~Cheerleading is a sport~

[pattyT]

Cheering has changed since I was in high school....

even when my dd started at age 6 I thought I hope she hates it... It's not a sport - as the first season progressed and I stood on the sidelines watching the basic cheers I thought augh I really hope she doesn't want to do this again.
THEN the competions started
that is not a "shishkmba rah rah rah" cheerleading!
Since DD liked the competitive part of it we tried out - thats right TRIED out for a Jr Prep team... and made it...
She practices 3x a week an hour and half each practice...
the college scholaships are incredible when you look into it!

SHE - my DD - has opened my eyes to a new world and thought on the world of cheering!

 

[lyeag]

Well, at least in my high school they made terrorizing those they deemed unworthy a "sport". I actually stopped being friends with some over how they treated others. Sad to say, I have seen it in many areas of the country.

 

[WIcruizer]

Just because there are try-outs and scholarships doesn't make it a sport. It is competition. I don't consider it a sport any more than gymnastics. My definition of a sport is competition that is scored objectively. You either beat someone or you don't. If judges have to score you, it's not a sport.

 

[rhanditresmom]

It is a sport...that's all.

 

[xCourxCorex]

I don't know where you live, but here in Massachusetts, cheerleading is a sport. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association considers it one.

 

[xCourxCorex]

Just because there are try-outs and scholarships doesn't make it a sport. It is competition. I don't consider it a sport any more than gymnastics. My definition of a sport is competition that is scored objectively. You either beat someone or you don't. If judges have to score you, it's not a sport.

In cheerleading, gymnastics and dance competitions, you compete against several other teams, resulting in an ultimate winner, and losers. The same applies to a soccer game. One team will win, the other will not. I really don't see your point.

 

[L107ANGEL]

Just because there are try-outs and scholarships doesn't make it a sport. It is competition. I don't consider it a sport any more than gymnastics. My definition of a sport is competition that is scored objectively. You either beat someone or you don't. If judges have to score you, it's not a sport.

So boxing is not a sport either? How about the olympics

 

[TiggerCat]

Sport

How about entertainment!

 

[allie&mattsmom]

I consider it a sport. Like another poster said, you have to try out to make the squad, you have practices, you have a coach, you work your butt off, it takes great coordination & athletic ability and you compete. Why would it not be considered a sport? But then again, I think competitive dance & gymnastics also qualify as a sport.

 

[Christine]

In cheerleading, gymnastics and dance competitions, you compete against several other teams, resulting in an ultimate winner, and losers. The same applies to a soccer game. One team will win, the other will not. I really don't see your point.

I see the point WIcruizer is trying to make. During football, soccer, or baseball you are using your skill to "best" an opponent. Usually using a ball or moving something (see the about.com definition that I posted on page 1). In cheerleading, gymnastics, figure skating your points are derived from a person who is viewing your performance and they decide if your performance is worth 1 point or 9 points. It's subjective. A goal, is a goal, is goal.

As for boxing, it doesn't involve a ball, but it involves punching the crap out of someone until they fall down. Very objective and is not judged.

 

[Disney Ella]

Takes a lot of work, but is not a sport.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I've never really considered it a sport. Doesn't mean that it isn't, I've just never viewed it as such. Than again, when I was in high school, the cheerleaders were so snobby and half of them and their coach got busted for doing drugs. It may have tainted my view.

I'm a mom. I chase kids, it requires tremendous athletic ability, skill and effort. Sometimes I compete with other moms - you know how it is. I often get judged by others. Yes, parenting should definitely be considered a sport!

 

[christineann]

FYI

During a breakout session at a Division I college open house for prospective students, the athletic director clearly stated that cheerleading is not a recognized NCAA sport, and there are no athletic scholarships for it.

 

[KimR]

Honestly, what difference does it make? This reminds me of the thread a while back on whether a couple without children are considered a family. It's just semantics - depends on how you define a sport. So what if cheerleading isn't a sport (and I'm not saying it's not!) - does that make it any less worthwhile? I think part of the reason people get so up in arms about this is the fact that our society in general places a higher value on sports than on other pursuits.

I personally find sports (with the exception of gymnastics, cheerleading, and figure skating) to be boring. I can appreciate the skills and abilities of a gymnast, dancer, or pianist so much more than I can a guy who can throw or hit a ball, run fast, or beat the crap out of someone. I'm not saying ballplayers aren't talented - I'm sure they are, I'm just not one who is able to appreciate that talent.

I do think cheerleading, along with gymnastics and figure skating are a different 'type' of sport than basketball, football, etc. I think they could maybe be considered some sort of hybrid between performing arts and the more traditional sports. What the distinction would be I'm not sure. It sure would make it easier if we could come up with some classification everyone could agree on thoug because I get tired of my gymnast DDs contradicting everytime I say that I hate sports: "but Mom, you like gymnastics!'. I used to reply 'well, ok I hate sports that involve balls!'. But - that's not entirely true either since it certainly takes balls to do a flyaway on bars or a back handspring on the beam. Not to mention the fact that I do enjoy watching the male gymnasts as well.

 

[jenny2]

Oi... I swore I wasn't going to post on these cheerleading threads, but here I am.

The whole "is cheering a sport" arguement has been around for ages. Back when I cheered in highschool (late 80s, early 90s) cheering was determined to be a sport. I really don't remember if it was a school decision, or a state decision (MA)... but really... does it matter? Would I have cheered if it was or wasn't?? Of course! I loved it. We practiced for 2 1/2 hours a day 5 days a week, 7 days a week during competition season. We were State Champions the year I was in 10th grade. We would get told by the field hockey players, or the girls basketball teams that we weren't a "real" sport Whatever! We were a TEAM, that's all that mattered. We supported each other, helped each other out, learned how to get along and work with people we sometimes didn't like.

I was a captain for 2 seasons, and I remember in my COLLEGE INTERVIEW the dean telling me a captain is a captain and a team is a team as far as the learning gained from being on a team or being a captain. It didn't matter if you were the captain of the football team, the cheerleading squad or the math club.

So is it a sport? I think it is. And I would be PROUD of my daughter if she decided to follow in her mom's footsteps and cheer.

 

[2BigKIdz]

My 16 yr old niece is a cheerleader, and yes, I would consider what she does a sport, she's in great shape! What the cheerleaders did at my high school, definitely NOT a sport, they stood around and waved some pom-poms, no lifts, no flips, no pyramids, just shaking pom-poms.

 

[Lil_Tink]

Ok I agree as former posters. I veiw it as a sporty activity, of course I am kinda both. Its not a traditional activity. Compititions, Yes..Sitting there saying RARARARA no. So I think student council should be a sport. We sit on stage singing raRARARA but we dont do anything like competitive cheerleading. Throwing people in the air,no.....

 

[teh fish]

I remember reading something about how a sport was defined as a physical activity in which the other team has to directly apply a defense.

Since a team is not directly preventing another team from scoring while participating, I say it's not a sport.

 

[BillSears]

How about Marching Band? Is that a sport? They have try outs, they practice, the routines can get physically complex and they compete.

 

[teh fish]

^only if it's full contact...