... the kids had this special fire -- more like a drive you don't usually see in youth.

At cheer and dance events, dads often feel out of their element. Many would be more comfortable on a field, court, or other type of venue, but they do their best to fit in by learning all they can about cheerleading. From learning to count to eight in the perfect tempo to helping their daughters stretch for flyer tryouts, they make it happen.

Here are their stories.

Matt Byars, Cheer and Hip Hop Dad

I had a lot of expectations of what a cheer gym would be like. The first time I walked into our gym, I thought I was right. I expected the worst. Oh, and the coaches were supposed to be part-timers who weren't really into the kids; I was so sure.

But this dad was so wrong! I found out the kids had this special fire -- more like a drive you don't usually see in youth. After a while, you see where they get it. It comes from those coaches who pour their hearts and souls into the kids without giving them any slack. Excellence is obtained through hard work, and that is lesson number one in cheer. They also get it from the parents' support (although the kids won't tell you that).

I've been a cheer and hip hop dad going on four years now, and I've not only watched my girls rise, fall, laugh and cry, but I've also seen my peer group of parents do the same. We are a family, and have made friends for life, as I know my girls have. It's all been worth it.

I never feel more proud as a dad than when I see my girls hitting their routines, stunts and tumbling passes, and just having fun.

Christopher St. Laurent, Cheer and Hip Hop Dad

There's lots of hair and makeup to be done and glitter everywhere. Sometimes, it's a mad rush of confusion: hurry to the competition, make it through the venue (through a sea of peppy cheerleaders), try desperately to figure out which stage she's on.

I get there just in time to see some exuberant cheer coaches bouncing up and down supporting their team. Finally, I see my daughter's routine. I'm not exactly sure where she was in the routine, but I'm excited anyways. I'm not sure how to judge if they did well or not, but I say to myself, 'Hey, I think they did really good?' Then, it's 'Dad, let's get an overpriced smoothie drink!' I'm feeling really proud of my cheerleader, and then we take a selfie as we head out the door. In the end, $20 was worth it to see that big smile on my daughter's face…

Randy Tate, Veteran Cheer Dad

There were team practices two times a week with extra practice to get the routine just right; the individual practices to "tumble" properly. Then, there were the individual cheer events: 'DAD... I just have to do this, or my life will not be complete at the age of 10!' 

As a cheer dad, I went through the ups and downs of parenting a pre-adolescent teenager.

But the values your child gains from a great gym, a good coach and working in a team atmosphere... you'll gain tenfold back on all the resources you put in. To see your child have the confidence and character that many of her classmates lacked always let us know we made the right decision.

Hal Azufra, Cheer and Hip Hop Dad

Well, first of all, you have to have lots of patience -- that's for sure. I learned that everything takes time, from skills to choreography to competition events.

Secondly, you have to actually enjoy the sport. If you don't enjoy it or think highly of it, you won't encourage your kids to be involved in it.