Following our discussion on Title IX and the economic impact, listen to the following commentary by Frank Deford (
Women's Sports, Title IX and the Cheerleader Option). What did the Florida State High School Association do in regards to cheerleading and football? What are your thoughts on counting cheerleading as a sport vs. as an activity? Is this a good solution?
Florida State High School Association tried to get away with simply counting cheerleading as a sport only to keep from cutting football. The quote that "football is like cheerleading because it is a co-ed sport" is so outrageous. I think if cheerleading were to be counted as a sport then they would need to compete like any other sport competes. With out actually competing in anything, I think, that cheerleading should not be considered a sport. With out competing cheerleading is just an activity.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kara about Florida. They were only trying to keep from cutting their football team. I also agree that sport cheerleading is not a sport, but rather an activity. There is no deciding factor at the end of games as to which team had the best cheer squad. On the other hand...there is competitive cheerleading. Cheer teams that actually compete in competitions and such could be considered a sport, but it would have to be offered at all levels to be considered a sport. I think that cheering at games is an activity, but if that is what they consider practice and they actually are involved in competitions; they could be considered a sport. But until then...cheerleading is an activity.
ReplyDeleteI think in some cases cheerleading should be considered a sport. There are competitions in other states for cheerleaders. Cheerleaders practice like other sport teams and perform on some stage (games, half-times, etc.) like other teams. I think if there is some measure of skill and ability of the teams, such as a state competition, cheerleading can be considered a sport. I do not feel Florida State High School's solution is a good solution. I think the interpretation of Title IX needs to be changed. Like the video we watched in class, the law is great, the interpretation is not.
ReplyDeleteIn the mid-west region cheerleading is not very popular. If someone were to ask peoples opinion in a different region such as the California area there would be more responses believing that it is a sport. I believe that cheerleading is a sport and should get more credit. They do practice and attend competitions with the goal to make it to state or nationals. This is the same goal for most sports. Florida State is not the best solution. It was one of many solutions proposed I am sure.
ReplyDeleteCheerleading is a sport and does need to be respected as one. There are many ways you can define a sport, you can look at competition, or you can look the participants and see if they use any physical or mental skills while being active in their activity.
ReplyDeleteI would define sport as any physical act, that requires the development of skills, practice and preparation, teamwork and community building, and physical and mental fitness.
So I believe that cheerleading should be counted as a sport and should be allowed to coincide with Title IX as a sport. I think this is just another thing for people to complain about, people are hurting their own cause by putting down a female dominated sports and casting it along side of the chess team and drama club. Granted those are great actives for young adults to participate in, but the physical element of cheerleading cannot be argued. Cheerleading is a competitive sport, and in certain areas of the country more than others.
Here’s a Link to Clemson University Cheerleading Program – Offering 4 scholarships annually. It’s a sport.
http://cheerleading.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&zTi=1&sdn=cheerleading&cdn=sports&tm=53&gps=294_671_1276_800&f=00&tt=14&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//clemsontigers.ocsn.com/school-bio/cheerleading.html
I believe that cheering is a sport only when it is competitive. I dont believe that HS and middle school cheerleading is considered a sport because they are not really doing anything athletic, at least in towns around the Midwest. Once you get into competitive cheerleading where you are going up against different teams and doing things such as stunts, tossing, and tumbling i believe it is a sport.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kara that Cheerleading should only be considered a sport if they compete against other schools or in competitions. Some cheerleaders meet once a week to pratice for the upcoming game, and to me that is more of an activity. This level of cheerleading should not be considered equal to football to meet Title IX standards. On the other hand some cheerleaders devote their life to it and it would be wrong to say they are lesser athletes than football players.
ReplyDeleteThe main argument presented thus far has been competition and the definition of a sport. Does an activity become a sport when it becomes competitive? Is a sport defined by competition? A point also considered, if not considered a sport, is it a school club - such as drama club?
ReplyDeleteWhat are the financial implications of declaring cheerleading a sport?
Competition is a key factor in determining whether or not cheerleading is a sport or not. But at the same time, competition is everywhere. For example, body building, body building is a competition... so are beauty pagants. So to say cheerleading is a sport needs more classification. It can be argued that cheerleading is a NICHE sport, because it has a strong following. Cheerleading, to me, is not comparable to football. Football maybe co-ed, but the rarity of girls playing on a varsity squad are slim to none. Cheerleading does not hold true to title IX in comparision to football.
ReplyDeleteI do see kara's point of view but I would have to agree with dawnielle. To me it is a sport if it is in competition.
ReplyDeleteThis is really a touchy topic that seems to have people on one extreme side or the other. I don't know if it should be considered a sport but they definitely put a lot of work in like a drama "team" or forensics "team". They are definitely a school activity and just like those two examples they compete. I think that even you don't consider them a sport you would have to deal with them as a high school AD
ReplyDeleteI think an activity can be competitive without being a sport. For example, maybe you like speed walking to class with a friend and you always race to see who can get there first. Its a competitive activity, but I wouldn't classify it as a sport. By declaring cheerleading a sport the school is taking responsibility in funding them. I personally don't think cheerleading is a sport, but thats just me.
ReplyDeleteI agree with with what Dammann is saying, it is a sport if it is a competition. Cheerleaders still practice everyday after school and work just as hard, if not harder, as other athletes participatiing in competitions
ReplyDeleteI define a sport based on not only the physical and mental qualities needed to compete and succeed at a level, but there needs to be structure behind it. For example, I go play pick up hockey at a local rink as a activity! Now if it was a competitive league that had a organizational body in charge and the activity was closely monitored, then to me it would be a sport. The idea that "without officials, its just recess" is what I'm going for. Now with that being said Cheerleading can go both ways and it should be classified only as a sport if there is a organizational body in charge and the competitions are closly monitored.
ReplyDeleteI don't really know where I stand on this subject...On one hand there is definitely some common sports characteristics needed like dedication, hard work, physical fitness, etc. and there also is a definite mental capacity needed. On the other hand, there is nothing to "win" in cheerleading. It is just an activity, but so is golf when you don't play competitively and golf is still a sport.
ReplyDeleteThe Florida State High School Association is trying to count cheerleading as a sport to help prevent the cutting of male sports. I think that I am in agreeance with many of the others in the class, that cheerleading can go either way on the issue. If a schools cheerleading team is going out and competing in cheerleading competitions, then I would consider it a sport. However, if they are just cheering at games for other sports, then I would have to say that its more of an activity rather than a sport. I just feel that sports are competitive activities and they need to be competitive to be considered a sport.
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