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 Cheerleading:
Sport vs. Activity
By Heather Jeffries, M.P.A
Most cheerleaders say “YES”
while state and school officials say “no.” According
to the National Federation of High School Athletic Associations,
seventeen to twenty states of the United States consider cheerleading
a sport. Why is the question, “Is cheerleading
a sport?” such a controversial issue to anyone not involved
with the sport? According to MSN Encarta, the definition of sport
is an individual or group competitive activity involving physical
exertion or skill, governed by rules, and sometimes engaged in professionally.
Because cheerleading follows every aspect defined under the word
sport, it is my belief that cheerleadi ng
should be defined as an actual sport.
The word cheerleader no longer means a sideline of squads that
exist solely to support other sporting teams. Cheer teams are teams
in their own right. College and high school cheer teams compete
for national titles just as football, basketball, baseball, etc.
Cheerleaders are recruited for college scholarships that have been
known to exceed amounts awarded to other sports teams. Some cheer
teams put in more hours in the gym than teams such as football and
basketball. Cheerleaders have to be in just as good physical condition
as any other sport participant.
Cheerleading in the early years was nothing like the sport it is
today. Over the past few decade cheerleading has evolved from leading
audiences with simple arm movements to treacherous towers of humans
and elaborate dances that are used to show the athleticism of cheerleaders.
Cheerleading has developed from selections based on popularity to
one that now claims some of the more talented athletes in the school/program.
Cheerleaders are not seen as athletes, but seen as being athletic.
Cheerleaders are very specialized athletes. Most do not understand
the skill and athleticism required by cheerleading. The gymnastics
ability, power and strength make cheerleaders some of the more wellrounded
athletes in sports. Cheerleading not only teaches coordination and
helps condition competitors, but it also teaches teamwork, leadership,
communication skills, organizational skills, productivity and much
more.
Cheerleading contributes to the overall physical fitness of those
involved. Many teams are in the gym four to six days a week working
out, practicing, stretching and conditioning for upcoming performances
or competitions. Running increases one’s lung power and endurance.
Stretching, jumping, taking gymnastics and aerobics all help keep
the body toned and healthy. So as you can see, cheerleading practice
and workouts are much like those of other sports.
When it comes to funding issues, the sport of cheerleading is not
equally supported. Monies are contributed to sports that do not
consistently perform well. Cheer teams that do perform well usually
do not receive the monetary compensations for their performances.
Scholarships, donations from alumni, and extra funding to the school
rarely get distributed to the cheer programs. Programs known for
winning national titles over several years occasionally receive
monies. I believe this occurs only once the administration realizes
the need to keep those athletes in their program. Cheerleading does
not bring the revenue to schools like football games; however, the
publicity that some cheer teams contribute to the school can be
profitable in other ways.
As a former cheerleader myself, I remember having long and strenuous
practices which seemed to last forever. Because my life was so into
cheerleading, I did and still consider cheerleading a sport. I have
always told people who I’ve talked to about cheerleading that
I consider it to be a sport. After being exposed to the competitiveness
of cheerleading, I stand stronger behind my beliefs in the sport
of cheerleading.
Being a co-owner and one of the head coaches for Clarksville Cheer
Extreme, an all star cheerleading gym in Clarksville, Tennessee,
I see the importance of the kids being in excellent physical condition.
Most competition routines are 2 1/2 minutes in length of non-stop
activity including jumping, running, tumbling, stunting and yelling.
T wo
and one half minutes does not seem to be long, but for someone out
of shape, it could be a lifetime. Our teams spend three months of
their summer break conditioning and preparing for the upcoming competition
season. The workout programs are intense and very much like other
sports teams. Several exercises we use came from other sports workout
programs.
Cheerleading a sport. Yes! If sports are defined as competitive
activity involving physical exertion or skill, cheerleading has
to be considered a sport. Because cheerleaders constantly put forth
time, effort and dedication, it is hard for most to understand why
the question has to be asked, “Is this a sport?” This
question has been the cause for several all-star gyms to be created.
Schools could not offer the competitiveness that several cheerleaders
wanted to be a part of; therefore, all star gyms have been opened
around the country to help the survival of competitive cheerleading
and the sport of cheerleading.
Heather Jeffries is the Co-Owner/Head Coach CCE of the Panther
All Stars in Clarksville, Tennessee.
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