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Today's Poll: Should cheerleading be designated an interscholastic sport

By Howard B. Owens
Ed Hartgrove

So, if the cheerleading becomes an official sport, you'll then have a sport whose main "goal" is to inspire another sport?

And, how would 'scoring' be done for their new sport? Would a meeting after each baseball, basketball or football game be held, to have the spectators vote on which cheerleading team did better?

Maybe it's me, but things just seemed easier when I was growing up. Guys were the ones with the tattoos, girls were the dress and skirt wearers, and cheerleaders were, well, cheer leaders.

Apr 28, 2014, 8:25am Permalink
Jason Crater

It's a shame people don't willingly accept their pre-defined gender roles, eh Ed?

Cheerleading squads frequently go to competitions that are well outside of supporting other sports. In those competitions, squads are scored based on their choreography and aerial maneuvers and graded against other squads.

It's not so different than gymnastics. If I'm correct, gymnastics is widely recognized as a sport.

Apr 28, 2014, 8:30am Permalink
tim raines

It's not much different than gymnastics?

Thousands of women receive college scholarships for gymnastics.

Has anyone, anywhere, received a scholarship for cheerleading?

If cheerleading is defined as a "sport" and athletic budgets are cut, it will be the first to go.

Apr 28, 2014, 10:03am Permalink
George Richardson

I'm sure that is right. A friend and co-worker traveled with his family from Texas to California one year because his daughter was on a High School Drill Team called the Reagan High School Texsuns. She got a scholarship and I am 99% sure it was an NCAA event that they traveled to.
I don't think it belongs in the Olympics, though.

Apr 28, 2014, 12:54pm Permalink
Bea McManis

The cheerleaders, and I might add, the color guard units, are athletes. They put in the time, endure injuries, and work just as hard as other school sport teams. Did you know that Winter Guard is known as the Sport of the Arts?

Why not Google the videos for both cheerleading and winter guard. You will be surprised by the athleticism displayed.

Apr 28, 2014, 1:51pm Permalink
Frank Penna Jr

Cheerleading competitions have been going on for years. BHS has had many winning squads. They've traveled to R.I.T. and many area high schools to compete. I'm sure they've even travelled out of state. So what's all the fuss ... it's keeping students busy with an activity.

Apr 28, 2014, 1:38pm Permalink
Christopher Putnam

All high school sports should be cut until we close the learning gap. You can be dumb as a box of rocks, and still get through high school and college if your a sports star. Thats bullshit.

Apr 28, 2014, 2:08pm Permalink
George Richardson

Rick Perry was Cheer Squad leader at an all boys school. I think he would make a wonderful President of a Sorority Club somewhere, someday. Watch for him in 2016 and remember what I said in 2014.

Apr 28, 2014, 3:58pm Permalink

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