Cheering is not considered a sport.

I think the physical aspects of cheering--the flips, holding another cheerleader up in the air, etc--would qualify it as a sport.  The old cheerleaders where they just waved their hands up and down--no.  But it is so different--physically challenging and demanding--that it should be classified as a sport.

Did I understand the article correctly though?  That the school felt it had to choose between cheerleading and volley ball because of Title IX?  I would think either sport would qualify for Title IX...

Missy is gonna die when she reads this....  ;-)

I dunno, the cheer leaders of my generation did nothing but wear skimpy clothes and jump up and down.  

I think the ones that throw and do flips and stuff, is in the gymnastics "range" and that is def a sport.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by bananabellesmom 

Missy is gonna die when she reads this....  ;-)

 

I was thinking the same thing, especially since it happened in Connecticut.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bananabellesmom 

Missy is gonna die when she reads this....  ;-)

 

I dunno, the cheer leaders of my generation did nothing but wear skimpy clothes and jump up and down.  

 

I think the ones that throw and do flips and stuff, is in the gymnastics "range" and that is def a sport.  

Hahaha I already read it.  The article came out a few days ago. 

Here are MY thoughts. I 'kinda' understand why its not a sport.  to qualify for a sport, you have a contest between teams, an offense and a defense. Cheerleading does not use an offense or a defense when we compete.

HOWEVER, the physical aspect is very demanding and that is the part that bothers me as to not being qualified as a sport.  College cheerleaders are stronger than gymnasts and have more endurance that soccer players.  We start training these girls very young and use many many safety precautions to prevent injury. We often train with dancers, AND Gymnasts.  Gymanstics qualifies as a sport, cheerleading is a combination of both dance, gymnastics, and amazing stunts.   These girls work HARD, and I think its kinda insulting to say its not a sport.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missystuy 

Here are MY thoughts. I 'kinda' understand why its not a sport.  to qualify for a sport, you have a contest between teams, an offense and a defense. Cheerleading does not use an offense or a defense when we compete.

Is that the definition the high court is using? (there wasn't much info) What about track & field, or gymnastics, or swimming?  Those are all see-who-is-better competitions, not offense/defense, and gymnastics is just as subjectively judged as cheerleading. Why they were trying to get rid of volleyball in the first place? Budget cuts?

Can't they just let boys on the cheerleading team? Or is it girls only?

Cheerleading is definatly NOT girls only, boys are always welcome and encouraged.  We love when we have boys on our team, they tend to be more flexible, have higher jumps, and create bigger stunts.  When you get the High school and college level there are different  catagories, co ed and girls only. In our  conference, it doesn't matter if you have a co ed team as opposed to a girls only team. But I know when you go to nationals, they will split you up according to how many boys are on your team.

So I'm not quite sure of the particulars in this specific case but in general thats how it works.

But good point on track and field, they don't use an offense or defense either so I'm not sure why thats classified as a sport then.
 

ETA: I just checked the article and now I remember this particular case.  The problem was that eliminating the girls vollyball team means that there will be only a boys team, and according to tiltle IX, you have to  offer a girls team as well as a boys team.  (i don't know how this doesnt apply to football, but girls can play football if they chose I suppose)  The cheerleading team welcomes boys, so  by those standards, you don't have to offer another team.