I really didn't read very many post on this thread, so I may be repeating something already said. When I ran the youth league in our town I would explain to the cheerleading parents about the cost involved in suiting up players and paying officails and striping the field and so on and so on. My last statement would always be we can play football without cheerleaders, but it's kinda hard to cheer without a game. Our high school cheerleaders are pitiful anyway. I don't think they've cheered at an away game this year. This thread was not about whether cheerleading is a good activity, but should they get part of the gate money.[/QUOTE]

 

You are right about sticking to the thread topic. I should not have replied to a question someone else posted. I apologize.

Potential Profit =

 

*Home Squad of 15 cheerleaders with 2 parents each = 30 tickets.

 

*Visiting cheerleaders and their parents.

 

*Band (size 60) with 2 parents each = 120 tickets purchased.

SEVERAL, SEVERAL band programs are twice the size of the football team.

 

*Visiting Band revenue a couple times a year.

 

Its HIGHLY likely there are younger brothers and sisters whose tickets had to be bought.

 

Now, throw in concession stand purchases that go toward supporting at least one of the school teams.

 

It would be easy to say $1000's of dollars a year are spent from people who are directly involved with OTHER school teams, NOT JUST the football team.

 

I think that a small percentage would be justified. :ylsuper:

 

 

OTHERWISE - lets see a band/cheerleading boycott and THEN count up your gate receipts. I guarentee a 30% decrease in profit.

 

I've added up enough gate sales and concession funds before to know how important EVERYONE is that shows up.

Potential Profit =

 

*Home Squad of 15 cheerleaders with 2 parents each = 30 tickets.

 

*Visiting cheerleaders and their parents.

 

*Band (size 60) with 2 parents each = 120 tickets purchased.

SEVERAL, SEVERAL band programs are twice the size of the football team.

 

*Visiting Band revenue a couple times a year.

 

Its HIGHLY likely there are younger brothers and sisters whose tickets had to be bought.

 

Now, throw in concession stand purchases that go toward supporting at least one of the school teams.

 

It would be easy to say $1000's of dollars a year are spent from people who are directly involved with OTHER school teams, NOT JUST the football team.

 

I think that a small percentage would be justified. :ylsuper:

 

 

OTHERWISE - lets see a band/cheerleading boycott and THEN count up your gate receipts. I guarentee a 30% decrease in profit.

 

I've added up enough gate sales and concession funds before to know how important EVERYONE is that shows up.

 

Excellent point! I hadn't even thought about that, but I have also been in charge of gate/concession sales and you are right.

Maybe a rumour..but I heard at CovCath they only share the gate with God. They throw the money in the air and what God catches, He can keep!...once again, just a rumour!

I think if you knew the time and work that the cheerleaders put in to become cheerleaders you would think differently.I can't speak for other schools but at ours the cheerleaders sometime practice longer than the athletic teams. They attend summer camps and work year long to be the best at what they do. I am sure there are some on the squad that do not want to be there as you have stated, but I bet that can also be said about some of the football players as well. I have witnessed the cheerleaders smile after a big win and cry after a tough loss so it appeard to me their emotions were involved in the game. I am a parent of a former cheerleader so I know first hand what is expected from the kids to be a cheerleader. The kids take great pride in what they do and at our school the athletes support them 100%. The cheerleading competition is their reward for all the hard work they put in during the season.

I consider them cheerleaders & athletes. I guarantee most on this site couldn't do what they do.

 

Please show me where I said they don't work hard or that they are not athletic.

As a former cheerleader, I disagree that the girls do not want to be there. I think the girls really respect the game and the players on the field. I can't think of a single girl though who really wants to get hit by a running back going full speed, so they might give him a look! Just take them for what they are, an entertaining and traditional part of the game! I really don't think there is a cheerleader in the state demading anything from the football teams. They are just doing what they do best...Cheer!

 

Then how do you justify the varsity cheerleaders skipping out for a competition while the team they are supposed to be supporting is playing in Rupp Arena for a Sweet 16 title? Again I ask, what is their raison detre if it's not to cheer for the school's teams during games — especially on the biggest stage?

Please show me where I said they don't work hard or that they are not athletic.

That is about the only thing you didn't include in your post as to why they shouldn't be on the sideline. But that is your opinion & you have that right. I was only pointing out the hard work they put in. I have experienced it first hand as a parent of a cheerleader. All cheerleader programs can not be judged by the actions of others. My opinion is that if they have guidelines set forth by the administration & the cheerleading coach and these girls meet those guidelines they have as much right to cheer in a game as the boys who perform on the field.

That is about the only thing you didn't include in your post as to why they shouldn't be on the sideline. But that is your opinion & you have that right. I was only pointing out the hard work they put in. I have experienced it first hand as a parent of a cheerleader. All cheerleader programs can not be judged by the actions of others. My opinion is that if they have guidelines set forth by the administration & the cheerleading coach and these girls meet those guidelines they have as much right to cheer in a game as the boys who perform on the field.

 

You still seem to be thinking that I don't believe they are athletic or that they work hard. Trust me, I've watched them practice; I know what goes on. For that, they have my utmost respect.

 

But again: If they aren't there for the teams, why are they there? Nobody has given me a legitimate reason why varsity cheerleaders would skip out on cheering for their team in the Sweet 16 so they could go to a competition. If they aren't there for the team when the team is playing for the biggest prize, don't go to any of the games. Just go to competitions, and call them gymnasts, since it's clear they care more about that than actually supporting the teams.

You still seem to be thinking that I don't believe they are athletic or that they work hard. Trust me, I've watched them practice; I know what goes on. For that, they have my utmost respect.

 

But again: If they aren't there for the teams, why are they there? Nobody has given me a legitimate reason why varsity cheerleaders would skip out on cheering for their team in the Sweet 16 so they could go to a competition. If they aren't there for the team when the team is playing for the biggest prize, don't go to any of the games. Just go to competitions, and call them gymnasts, since it's clear they care more about that than actually supporting the teams.

I can't speak for the other schools involved, only for the school that my children attended. Maybe the competition was scheduled without someone communicating properly or maybe the administration had reached an agreement with the cheerleading squad. I can only say what you are saying occured does not happen at where my children attended school. The cheerleading squads are a big part of the athletic events there & are supported by the athletes as well as the community. I am simply stating you can't compare all to what has happened to others.

You still seem to be thinking that I don't believe they are athletic or that they work hard. Trust me, I've watched them practice; I know what goes on. For that, they have my utmost respect.

 

But again: If they aren't there for the teams, why are they there? Nobody has given me a legitimate reason why varsity cheerleaders would skip out on cheering for their team in the Sweet 16 so they could go to a competition. If they aren't there for the team when the team is playing for the biggest prize, don't go to any of the games. Just go to competitions, and call them gymnasts, since it's clear they care more about that than actually supporting the teams.

 

 

My girls cheered and played sports all thru grade school and in 6th grade, were torn about which one to choose on the high school level. I asked them to think about how they felt inside when they "cheered" FOR a great game and how the felt when the "PLAYED" in a great game. They both just laughed and said that was no contest. Sports got the nod and they've never looked back. That was several years ago.

 

I shared that story with a few of the younger kids' parents and they asked if they could use my line. Ofcourse I said yes and guess what? it worked for their kids too!

 

My girls would tell you that if they had chosen to cheer, it would have been for an all-star program that does competitions only. They had no interest in being on the sidelines.

Then how do you justify the varsity cheerleaders skipping out for a competition while the team they are supposed to be supporting is playing in Rupp Arena for a Sweet 16 title? Again I ask, what is their raison detre if it's not to cheer for the school's teams during games — especially on the biggest stage?

 

I know that most guys feel cheerleading is stricktly to support the boys...it isn't. Of course one of the jobs a cheerleader does is promote school spirit and offer encouragement to the players. However, cheerleading is a very strenous and highly competitive sport on its own. These girls, while tirelessly and sometimes thanklessly jump up and down for the players, must compete in their own venue. Why would someone be upset if they missed a game to actually do what the squad is formed to do? These girls participate in their own sport and do not require money from the football program to sustain it. I have never heard of a cheer squad wanting or needing money from the football boosters. And to answer your question, their raison detre is to cheer...for the boys or for themselves.

I know that most guys feel cheerleading is stricktly to support the boys...it isn't. Of course one of the jobs a cheerleader does is promote school spirit and offer encouragement to the players. However, cheerleading is a very strenous and highly competitive sport on its own. These girls, while tirelessly and sometimes thanklessly jump up and down for the players, must compete in their own venue. Why would someone be upset if they missed a game to actually do what the squad is formed to do? These girls participate in their own sport and do not require money from the football program to sustain it. I have never heard of a cheer squad wanting or needing money from the football boosters. And to answer your question, their raison detre is to cheer...for the boys or for themselves.

 

I don't think anyone would pay much attention if they missed a regular season game to go to a competition. We're talking about the Sweet 16 here. Don't you think that would be when the teams need the cheerleaders the most?

 

And whoever calls the shots for the governing body of cheerleading in Ky needs to be publicly whipped for deciding it was a good idea to schedule their statewide competition in conflict with the Sweet 16, forcing the cheerleaders to choose between the two. Clearly in the case I've mentioned, the cheerleaders chose themselves over the school in general, and that is to be deplored.

 

Who takes precedence? I'm of the opinion the team they are cheering for should — especially if that team is playing for a state title.