Carissa Stamm 26 November 2013 Is Competition Cheerleading a Sport?

Sports: an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature (dictionary.com). So, why cant competition cheerleading be a sport? This topic is very controversial. Normally the only people who defend the matter is cheerleaders themselves, and the outsiders give judgment based on the perception given by movies. Some may deny that competition is a sport, but do they know what we go through to make fifteen (plus more) girls hit a two minute and thirty-second routine perfect? Yeah, its difficult. If people would take into consideration how much time and effort it takes, and watched our routines, maybe opinions would change. Cheerleading is a sport, and puts in just as much time as other sports; if not more. According to The Womens Sports Foundation there is four basic principles that tell whether the activity is a sport or not. The activity must be physical, and involves propelling a mass that overcomes the resistance of mass -Stunting (Lauchaire). The activity your trying to prove a sport also has to be competing against an opponent - Competition (Lauchaire). It should be governed by rules-time, space, and regulations as to why the winner wins - Time limit: 2.30, mat size, score sheets (Lauchaire). Lastly, but certainly not least, there should be acknowledgment that the primary purpose of the competition is a comparison of skills National Championships on ESPN (Lauchaire). Not to mention Waynesville High School cheer will be on ESPN, February 9, 2014. Cheerleading is by far one of the most dangerous role for female athletes, yet girls who suffer concussions often don't recognize theyre injured (Hensley). But think about it, you

throw and girl in the air, and when she comes down; she lands on your head; you keep going. Later you develop a headache and you feel sick to your stomach, but who thinks of a concussion? Normally its just PMS or youre just sick. The Journal of Pediatrics noted the increase of Hospital emergency visits by cheerleaders who are in competition. In 1980 there was 4,954 cheerleaders who entered the ER. But in 2007 the amount of cheerleaders raised to 26,786. That is a huge increase! What is even worse is thirty-seven percent had concussions, and didnt even notice. But take into consideration the skill level increase, which is a logical explanation for the raise that has occurred. According to statistics 6% of all cheerleaders injuries are concussions due to impact to the head. But doctors rely on them to evaluate themselves, so normally they return to activity without question if they are in good enough health to handle the pressures being put on them (Soltis). Sure, I get it Cheerleading is cheering on people who play sports (debate.org). In some ways that is correct. We spend Friday nights either on the track or on the court cheering on the boys (or girls), hoping to lead them to a great win. Do we make a difference? Thats a personal opinion, but time is still given into preparing the cheers that are shouted. But just because you see cheerleaders doing that because you're there for the sport playing, doesn't mean there isn't more to our sport. Competition teams approximately spend three days a week, for two hours perfecting a routine that will soon be under judgment (personal experience), and thats on top of the practice for games, the games, and competitions. We are just as busy as every other sport. Cheerleaders put their full heart into what they do just like everyone else. Do you think football players experience the harsh comments and no support? No, they dont, but cheerleaders do. It just isnt fair. Cheerleaders put 110% into everything do for not only themselves, but also the community; just to be put down and not have their hard work be recognized. People build

their perception about cheer based off the movie sequel Bring it On. The movies show cheerleaders constantly in drama, acting like fools, and looking pretty. Not only those things, but also just cheering for the popularity spot (personal experience). All points said by people are valid in their eyes, which is understandable because thats all they see. Mary Alice Carr, a former cheerleader, said that recognition as an official sport would help to ensure safety and coaching standards (Maya). The statement is true. The more cheerleading is encouraged through the states, the more difficult it is starting to become. Stunts are increased in level of difficulty, tumbling is becoming more at risk for damage (if someone falls). The goal is to get NCAA to recognize the sport, so there can be proper training to build the strength; muscle and endurance wise for this competitive sport (Maya). If people would put in the effort to understand they may see what competition cheerleaders go through. Cheerleading is just like any other sport: you work hard, put in time, and give it your all. Some girls and/ boys have the biggest dreams in the cheerleading world, but is it really fair to discourage them? Whats the difference in dreaming of winning State in football and winning State in cheerleading? There isnt a difference. Before you make the judgment, consider the time it takes and the effort given. Respect is earned and there are plenty of teams that get it by doing what they are supposed to do and by being good role models said by, Jim Lord- Executive Director of AACCA (American Association. of Cheerleading coaches and Administrators) (Lauchaire). No cheerleader expects you to love what they do, and to be at every competition to support; all they ask is for respect. You may think its not a sport, but keep it to yourself because its our passion, and at the end of the day thats all that matters.

Works Cited

Maya. "Competitive Cheerleading May Be Recognized as an Official Sport." Weblog post. Competitive Cheerleading May Be Recognized as an Official Sport. N.p., 24 May 2011. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. Hensley, Scott. "Doctors to Vote On Whether Cheerleading Is A Sport." NPR. NPR, 14 June 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. "Is Cheerleading a Sport?" The Premier Online Debate Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. Lauchaire, Nicole. "Being a Cheerleader - Is Cheerleading a Sport?" Is Cheerleading a Sport? Varsity, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. Soltis, Andy. "Cheerleading Most Dangerous Sport For females." New York Post Cheerleading Most Dangerous Sport Forfemales Comments. N.p., 13 Sept. 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.