Incorrect notions of cheerleading
A sport is defined as an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment. With that definition in mind, it confuses me how schools across the nation fail to consider that cheerleading, the activity I have devoted my life to, is a sport.
I must say though that this article is not meant to be a sounding board for complaints about how I do not get the same opportunities as the other athletes at this school, because I am very grateful to be able to represent my school while supporting other athletes and being able to be a part of such an amazing program. This disparity, though, should be acknowledged because my teammates and I work just as hard as any other athletes on campus.
My teammates and I physically exert ourselves in a combination of gymnastics, acrobatics and dance all crammed into one 2 minute and 30 second routine. We spend hours and hours on end perfecting our “skill” and technique to be able to perform in front of a huge crowd at the national collegiate competition in Daytona, Florida. Yet there is a real disparity in treatment of the cheerleading squad vs. other sports teams at St. Joe’s. And this disparity can be seen in the simplest of things, such as course registration.
Those recognized as athletes at St. Joe’s are given a 7 a.m. pick time for classes so that they are able to work with their practice schedule, their merchandise and uniforms are paid for and they are given priority gym time for their practices. Unfortunately, this is not the same for the cheerleading team.
Last semester, I had a 3 p.m. pick time. One of the classes I needed for my major was only offered in 2 sections, one that ended at 3:20 p.m. and one that ended at 5:55 p.m. By the time I picked my classes, all that was left was the class that ended at 5:55 p.m. which was not an option because of 6 p.m. practice on Wednesdays. I had to contact the head of my department, who in turn had to contact my coach before I could be placed in the other section. This has been the reality for many of my teammates as well, but it has even larger implications.
I think that these disparities boil down to a larger issue for cheerleaders across the country. Stereotypes and a lack of understanding of our sport have perpetuated the notion that a cheerleader is not equal to other athletes like a basketball player or a lacrosse player or a hockey player.
Our sport, like many others, is a test of strength, skill and stamina. In 2 minutes and 30 seconds, we lift our teammates above our heads, throw them through the air as they twist and flip, we execute gymnastic skills, we dance and so much more in between with no room for error.
The difference between a cheerleading competition and a basketball game is that in a basketball game, if you make a mistake, you can make up for it in the second half and come back to win. In a cheerleading competition however, you get one chance, and if you mess up there is no coming back; all you can do after those 2 minutes and 30 seconds is hope that the other teams do not do better than you.
And while there are these disparities in treatment for athletes on St. Joe’s campus and there is this incorrect notion that cheerleaders are not athletes, the recognition of our sport and athleticism is continuing to grow.
My team and I will keep competing and honing in on our skills. My hope, though, is that this article brings not only awareness to the disparity of treatment, but also more recognition to my sport and all we have to offer.
