“5, 6, 7, 8! SCR*W this, I didn’t sign up for spirit fingers” Eliza Dushku – Missy Pantone from the original BRING IT ON.
Many people believe that cheerleading is a bunch of girls and/or guys jumping around and yelling cheers which draws the conclusion that cheerleading is not a sport. I, myself have been apart of cheerleading for 9 years. Through experience I definitely consider cheerleading a sport and take the opposing statement very offensive. My thought behind the entire dilemma is that if you haven’t done something, how would you know what it is like and if it can even be considered a sport or not?
Ponder on this question for a quick second; Does anyone out there know the definition of a sport? Whether yes or no, here is the correct definition of a sport:
- A physical activity which involves propelling a mass through space or overcoming the resistance of a mass.
^ Throwing girls into the air and catching them, preventing them from hitting the ground.
- Contesting or competing against or with an opponent.
^ Cheerleading competitions happen all over the United States.
- Governed by the rules which explicitly define the time, space and purpose of the contest and the conditions under which a winner is declared.
^ There is many scheduled events for cheerleading, and there are multiple judges there to select a winner based upon many rules. The purpose of the contest, well that would be the same for every other sport, to determine the best team/squad.
Cheerleading seems to fit the criteria of what a sport should be enough when it comes to it being a sport but some still feel the need to argue this statement. So much in fact that the case of cheerleading being considered a sport got brought to court. The fuss began when funding was cut at Quinnipiac University and volleyball was replaced with a competitive cheerleading squad. The volleyball team was expectantly very upset and sued the school because of a law that stated that every sports team needs to receive equal funding. Now let me point out the fact that the volleyball team was not upset because cheerleading was “not a sport” but because of equality. In the conclusion of the whole case, U.S District Judge Stefan Underhill in Connecticut ruled in favor of the volleyball players because of two simple facts in these two statements from Judge Underhill himself.
- “I conclude as a matter of law that Quinnipiac University discriminated on the basis of sex during the 2009-10 academic years by failing to provide equal athletic participation opportunities for women.”
- Cheerleading is too “underdeveloped and disorganized to be treated as offering genuine varsity athletic opportunities for students.”
Although the judge made this ruling there were other arguments on this subject and cheerleading was eventually “allowed” to be recognized as a sport under restrictions that every other sport has:
- transfer rules, limited practice time, fundraising restrictions and limits on competition travel and participation in national competitions
Now even as these actions took place, some complications were faced. Funding had not been raised for cheerleading so it was not possible for the organization to keep up with these restrictions. Once again, cheerleading will be fighting for its right to be a sport.
Honestly I do not understand why there is such a big predicament over the title of something. That’s all it is, a title, a name, a category, an identification. How is that hurting anyone? So instead of just changing a name for a little respect towards cheerleading, The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators placed the sport in a new developing category called “athletic activity.” REALLY! Sounds like another name for the word sport and seems like a SMACK in the face for cheerleading. Not just an activity, but not a sport. It’s like saying “here you can be in between so that you all will shut up about it because you will never be a sport.”
Now to take it down just a notch, lets talk a little about a statement that some people, including myself, use when confronted with the statement “cheerleading is not a sport.” “Cheerleading is the most dangerous sport/”athletic activity”.” Did you know that it requires the strength of a football player, the grace of a dancer and the agility and better physical condition than gymnastics? Or that it obtains a higher rate of injuries than football? More precisely 50% of sports injuries happen in cheerleading.(Quick fun not to throw out there, notice how the fact said “sports injuries.” Hmm….?!) This was stated by Dr.Sally Harris, a sports medicine and pediatrics specialist, Palo Alto Medical Foundation. In 2001, 25,000 hospital visits were recorded for cheer injuries to the neck, head, ankle and shoulder. A big contribution to this drastic cause of injury brings us right back to our almighty statement, “cheerleading is not a sport.” Due to the fact that people think it is not a sport inadequate coaches, practicing supplies and knowledge of cheerleading is not supplied so accidents are prone to happen. The lack of support leaves people to believe that it is just a harmless on the side line pep rally type of event. The dangers of cheerleading are not recognized in any way.
I believe that I have made myself clear on why cheerleading IS a sport. If you are still not convinced then I advise you to go and try it yourself. The facts are all here, and the respect, I believe, is owed. Maybe the video below will give you visual proof of what cheer practices, and competitions are really like.
Thanks, I'm out. M.T.C
