors of his gym or stumbled across a video of someone tumbling online, Shane was the type of person who would stop and offer tips, encouragement, and support. His generosity with his knowledge and time knew no boundaries.
Ashley McGloon, whose daughter Kylie trained under Shane, shared a heartfelt tribute that captured what so many families experienced.
She credited him with teaching Kylie grit and work ethic, values that she said her daughter carries with her every single day.
Kylie’s journey in cheerleading, from tiny level one all the way to senior level six, was shaped inside the walls of Shane’s gym, where he made her believe in herself every step of the way. That kind of impact, the kind that sticks with a person for a lifetime, is the measure of a truly great coach.
Dustin Owen, a former roommate and fellow coach, expressed his grief in deeply personal terms.
He spoke of shared laughter, inside jokes, and the kind of camaraderie that only comes from living alongside someone through the grind of the coaching world.
He fondly recalled Shane’s famous frustration with athletes throwing round-off tucks and laughed through his tears at a friendship that meant the world to him. His words made clear that Shane was just as unforgettable as a friend as he was as a coach.
David Petty, who never met Shane in person, shared that during his own battle with cancer, Shane’s support meant more than words could express.
He praised Shane’s uniquely hilarious social media presence, saying nobody made posts the way Shane did, a testament to a personality that lit up every room, virtual or otherwise.
Shane’s Facebook bio read simply, “Method is a cage on fire,” a phrase that in hindsight feels like a perfect encapsulation of the man himself: intense, unconventional, and burning with purpose.
He leaves behind a community of athletes, coaches, and families who are better for having known him.
The cheerleading world has lost a one-of-a-kind voice, a tireless teacher, and a genuinely irreplaceable human being.
Rest easy, Shane. Your impact will never fade.
