Bloomington, Ill. (February 10, 2010) The U.S. Cellular Coliseum is pleased to announce the extension of the contract to host the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Competitive Cheerleading State Finals for five more years.

The Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Bloomington-Normal Area Sports Commission and the U.S. Cellular Coliseum have worked together to host IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals for the last four years. The proposal was approved and now the contract will be extended through the 2014 – 2015 school year.

U.S. Cellular Coliseum has been an ideal fit for the IHSA Cheerleading State Finals and we are excited to continue that relationship for five more years,” said IHSA Assistant Executive Director Susie Knoblauch. The venue really contributes to the positive overall experience for the competing schools and the staff there is second to none. All of that coupled with the support we receive from U.S. Cellular Coliseum, the local community, the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Bloomington-Normal Sports Commission made this an easy decision.

The economic impact of hosting the IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals is expected to reach more than $730,800 each year for Bloomington-Normal.

We are excited to be able to host this state tournament again for the next five years," said Bart Rogers Vice President/General Manager of the U.S Cellular Coliseum. "Our entire staff at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum is ecstatic to continue this great partnership with the IHSA and the Bloomington-Normal Convention and Visitors Bureau. The economic benefit for Bloomington-Normal each year from the athletes and families of the one hundred teams that travel from all across the State of Illinois and spend evenings in hotels and utilize restaurants is tremendous. We will continue to look to improve the event each year and hope to increase the attendance from this year for the next five years to come.

The U.S. Cellular Coliseum also hosts the IHSA Dual Team Wrestling State Finals, taking place this year on February 27, 2010.