By: Marley Shirakawa

SAN JOSE, CALIF. – After many complaints from incoming freshman and JV parents, Silver Creek High School’s Cheer Team is now without a head coach for the first time in 23 years. The departure marks a significant shift for the team, which has long been guided by the experienced leadership of their coach. Current and future cheerleaders are left to wonder how this change will impact the program in the coming times. 

Ojae Balgos, the former head coach, started his coaching career at Silver Creek High School in 2001 and has been a strong component of the cheerleading team ever since. Balgos was well-known for his strict and demanding teaching style. He was also well-known for his strong attitude, raising his voice when cheerleaders had trouble with a cheer or dance, but he always made it clear that his tactics were never personal. In addition to winning multiple coaching awards during his time at Silver Creek, Balgos was a well-liked member of the JAMZ cheer and dance program.  

However, a growing number of junior varsity cheerleader parents became dissatisfied with Balgos’s coaching style and his handling of their children. His methods became the subject of complaints to the district office, the principal, and other school officials. In the face of increasing pressure and discontent, Coach Balgos was officially fired on Sept. 4. Silver Creek High School cheerleader Emmie Collins, a Junior, expressed “I was sad” upon learning of Balgos’ dismissal. Collins has known Balgos since before high school cheerleading. Collins added that she feels it is “such an injustice for all the cheerleaders because all he wanted was the best for us.” The varsity cheerleaders, who had relied on a coach for more than 20 years as a key member of their program, are now faced with the difficult task of adjusting to this enormous shift, causing a lot of frustration. Many people are wondering how the team will adapt to the change and what the future holds for Silver Creek High School’s cheerleading legacy. “ I think this impacted the future cheer team because it will never be the same without Ojae” said Juliana Ortiz (class of 2024) she added, “I feel like class of 2028 will be the last class to experience SCHS cheer program and not having Ojae as a coach already destroyed them.” Luckily, Balgos had two assistant coaches, who were also former cheerleaders at Silver Creek and experienced having Balgos as a coach. They have now taken on that role and are acting as head coach. Balgos reached out to my sister who is also a former cheerleader (class of 2020), to write a letter saying how he as a coach has impacted her life. Balgos is collecting letters from many current and former cheerleaders to send to the principal in hopes to get his spot back.