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Is cheerleading a sport? The debate continues

By Emily Worthy [Sweet Water High School]

As cheerleading gains popularity, the controversy rages on about whether or not it is a sport.

“It’s a sport, but there’s no pain factor,” says University of Alabama student Kellie Richardson. “Once you’re through competing, what can you do with cheerleading?”

“I would consider it a sport because I see competition. They do work a lot,” said Blake Woods, a University of Alabama student.

The skills exhibited in cheerleading lead many to believe that cheerleaders are indeed athletes. Cheerleaders have strenuous workout sessions in addition to practicing and preparing for games. In order for cheerleaders to perform, they must combine the strength of a football player, the poise of a dancer, and the flexibility as any gymnast. To its many proponents, cheerleading is more than just putting on a short skirt and chanting on the sidelines or in the bleachers.

“Competition is the same as in baseball as it is for cheerleading. Cheerleading is as hard as any other sport,” says Jason Greer, a former baseball player and current head cheerleader at University of Alabama.

“If you can’t win it, then it’s not a sport!” declared Tredell Sims, a student at the University of Alabama.
Gisela Deloach, assistant cheerleading coach at Paul W. Bryant High School, strongly contends that cheerleading is a sport because the strenuous jumps and stunts are considered as athletic.

Many states recognize cheerleading as a sport, University of Alabama cheerleading coach Debbie Greenwell said. Although Alabama is not yet among those, nearby states such as Texas and Georgia list cheerleading right along with baseball and basketball.

“Cheerleaders here at UA are recognized and respected as athletes. Regardless of it being considered a sport or not, cheerleaders definitely need to support their teams,” Greenwell said.

Although there are cheerleading squads that do meet the criteria of their primary function – competitive cheerleading – there are still some squads whose primary function is to lead cheers at games.

One of the criteria for becoming an official “sport” is to have a competitive aspect, such as entering state and national competitions.

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