The Great Cheerleading Debate
by Elizabeth Petruso
The combination of exhilaration and anxiety pumps through the cheerleader’s blood as she ascends into the air, like a bird, flipping and twisting as if the air was a pool of water that she could wade through without the fear of falling. Excitement transforms into fear as she hopes and prays she will be caught once the land meets her feet after four deceiving seconds in the air, though it feels like four hours. The cheerleader descends from her own world in the sky and returns to the ground below with a new perspective on life. The cheerleader not only showcases her skill and bravery in her tricks but also her athleticism. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an athlete is described as, “a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility or stamina” (“Athlete”). Grasping this fact causes question: are cheerleaders athletes? Why would they not be considered athletes? Cheerleading is a tiresome sport that, if executed correctly, is not for the faint of heart. Deserving of the title “athlete,” cheerleaders put themselves at risk for the sake of their craft, proving that cheerleading is a sport and contain every requirement of an athlete.
65 percent of injuries among female high school athletes are caused by cheerleading (Geier) These injuries include concussions, torn ACLs, and, if severe enough, paralysis or brain damage (Geier). These facts confirm that cheerleading is, in fact, dangerous and not just because the females stunting are clumsy. The truth behind the numerous cheerleading injuries is that the smiling faces cheering on the track are partaking in physically taxing skills, which are made possible with multiple hours of training and preparation. Cheerleaders are often seen flipping in the air and withholding the weight of another female above their heads for strenuous amounts of time, yet still do not receive recognition as athletes. Fans fail to comprehend the risk a flier faces while she is extended in the air. Girls who base a stunt also experience the fear of catching a falling body with their face, enhancing the possibility of broken noses and concussions. Due to the worrisome statistics of cheerleading injuries, the American Academy of Pediatrics now seriously encourages the NCAA to recognize cheerleading as a sport (Geier). Numbers obviously shine a light on the perilous and life-threatening situations cheerleaders put themselves in; however, some minds may require further information before determining if cheerleaders are athletes.
It is straightforward to say that if cheerleading is a sport than cheerleaders are athletes. Therefore, is cheerleading a sport? Currently, 29 high school athletic associations throughout the country consider cheerleading a sport and numerous U.S. colleges distribute cheerleading scholarships (“Treating Cheerleading”). Is gymnastics a sport? 98 percent of cheerleaders were former gymnasts, providing proof that cheerleaders are more than capable of athleticism (“Cheerleading History”). Some may argue that simply because a female used to be an athletic gymnast she is not automatically considered an athlete as a cheerleader. Popular orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, Dr. David Geier, declares, “...it doesn’t matter whether or not cheerleading was called a sport...I have always believed, though, that cheerleaders are athletes” (Geier). Dr. Geier along with many others, support the belief that cheerleaders possess impressives skills and deserve the respect and recognition granted to any other athlete. The main argument against the belief that cheerleading is a sport is the lack of competition, especially in high school. Cheer can be an extremely competitive sport, if done at a certain level, yet high school cheerleaders use their talent to promote other teams with their performance, not themselves. The fact that cheerleaders put other teams before themselves is the beauty of the sport (“Being a Cheerleader”). As explained with statistics, cheerleaders are clearly capable of competing and being named a sport, but they put competition after the priority of encouraging other teams (“Being a Cheerleader”). Cheerleaders typically do not gain acknowledgment as a sport but they still demonstrate their athleticism on the sidelines with an equal amount of spirit and dedication as compared to any sport on the field.
Think of a popular sports team. What are some of the requirements to be a part of that team? Uniforms, fitness, stamina, coaches, mental stability, physical ability, practice and game schedules, and teamwork are just a few of the necessities for a team. . Which of these do cheerleaders not possess? Cheerleaders possess every component needed to qualify as a team. Even stubborn heads, who refuse to believe that cheer is a sport, should not diminish the fact that cheerleaders should at least be considered as athletes. Uniforms are a familiar quality of an athletic tea. Cheerleaders are known for their distinct uniforms and bows. Both uniforms and bows spread school spirit. Teamwork, fitness, and physical ability are all crucial aspects of being able to stunt, especially when the flyer is being launched in the air. Each sport has its own obstacles that weeks of training to surpass. Though cheerleaders may not be competing in their half time routines, they put in just as much work as any football or soccer player for their games. Cheerleaders are still athletes who train and push themselves. They need to be seen as more than people with pom-poms who come to simply pep up a crowd.
If cheerleaders are not athletes, why are they required to pay an athletic fee? If cheerleaders are not athletes, why are they given athletic scholarships? Whether someone believes if cheerleading is a sport or not, it would be a lie if they said cheerleaders were not athletes. Cheerleaders fly into the sky to the point of serious injury, yet get up and proceed to perform. Cheerleading checks all the boxes that require other sports to have athletes. Finally, cheerleading works just as hard as any other sport; however, they still do not receive the recognition they deserve.
Works Cited
"Athlete.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/athlete.
“Being a Cheerleader - Is Cheerleading a Sport?” Varsity.com, www.varsity.com/news/being -a-cheerleader-is-cheerleading-a-sport/.
“Blogs.” Treating Cheerleading as a Sport, 1 Nov. 2013, www.edurisksolutions.org/ treating-cheerleading-as-a-sport/.
Geier, David. “Should We Consider Cheerleading a Sport?” Dr. David Geier - Sports Medicine Simplified, 28 Sept. 2017, www.drdavidgeier.com/cheerleading-sport-injuries-statistics/.
Ninemire, Valerie. "What Are Some Surprising Facts About Cheerleading History?” LiveAbout, LiveAbout, 4 Jan. 2019, www.liveabout.com/cheerleading-history-4080643.
Sandorffy, Kenny. “Can You Get a Scholarship for Cheerleading?” ScholarshipOwl, 17 July 2019, scholarshipowl.com/blog/apply-for-scholarships/can-you-get-a-scholarship-forcheerleading/.
by Elizabeth Petruso
The combination of exhilaration and anxiety pumps through the cheerleader’s blood as she ascends into the air, like a bird, flipping and twisting as if the air was a pool of water that she could wade through without the fear of falling. Excitement transforms into fear as she hopes and prays she will be caught once the land meets her feet after four deceiving seconds in the air, though it feels like four hours. The cheerleader descends from her own world in the sky and returns to the ground below with a new perspective on life. The cheerleader not only showcases her skill and bravery in her tricks but also her athleticism. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an athlete is described as, “a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility or stamina” (“Athlete”). Grasping this fact causes question: are cheerleaders athletes? Why would they not be considered athletes? Cheerleading is a tiresome sport that, if executed correctly, is not for the faint of heart. Deserving of the title “athlete,” cheerleaders put themselves at risk for the sake of their craft, proving that cheerleading is a sport and contain every requirement of an athlete.
65 percent of injuries among female high school athletes are caused by cheerleading (Geier) These injuries include concussions, torn ACLs, and, if severe enough, paralysis or brain damage (Geier). These facts confirm that cheerleading is, in fact, dangerous and not just because the females stunting are clumsy. The truth behind the numerous cheerleading injuries is that the smiling faces cheering on the track are partaking in physically taxing skills, which are made possible with multiple hours of training and preparation. Cheerleaders are often seen flipping in the air and withholding the weight of another female above their heads for strenuous amounts of time, yet still do not receive recognition as athletes. Fans fail to comprehend the risk a flier faces while she is extended in the air. Girls who base a stunt also experience the fear of catching a falling body with their face, enhancing the possibility of broken noses and concussions. Due to the worrisome statistics of cheerleading injuries, the American Academy of Pediatrics now seriously encourages the NCAA to recognize cheerleading as a sport (Geier). Numbers obviously shine a light on the perilous and life-threatening situations cheerleaders put themselves in; however, some minds may require further information before determining if cheerleaders are athletes.
It is straightforward to say that if cheerleading is a sport than cheerleaders are athletes. Therefore, is cheerleading a sport? Currently, 29 high school athletic associations throughout the country consider cheerleading a sport and numerous U.S. colleges distribute cheerleading scholarships (“Treating Cheerleading”). Is gymnastics a sport? 98 percent of cheerleaders were former gymnasts, providing proof that cheerleaders are more than capable of athleticism (“Cheerleading History”). Some may argue that simply because a female used to be an athletic gymnast she is not automatically considered an athlete as a cheerleader. Popular orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, Dr. David Geier, declares, “...it doesn’t matter whether or not cheerleading was called a sport...I have always believed, though, that cheerleaders are athletes” (Geier). Dr. Geier along with many others, support the belief that cheerleaders possess impressives skills and deserve the respect and recognition granted to any other athlete. The main argument against the belief that cheerleading is a sport is the lack of competition, especially in high school. Cheer can be an extremely competitive sport, if done at a certain level, yet high school cheerleaders use their talent to promote other teams with their performance, not themselves. The fact that cheerleaders put other teams before themselves is the beauty of the sport (“Being a Cheerleader”). As explained with statistics, cheerleaders are clearly capable of competing and being named a sport, but they put competition after the priority of encouraging other teams (“Being a Cheerleader”). Cheerleaders typically do not gain acknowledgment as a sport but they still demonstrate their athleticism on the sidelines with an equal amount of spirit and dedication as compared to any sport on the field.
Think of a popular sports team. What are some of the requirements to be a part of that team? Uniforms, fitness, stamina, coaches, mental stability, physical ability, practice and game schedules, and teamwork are just a few of the necessities for a team. . Which of these do cheerleaders not possess? Cheerleaders possess every component needed to qualify as a team. Even stubborn heads, who refuse to believe that cheer is a sport, should not diminish the fact that cheerleaders should at least be considered as athletes. Uniforms are a familiar quality of an athletic tea. Cheerleaders are known for their distinct uniforms and bows. Both uniforms and bows spread school spirit. Teamwork, fitness, and physical ability are all crucial aspects of being able to stunt, especially when the flyer is being launched in the air. Each sport has its own obstacles that weeks of training to surpass. Though cheerleaders may not be competing in their half time routines, they put in just as much work as any football or soccer player for their games. Cheerleaders are still athletes who train and push themselves. They need to be seen as more than people with pom-poms who come to simply pep up a crowd.
If cheerleaders are not athletes, why are they required to pay an athletic fee? If cheerleaders are not athletes, why are they given athletic scholarships? Whether someone believes if cheerleading is a sport or not, it would be a lie if they said cheerleaders were not athletes. Cheerleaders fly into the sky to the point of serious injury, yet get up and proceed to perform. Cheerleading checks all the boxes that require other sports to have athletes. Finally, cheerleading works just as hard as any other sport; however, they still do not receive the recognition they deserve.
Works Cited
"Athlete.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/athlete.
“Being a Cheerleader - Is Cheerleading a Sport?” Varsity.com, www.varsity.com/news/being -a-cheerleader-is-cheerleading-a-sport/.
“Blogs.” Treating Cheerleading as a Sport, 1 Nov. 2013, www.edurisksolutions.org/ treating-cheerleading-as-a-sport/.
Geier, David. “Should We Consider Cheerleading a Sport?” Dr. David Geier - Sports Medicine Simplified, 28 Sept. 2017, www.drdavidgeier.com/cheerleading-sport-injuries-statistics/.
Ninemire, Valerie. "What Are Some Surprising Facts About Cheerleading History?” LiveAbout, LiveAbout, 4 Jan. 2019, www.liveabout.com/cheerleading-history-4080643.
Sandorffy, Kenny. “Can You Get a Scholarship for Cheerleading?” ScholarshipOwl, 17 July 2019, scholarshipowl.com/blog/apply-for-scholarships/can-you-get-a-scholarship-forcheerleading/.