Cheerleading, believe it or not, is subject to a very controversial topic. Some people think that cheerleading should be considered a sport while others choose to argue that cheerleading should not be considered a sport. Neither perspective is incorrect due to the fact that it is all based off of opinion.
Cheerleading originates from the University of Minnesota, specifically November second of 1898. Male student Johnny Campbell lead the first cheerleaders at a football game. In the start of it, all cheerleaders were male- in fact it remained that way for quite a few years. Cheerleading is a combination of stunts, tumbling, cheers, dances, and jumps formed into a two and a half to three-minute-long routine. These routines include music and music breaks for loud cheers to be shouted and display your sense of pride for the school you are representing.
Those in favor of cheerleading becoming recognized as a sport have many logical arguments. The Google dictionary defines the term “sport” as, “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.” Cheerleaders go through countless hours of learning, practicing, and perfecting all aspects included in their routines. After this endless cycle, the girls, and sometimes guys, of these teams go to competitions against multiple teams for both their own entertainment and that of those who choose to spectate these competitions. On the Live Strong website, Lori A. Selke wrote in her article, “In addition to attending cheer practice to practice stunting, tumbling, and dancing, cheerleaders must also weight lift and workout several times a week.” Cheerleaders must continue to work outside of practice in order to build and maintain their cardiovascular endurance for the endless run-throughs of routines and the endless jumps that tend to wind some. These athletes must also build up their muscular endurance in order to lift the flyers who tend to be around one hundred pounds or above. Not only do the flyers need to stay up, but the supports must be able to push them hard enough to get enough height to nearly hit the rafters of their practice area.
Many people believe that rather than declaring cheerleading a sport, it should just remain as it has always been- a hobby or activity to pass the time. Brea Darnell from Daily Republic wrote that, “…statistics show that only 15 percent of cheerleaders in the United States compete; therefore cheerleading should not be considered a sport.” Fifteen percent is such a small percentage of teams that compete; of teams that fulfill the expectations that are required to be met for an activity to become a sport. Although the world of cheer is always changing, fifteen percent is so insignificant that it would not be worth going through the trouble of pronouncing cheerleading a sport. Valorie Delp from Love to Know stated, “While no one would argue that cheerleaders practice, it can be argued that cheerleading, when it is simply yelling into crowds, does not require a great deal of skill. Anyone can learn routines and yell into the crowd as long as they smile a lot.” Standing in front of large crowds to display your school spirit and pride cannot be too hard if you truly enjoy what you are doing. You just throw on a smile, put a pep in your step and continue on with your job during the game, which is entertain the crowd.
Neither the perspective on keeping cheerleading considered an activity nor the idea of cheerleading being a sport are incorrect; just opposing due to different opinions on the matter. Different people have their different opinions and reasoning on the subject, as they have the right to. Cheerleading is both a pastime and sport which is subject to many controversial ideas.
Cheerleading originates from the University of Minnesota, specifically November second of 1898. Male student Johnny Campbell lead the first cheerleaders at a football game. In the start of it, all cheerleaders were male- in fact it remained that way for quite a few years. Cheerleading is a combination of stunts, tumbling, cheers, dances, and jumps formed into a two and a half to three-minute-long routine. These routines include music and music breaks for loud cheers to be shouted and display your sense of pride for the school you are representing.
Those in favor of cheerleading becoming recognized as a sport have many logical arguments. The Google dictionary defines the term “sport” as, “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.” Cheerleaders go through countless hours of learning, practicing, and perfecting all aspects included in their routines. After this endless cycle, the girls, and sometimes guys, of these teams go to competitions against multiple teams for both their own entertainment and that of those who choose to spectate these competitions. On the Live Strong website, Lori A. Selke wrote in her article, “In addition to attending cheer practice to practice stunting, tumbling, and dancing, cheerleaders must also weight lift and workout several times a week.” Cheerleaders must continue to work outside of practice in order to build and maintain their cardiovascular endurance for the endless run-throughs of routines and the endless jumps that tend to wind some. These athletes must also build up their muscular endurance in order to lift the flyers who tend to be around one hundred pounds or above. Not only do the flyers need to stay up, but the supports must be able to push them hard enough to get enough height to nearly hit the rafters of their practice area.
Many people believe that rather than declaring cheerleading a sport, it should just remain as it has always been- a hobby or activity to pass the time. Brea Darnell from Daily Republic wrote that, “…statistics show that only 15 percent of cheerleaders in the United States compete; therefore cheerleading should not be considered a sport.” Fifteen percent is such a small percentage of teams that compete; of teams that fulfill the expectations that are required to be met for an activity to become a sport. Although the world of cheer is always changing, fifteen percent is so insignificant that it would not be worth going through the trouble of pronouncing cheerleading a sport. Valorie Delp from Love to Know stated, “While no one would argue that cheerleaders practice, it can be argued that cheerleading, when it is simply yelling into crowds, does not require a great deal of skill. Anyone can learn routines and yell into the crowd as long as they smile a lot.” Standing in front of large crowds to display your school spirit and pride cannot be too hard if you truly enjoy what you are doing. You just throw on a smile, put a pep in your step and continue on with your job during the game, which is entertain the crowd.
Neither the perspective on keeping cheerleading considered an activity nor the idea of cheerleading being a sport are incorrect; just opposing due to different opinions on the matter. Different people have their different opinions and reasoning on the subject, as they have the right to. Cheerleading is both a pastime and sport which is subject to many controversial ideas.