Is Cheerleading a Sport?
I agree that there is a lot of controversy and there is a difference between cheerleaders who basically clap for boys sports and ones that go out and perform in competitions, but a point that needs emphasizing since so many people believe that cheerleading shouldn’t be considered a sport when it requires such a huge athletic ability, high risk of injury, and strength. Kirby, who doesn’t consider cheerleading a sport is right that the fundamental core of cheerleading is its girls clapping for boys sports, which it use to be, but we need to reassess the popular assumption that there are so many different types of cheerleading that you can’t categorize it all into one category. The two main types of cheerleading is competitive and school (spirit squads) . Typically, a cheerleading squad at a high school, middle school or recreation level focuses on the basic fundamentals of cheer; for example, cheers, chants, basic technique, and has a lot of pride and spirit for their team. On the other hand, competitive cheerleading is way different. Each week girls from different areas of the state comes together for 2-3 hours, 3 days a week to perfect a two minute and thirty second jam-packed routine that consists of difficult stunts, tumbling, dance, and jumps. These routines are made to impress everyone at competitions and show people how athletic these girls really are. The major differences between competitive cheer and spirit squads are that they don’t have to perform a cheer on the competition floor or have to cheer for anyone but themselves.
A few years ago, my coach who also coaches for Quinnipiac University started a competitive team at a college level. Because of this the school cut the funds for the volleyball team, this upset the coaches very much and the volleyball team sued Quinnipiac and the cheerleading team and demanded the money for their team. Their excuse was that cheerleading is not a sport and shouldn’t get any funds. At the court hearing they said that cheerleading was not a sport because it is still too “underdeveloped” and not “organized” enough. That later they will reconsider it. So under Title IV cheerleading is still not recognized as a sport.
Here is a little news clip about Quinnipiac and their journey to become a sport.
http://xfinity.comcast.net/video/Judge–Cheerleading-Not-a-Sport/1549227068/
A few years ago, my coach who also coaches for Quinnipiac University started a competitive team at a college level. Because of this the school cut the funds for the volleyball team, this upset the coaches very much and the volleyball team sued Quinnipiac and the cheerleading team and demanded the money for their team. Their excuse was that cheerleading is not a sport and shouldn’t get any funds. At the court hearing they said that cheerleading was not a sport because it is still too “underdeveloped” and not “organized” enough. That later they will reconsider it. So under Title IV cheerleading is still not recognized as a sport.
Here is a little news clip about Quinnipiac and their journey to become a sport.
http://xfinity.comcast.net/video/Judge–Cheerleading-Not-a-Sport/1549227068/