Just about everyone in Tallassee is familiar with PrimeTime Athletics, a cheerleading and gymnastics facility located on Highway 49 at the Herron’s Crossroads intersection. The cheer and gymnastics company has made quite a name for itself in the two years of operation and it was recently announced owner Rodney O’Neal would soon take his skills to Eclectic.
O’Neal is originally from Reeltown. He is a former Troy University cheerleader; he graduated in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. O’Neal will receive his masters degree this July in the same field.
O’Neal has always had a special place in his heart for children and has been active in the Tallassee community since he returned to start his business in April 2016.
“I love being able to teach children, whether it is in the classroom or at the gym,” O’Neal said. “Seeing them accomplish their goals and make milestones lights a fire within me that I can’t explain.”
Along with hosting various fundraisers to aid those in need, performing at community events, serving on the Chamber of Commerce and being a former educator at Southside Middle School, O’Neal has been adamant about bringing a change to this area.
Recently he partnered with Jacie Williams, owner of Jacie’s School of Dance and a former Tallassee graduate, to expand his tumbling services to Eclectic and surrounding areas. That partnership resulted in Elmore County High School contracting him to work with the cheerleading squad there as well as other youth in their community.
O’Neal currently has an estimated 70 students at his home location and almost 40 students in Eclectic where he teaches one day per week at Jacie’s Dance Dynamics.
O’Neal hopes this new class will offer children in the area additional recreational activities to participate in.
“I am a firm believer that if you give children something to do then they are less likely to find something to do that might result in them being in trouble,” he said.
PrimeTime Athletics teaches all skills from basic handstands and backbends up to advanced back handsprings, tucks, layouts and fulls. All of these are skills sought out by collegiate cheer squads. There are four levels to the class — beginning, intermediate, accelerated and advanced.
“Advanced is my favorite because I get to see all the skills combine to result in perfect execution,” O’Neal said.
O’Neal said he is excited and honored to make this next move in his professional career and is anxious to see what the future holds for him at ECHS.
“I am blessed to have seen my dream become a reality in such a short length of time,” he said. “This community has been very supportive of PrimeTime Athletics in the past and I hope they will continue to support us in the future.”
