Sportabouts Tumbling, Trampoline & Cheer Center

By Cindy Ladage

Jen Tibbs-Berle owns and operates Sportabouts Tumbling, Trampoline & Cheer Center.  They are located on the south side of Virden’s Square.  Offering a chance for kids in several communities to stay active and have fun, Jen has been involved with tumbling since she was three years old.  “That was back in 1976,” Jen said.

Previously named Marge & Becky’s Dance Studio, in 1989 when Jen was 16, she lost her brother in a terrible accident, Jen’s friendship with the owners Marge and Becky strengthened, and she found herself spending more time at the studio and teaching.  Over the years, her love for the kids and tumbling just increased. In 2003, Jen changed the name to Sportabouts and Jen said the studio, “Is a big part of the Virden community.”

Jen’s husband is Todd Berle, and he is the general sales manager at Freedom Chevrolet. Together they have two sons, one 18 (Owen) in college, and the other 13 (Jax) in junior high school.  Both boys have taken part in the studio and benefited from the classes they took over the years. Her son Jax took home the National Champion title in double-mini in Ft. Lauderdale a few years ago and since then competes sub-advanced in both trampoline and double-mini. A Virden native, Jen said they built their home in town, and she conveniently lives a few blocks from the studio.  Besides running Sportabouts, Jen is also the Marketing Manager for the UIS Performing Arts Center.

In the earlier years, Jen said they offered jazz and tumbling, the competitive competed but only in tumbling. Once trampoline and double-mini came along, dance got difficult to keep with so many hours being spent on tumbling, and both tramp activities. In their current location, Sportabouts has over 7000 square feet of space and has a 100-foot rod floor, a double-mini trampoline, an in-ground trampoline, a 10 foot tumble track, a cheer floor, a tap room and an aerobic room.

“In 2004, I decided to teach Cheer, and in 2005, we added the competitive cheer,” she said. The Competitive Cheer team was offered to kids between the ages of six and twelve. The group has been very successful even winning the State Championship one year!

“I also offer Kinder Cheer for four- and five-year-olds,” Jen said.  Kids from two to eighteen can participate in Sportabouts classes. Both boys and girls attend. With six excellent coaches, including Emma Crawford a high school junior that is “Miss Virden”, the studio is a bustling place.

Loni Manalia, once a Sportabouts advanced athlete, is Jen’s right-hand coach, and everyone helps make the studio a success offering a variety of options.  In the Recreational area, they offer tumbling, trampoline, double-mini trampoline, and cheerleading.

Sportabouts competitive options include tumbling, trampoline, and double-mini trampoline.  A student must be invited to be part of the competitive teams, and the offer to join is when a student reaches a certain level. At Sportabouts they also offer tap dancing for ages two- to five-year-olds, and at times have aerobics, open gyms, and clinics/workshops. “We have a waiting list,” Jen shared about the classes.

Parents get the chance to watch their children on special parent preview nights, otherwise, they can’t watch while children are in class.  Before COVID Jen said they used to put on recitals, but the Pandemic changed some things.  Overall, though without a recital rather than learning one routine over and over, the students get the chance to work on honing their skills and enjoy the variety more. “Children gain coordination, body strength, core strength, and friendships,” Jen said about the students enrolled at Sportabouts.  As for the little ones she added, “They gain independence when taking classes.”

“Our goal for you is to learn, reach for the stars and be the best that you can be,” Jen shares about their mission.  They also help build self-esteem and build strong connections.

Classes are offered October-May with summer clinics during June. The shorter summer clinic is a great chance for your little one to see if Sportabouts is a fit before committing to a full season. Cheer classes are from November to February, and the competition groups are all year round. Registration for classes is during the summer, and members get their first opportunity to register.  Being part of the June clinic enrolls you automatically as a member. Although there is a waiting list, at registration, Jen tries to fit both members and non-members.

Sportsabout draws kids from Virden and the surrounding communities of Auburn, Benld, Carlinville, Chesterfield, Divernon, Farmersville, Gillespie, Girard, Morrisonville, Mount Olive, Palmyra, Pawnee, Plainview, Raymond, Thayer, and Waverly.

Need a place for a party?  Sportabouts offers a fun room for birthday parties with a connected room that has a disco ball allowing the party to dance 70’s style.  Parties are held on Saturday and Sundays. “We can accommodate up to 12 kids 3 and up for two hours of fun. Enjoy a bounce house, tumble track, trampoline, obstacle courses, music, dancing, games, relays and more.  We provide a birthday area with tables, chairs, paper plates, cups, forks, spoons, and you provide any drinks and cake/food.”

When she has downtime, Jen laughed that her family says she needs to be working because she is bored.  “This is where I belong,” Jen said about the studio.  “I love the classes; it is in my blood.”

Sportabouts gives kids something special to do, an activity where Jen said they can enjoy structured fun, and physical activity. She dearly loves her students and enjoys the interaction.  “I love to be a part of their lives,” Jen said, which says it all!

To learn more about Sportabouts, like their Facebook page, or call them at 217-965-3520.