From the Sidelines: Cheerleading takes hard work and dedication, but it s not a sport
Sports reporter
Since I've been writing for the Marion County Record I've tried not to stir the pot too much.
If I've written anything to offend anybody, no one has ever let me know. This week could be different.
I'd love to see what other people think about an ongoing debate I've had for years.
So if you'd like to send a comment my way about this issue, feel free.
On some levels cheerleading is similar to a sport.
Competitions aired on ESPN are events with athletic people pulling off moves yours truly could only dream about.
But that doesn't make it a sport. Just because athletes take part in it, doesn't mean it's a sporting event. It's more of a competition.
Cheerleading at athletic events is once again done by athletes. However, when they are part of the athletic event, meant to help keep fans involved in the game, the cheerleaders aren't playing a sport.
The Kansas State High School Activities Association lists cheerleading as a non-athletic activity. I don't believe it's non-athletic, but the association only has two sections of activities, athletic and non-athletic. Meaning, it does not recognize it as a sport.
When I've had arguments in the past with people who say otherwise (as in my wife just recently), they take it as me saying cheerleading is stupid, and whoever partakes is not an athlete.
Neither is true.
While I can't help but think the original origin of cheerleading, women cheering-on male athletes because they weren't allowed to play, is archaic, I respect what both female and male cheerleaders do.
But still, it's not a sport.
There are athletes in band. Not a sport. There are athletes on scholar bowl teams. Not a sport. And there are athletes in debate. Not a sport.
So, saying cheerleading is not a sport, is not saying cheerleaders are not athletes.
It's just that cheer leaders don't have a schedule, with games against other schools, and then have win-loss records. That is what makes a sport. Not airing on ESPN, because the number one sports channel in the world airs the national spelling bee.
I'm not writing this to try and demean cheerleading or cheerleaders. I'm writing because a recent debate I had about the issue brought back memories of past arguments.
Saying something is not a sport does not mean it's less than any sport. It just means it's in a different category.
If you've read this far and are steaming mad, send me an e-mail (mnorris817@yahoo.com) saying so. If you completely agree, do the same. I'll post the results of the poll in next week's paper.
