Jeff Webb, an American cheerleading executive and entrepreneur who founded Varsity Spirit and the International Cheer Union, died on March 19, 2026, of complications from a fall.
Webb, born in Dallas in 1949, was the founder of the Universal Cheerleading Association and Varsity Brands and served as founder and president of the International Cheer Union, the world governing body of cheerleading. He was also a publisher and media executive, serving as co-publisher and senior news editor of Human Events later in his career.
Jeff Webb (July 1, 1949 – March 19, 2026) was an American businessman and executive who was primarily focused on the development of cheerleading, publisher, and conservative activist. He was the founder of the Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) and Varsity Spirit, along with its parent company, Varsity Brands. Webb was the founder and president of the International Cheer Union (ICU), the world governing body of the sport of cheerleading, as well as the founder and chairman of The New American Populist. Webb was described by People magazine as “the father of modern cheerleading”.