Federal Judge Rules Cheerleading Not a Sport

[True blue (and gold)]

The high school band (at least in the old days) used to practice much longer in the heat than the football team. Some of those students , like linemen on the football team, dropped some LBs due to the heat and continual marching practice. Add in carrying a tuba and you've got yourself a workout. So, your last sentence would seem to include the marching band. Agree?

 

I think that you are talking more about endurance, rather than physical fitness and athleticism.

[Clyde]

I think that you are talking more about endurance, rather than physical fitness and athleticism.

 

So golf isn't a sport?

[True blue (and gold)]

So golf isn't a sport?

 

Not if cheerleading isn't, IMO. However, while physical fitness may need not be high for the average golfer, athleticism seems to be there for your really good ones.

[Birdsfan]

Here's a simple definition that everyone can agree on:

 

If Nike endorses it...it's a sport.

[ColonelMike]

There are many sports that are not sanctioned by the KHSAA; and many schools have teams/clubs. Lacrosse, gymnastics, boxing, martial arts, shooting, archery, bowling, hockey, the list goes on. I just think that in its present state, cheerleading should be excluded.

 

I see your point, but the thread got started in regards to college, not HS. We're talking such a dramatic difference in facilities and money that a lot of sports don't happen at the HS level...

 

Here's a simple definition that everyone can agree on:

 

If Nike endorses it...it's a sport.

 

:laugh::laugh:

[mcpapa]

Cheerleading at a high level takes a ton of athleticisim, practice and dedication.

 

I wouldn't have a problem with cheerleading being recognized as a sport if the competition end were a little more organized.

 

It seems as if every year, KY for example has atleast 3 " National Champs". I feel like I could set up a few chairs in my back yard, open a concession stand, invite a few teams and crown my own national champ. If you're going to make it a sport, do it right. If you want the sport to be taken seriously, model it after other popular sports -- 1 national champion per division.

 

When my avatar was in the 8th grade, several of her classmates were on the middle-school cheerleading team. They went to a competition in Virginia, competed against 2 or 3 other squads, and were declared "national champions."

 

Now, I was happy for them, being that several of them and their parents were friends. But national champions?

[ColonelMike]

When my avatar was in the 8th grade, several of her classmates were on the middle-school cheerleading team. They went to a competition in Virginia, competed against 2 or 3 other squads, and were declared "national champions."

 

Now, I was happy for them, being that several of them and their parents were friends. But national champions?

 

Fair point - but that was a little while back, McP!

 

And (Keep in mind, I'm playing devil's advocate in this debate, but I truly see more logic in saying cheerleading IS a sport as opposed to it NOT being a sport) keep in mind that some would say college football doesn't have anything close to a real national championship, either...

 

Is college football a sport? (for the dense among you, note that I'm being FACETIOUS...there's no question college football is a sport, but it hardly has an "organized" championship either - not when most of the teams are not included...)

[MBWC41]

Fair point - but that was a little while back, McP!

 

And (Keep in mind, I'm playing devil's advocate in this debate, but I truly see more logic in saying cheerleading IS a sport as opposed to it NOT being a sport) keep in mind that some would say college football doesn't have anything close to a real national championship, either...

 

Is college football a sport? (for the dense among you, note that I'm being FACETIOUS...there's no question college football is a sport, but it hardly has an "organized" championship either - not when most of the teams are not included...)

 

You won't find a person more against the BCS system than myself.

 

However, at the end of the season the BCS does crown ONE national champion aside from the very few seasons we encounter a split championship( incredibly stupid to me).

 

I think that's the problem many, including myself, have with cheerleading. It's just a free for all with very little structure. As I said earlier, do away with multiple associations, bring some type of structure to it and cheerleading will gain some respect from a lot of people.

 

I can even deal with multiple state and national cheerleading champs at the high school level as long as guidelines are set to define what class a squad competes in.

 

Have 1 state champion per state (multiple state champs if the state decides they would like to have multiple classes) at the high school level and 1 national champ per division at the collegiate level. Seems simple enough to me...

[MBWC41]

To let my true feelings be known, I could care less if cheerleading ever becomes a recognized sport. I do think the girls deserve it due to the hard work and dedication they put in.

 

I just get tired of people complaining about the lack of respect it receives but not doing anything about it.