Let me preface the following with the fact that today's cheerleaders are tremendous athletes as compared the "old days." Not even close.

 

However, are they really even relevant anymore? Most schools have no student sections show up so there is no real participation with the cheers. Those that do have student sections make the cheerleaders' cheers irrelevant since the student section does their own cheers.

 

Add in that they really don't seem to do true cheers anymore.

 

Boone/Ryle game tonight was a perfect example.

 

Ryle had a "cheer" where not one girl said a word. Each girl simply did two back flips. That's it. They each did it and then left the court. No words . No "cheering."

 

During breaks each team would take turns sending girls out to do flips/hand springs all the way down the floor. Ref Tim O'Hara almost got clipped twice by a flipping girl. Again, no cheers . Just acrobatics.

 

Is this cheering? Isn't it time for schools to forgo this since there's not really a need ?

I think Covington Catholic stopped having cheerleaders in '02-'03 season. It has worked out well for everyone.

I think Covington Catholic stopped having cheerleaders in '02-'03 season. It has worked out well for everyone.

 

I think it was actually about 2000 but CCH is a different beast so they don't count.

I agree, pretty pointless. Any good student section will take over the cheerleaders stuff.

I think it was actually about 2000 but CCH is a different beast so they don't count.

 

It was definitely a year or two later than that. Either '00-'01 or '01-'02 season was the last year. I think it was '01-'02.

If you feel that the only value of a cheerleader is to support other athletic teams, then sure, get rid of them. If instead you feel that they have value in and of themselves as a team, like any other, then I disagree.

By the way, I was really hoping this was another one of Clyde's threads about the girl from Miss. St.

If you feel that the only value of a cheerleader is to support other athletic teams, then sure, get rid of them. If instead you feel that they have value in and of themselves as a team, like any other, then I disagree.

 

Allow me to re-phrase. I think they should compete in tourneys and enjoy the benefits of being a team and competing.

 

Maybe my issue is really with them being called "cheerleaders." Maybe we should call them to tumbling/dance/acrobatics team.

Allow me to re-phrase. I think they should compete in tourneys and enjoy the benefits of being a team and competing.

 

Maybe my issue is really with them being called "cheerleaders." Maybe we should call them to tumbling/dance/acrobatics team.

 

I haven't noticed what other schools do, but Highlands cheerleaders actually cheer and lead cheers. I don't want to get rid of them. To me they are just a great part of the game environment and tradition. Do I think they have an impact on what happens on the field of play? No. Then again, I don't think student sections (even the craziest) or cheering fans do either. But there's just something about the tradition and what they bring to the enviroment of high school athletics that causes me to want them to continue to be there. Long live cheerleading squads!

I haven't noticed what other schools do, but Highlands cheerleaders actually cheer and lead cheers. I don't want to get rid of them. To me they are just a great part of the game environment and tradition. Do I think they have an impact on what happens on the field of play? No. Then again, I don't think student sections (even the craziest) or cheering fans do either. But there's just something about the tradition and what they bring to the enviroment of high school athletics that causes me to want them to continue to be there. Long live cheerleading squads!

 

Our cheerleaders (and most in our area) do the same. Plus, heaven forbid, some actually enjoy their dance and competition routines during half time.

Our cheerleaders (and most in our area) do the same. Plus, heaven forbid, some actually enjoy their dance and competition routines during half time.

 

IF they cheer as LN says Highlands does and IF they entertain with some sort of dance routine at halftime that's great. That's old school back when they were "cheer"leaders.

 

I'm saying that such performances and cheers are going the way of the VCR.

 

Again, last night was nothing more than which group could do the most flips. No coordinated efforts. No halftime cheering/routines. As I said sometimes the cheers didn't even include words - just flips.

IF they cheer as LN says Highlands does and IF they entertain with some sort of dance routine at halftime that's great. That's old school back when they were "cheer"leaders.

 

I'm saying that such performances and cheers are going the way of the VCR.

 

Again, last night was nothing more than which group could do the most flips. No coordinated efforts. No halftime cheering/routines. As I said sometimes the cheers didn't even include words - just flips.

 

I enjoy watching tumbling, but I agree with you that if that is all there is, then I sometimes get bored with it. However, I could watch stunts and routines all day long. Perhaps I am in the minority (I am a former cheerleading coach.)

 

So, the ones that you are talking about don't so sideline cheers during the game?

I

 

So, the ones that you are talking about don't so sideline cheers during the game?

 

I'm going to guess they do a few but I really do not notice during a game. I did notice that the student sections did a lot of their own stuff so I don't know when the girls would do theirs.

Even if they aren't getting the crowd to follow cheers, they still bring something to the atmosphere.

Even if they aren't getting the crowd to follow cheers, they still bring something to the atmosphere.

 

Such as?