Derek is not just a coach to us - he is a cornerstone of our community in Big Lake, MN. As the Minnesota Jets Coach, he has dedicated himself to the success of our cheerleading team from day one. Derek has been the backbone of the Minnesota Jets, literally building the foundation from brick to glory in competitions but also as individuals, inspiring each one to reach their potential, both on and off the mat, His ability to instill discipline, teamwork, and joy in the sport is unparalleled. Losing Derek as our coach means losing part of the soul of our team. His absence has left a palpable void in our community.

The success and spirit of the Minnesota Jets are a testament to his vision and leadership. Derek understands and embodies what it means to be a Jet, giving each member the courage to fly higher than ever before. Reinstating him as our coach would not just benefit our cheerleaders, but also strengthen our community and maintain the legacy he started.

By signing this petition, we urge the decision-makers to reconsider and bring Coach Derek back to where he belongs - with our team, guiding us to future victories and helping every athlete on our team become the best version of themselves. Let's support a leader who has always supported us, letting passion and talent thrive under his guidance. 

 

Here are some words from the Minnesota Jets cheerleaders themselves: 

Sakara M - 
”I wanted to talk to all of you and write this because my dad and coach always said I was a good writer and always told me to write my thoughts down. I wanted the say that I'm not going against your decision and i'm not mad about his decision.
I want to express my feelings about it. I know this was his decision also, but it was also your guys.
I was with him every step of the way and watched him build this team. I helped him pick out themes every year. I watched him get excited every year to start a new season. From the worn down soccer club, to the school, to our own gym he worked so hard for. I feel as his daughter that he took me in as his own that I should repay him by making this team as best as it can be. I feel I have all the weight on my shoulders because I want to hold it to his standards. I don't think anybody realizes how much effort he put into this team. 
He would get excited when we hit a new skill. He would always be the first one to cheer the loudest on the side lines.
He would never get upset when things went wrong. He accepted us for who we all were, never said he was disappointed in us. I can't say I don't accept what's going on because I don't, I know it's not anybodys fault. 
   I watched derek build this team brick by brick and slowly watch him get voted out of his own coaching position. I feel bad and so do the girls that were here  season one. All we did was complain and now that he's gone, all I feel is guilt because he tried his best for us and always wanted us to feel happy. He wanted our routine to be the best and wanted our team to be the best that it could be. Now I realize why our routine kept changing because we kept asking for that. Frankie is an amazing coach. She is the best coach she can be but something is missing, someone is missing.  I've seen that Frankie did not have a smile on her face like she normally does at practice. It was not Warm and fuzzy. Frankie cannot carry all of that on her back. Frankie is a really strong woman and  coach, also a loving mother to her children.
I love every single one of my teammates. I love every single one of my coaches. I admit i had thoughts about stepping away but I can't do that because I need to continue what Derek created with all these amazing people that joined us over the years. That's what the MN JETS pledge stands for. If by any chance he can come back and he's willing to come back. I would love to have coach back. I can no longer go home and hug him after practice and say how well it went because I had to go back with my adoptive mom. He will forever be my father and my coach in my heart. I am a cheerleader that Is very dedicated to my sport and I never want to let my teammates down or my coaches. I've been with derek since big lake and the first year of The Jets.  I have watched my team grow. For the first time, I'm not sure what's to come, so I'm trusting you guys. My whole life I had to carry the weight on my shoulders from all all the foster homes I have been in I took care of myself and my siblings. I'm not putting words in anybody's mouth, or mad, at anybody in this. I'm voicing my feelings and hoping my coach can come back, thank you.”
Sakara Minnick- 

Natalie R - 

”I haven’t been a MN Jets cheerleader for long but I do know that derek nelson has treated all of us with nothing but kindness and shown us courage through out our choreo, our camps, fundraisers everything, when we thought we were doomed he showed us that no matter what happens, its all going to work out. Now we don’t have that closure, Derek built me back up from the washed up dancer I was, to a real hard working cheerleader, he noticed my good days and he pulled me assigned to ask whats wrong on my bad days. He noticed the small things in all of us, Our different grips, the way we take corrections, which stunt groups we perfered and he tried to make it the best experience for all of us. He does this because he truly cares about the girls doing the routine not just how it looks or our capabilities. I always counted on derick to make our routines, cheers, fundraisers & even stretches the best of the best and he seceded every time. I have faith and trust in Frankie and I hope she does well with our team this year and many years to come.”

Jemyriah Y - 

“This is my first year on the MN Jets team and I felt so welcome. The first Coach I had met was Derek Nelson but he was more than just a coach. He was family and you guys parting ways with him has changed the dynamic on the team. Everything's different. Nothing has been same and we miss our Coach. It's very unfortunate that you guys have parted ways, but we want our Coach back. Nothing is the same without him. I almost left the team because I didn't think I was good enough, but Derek pushed me a little harder and he made me more confident more comfortable with doing things I would never do. He made me the cheerleader I am and without him I feel like somethings missing Francesca is a good coach, but she's not Derek without Derek there will always be a missing part.”

Jemiryah

 

Olivia H - 

“Derek has been coaching me for 4 years and those four years/seasons were the best ones ever. Whenever someone was having a bad day, he would be there to talk about it and try to make what ever he could better so that nothing bad would happen. He always cared about you no matter what and if you did something bad he would talk to you so you could over come it. He was the light in every room, the smile everyone loved, and most importantly he was the person anyone could come to. I remember my first year when I had a really bad time with leaving my mom to go to practice so one day I came in and tried to quit, I even brung my bow and was ready to quit. When he saw me he sat me down and asked me what was making me wanna quit, I drew a blank bc all I could think of what that I was scared. I didn’t quit, I would never quit, he is the one thing that kept me on this team no matter what happened. Ever since he got voted off i was in disbelief, the gym has been quiet and there is a lot less smiling He was always the one yelling and cheering when we hit smth knew and hard, the one who taught the right way how to do smth, and he NEVER yelled at you if u were doing smth wrong. If he isn’t allowed back idk when we will all get the spark back that we had before. Francesca is an amazing coach and no hate or anything we just want our Coach back.”

Olivia Hohman

 

Elizabeth D - 

“I met Derek during a period of time where I felt defeated in the Cheer world. I didn’t feel good enough, I didnt feel like I had the support I needed, and most of all I didn’t have a Coach that really saw my talent. at the end of my freshman year at high school I decided to leave my school‘s cheer team to join Derek team with the Minnesota Jets. with that came great change and coming from a place where I hadn’t had a great experience from. I had a very hard time adjusting to the Jets. I would message Derek telling him I couldn’t come to things over the summer because I’d be busy when in reality, I was just nervous about what was gonna come there. However, I shouldn’t have been nervous but overjoyed with what was to come. even though I’ve been trying to avoid it, Derek  was always messaging me asking me when I was gonna be there. there is a time I significantly remember I had came to a practice and was having a hard day that day, but I didn’t think anybody had noticed because not a lot eyes around me being the new girl. however, I return home to a message from Derek pointing out that he could tell that something was wrong. He immediately saw through the walls that were surrounding me, trying to block anyone from seeing that something was wrong. many times after practices I’d receive texts from him, saying how proud he is of me and how exceptional of a job I’ve been doing. those texts were what I looked forward to every practice and what made me keep coming to practices because I enjoyed the fact that he was proud of me. I always knew that after I got home I was likely to have a message from him telling me that I did a good job or that he was proud of me. and I’m sure he did that with many other cheerleaders as well and I know that probably meant a lot to them as well too. Knowing that there was always a support system on the other side of the phone and it being somebody that was there to listen and try their best to understand. Derek has made me into such a different person than how I used to be. I am much more confident within my sport and within myself and there is nobody that could’ve helped me but Derek. He’s let me cry to him and he’s let me be mad at him. somehow he always knows the right things to say to you. His support as a coach was one of favorites things about him, but my favorite is how good of a person he is. He’s always willing to help out and be there for anyone in need. Kids thrive under Derek’s coaching and his dedication that he has put into this program. Derek leaving should’ve never been on the table. He is the voice and the heart of the Minnesota Jets.”
  - Liz