Cheerleading

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Recommended: Is cheerleading a sport

"It's been phenomenal. Better than I ever expected, within five years, this is going to be the norm just because it makes sense,” says head coach at University of Maryland, Lura Fleece, when referring to the sport of cheerleading (Drehs). Although cheerleading has developed into a thriving activity, with determined athletes, demanding practice hours, and astounding bravery most of the world still does not give it the credit it deserves in the world of sports. In the past 20 years, the activity has developed into a worldwide, athletic phenomenon with competitive events of its own across the nation; starting in the United States.

Merriam Webster dictionary defines sport as an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature. Cheerleading meets all the requirements to be considered a sport according to Women’s Sport Foundation; except the requirement that the primary purpose is to compete against other teams (Hoskinson). Some colleges have altered their cheerleading programs so that they meet this requirement and can reap the benefits like other college true sports teams (Drehs).In order to help the sport progress colleges should divide the teams into a spirit squad and a competitive squad. This division would allow colleges to benefit in several ways such as: the coaches would have the ability to recruit athletes, the competitive squad would have advantages of other sports teams, and college cheerleading would continue to be one of the fastest growing activities in America.

In July of 2003 the University of Maryland became the first Division 1-A school to recognize competitive cheerleading as a sport (Drehs). The program has two different teams, one that cheers only at football and basketba...

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...rts.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=drehs/040316>.

Hoskinson, Kristin. "Cheerleading As a Sport." American Association of Cheerleading Coaches & Administrators . AACCA, 2008-2009. Web. 12 Jan 2012. .

Maurer, Tracy Nelson. "Competitive Cheerleading." Competitive Cheerleading (9781595155016) (2006): 4-48. Book Collection: Nonfiction. Web. 24 Jan. 2012

"Sports." USA Today. USA Today, 4/26/2002. Web. 9 Feb 2012.
Thomas, Katie. "Born on Sideline, Cheering Clamors to Be Sport." Sports. The New York Times, 05/22/2011. Web. 24 Jan 2012. .

“University Of Maryland.” American Cheerleader 12.1 (2006): 41. MAS Ultra – School Edition. Web. 9 Feb. 2012

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