Why Cheerleading Should Be Considered A Sport

Cheering is a physical activity where groups perform routines while yelling cheers. (Harmon) Cheerleading is a popular activity for many schools and universities. (Harmon) This activity can be traced all the way back to the 19th century. (Harmon) At the first intercollegiate football game in 1869, between Princeton and Rutgers, students yelled and chanted cheers. (Harmon) In 1898, Johnny Campbell started cheering at games, and became the first unofficial cheerleader. (Harmon) Many people were inspired by Campbell, and cheerleading was born. (Harmon) Most of the first cheer groups were all-male teams. (Harmon) These groups started to gain females around 1924. (Harmon) By the 1940’s, cheerleading was a very popular activity. (Harmon) More than

(Varsity.com) Stunting requires mass flying in the air, and resistance of mass as we catch the top girl, or flyer, and during tumbling. (Varsity.com) According to Dictionary.com, a sport is “an athletic activity that requires physical prowess or skill and often a competitive nature.”(Popoloski) School squads, and all-star (competitive) squads, attain this definition. (Popoloski) Though most schools don’t compete, as it says in the definition that Dictionary.com gave us, it says it’s “often a competitive nature.” (Popoloski) Meaning, doesn’t always have to be competitive. (Popoloski) As Asia Webb from Daily Republic Solano County's News Source says, cheerleaders work just as hard as any other sport. (Webb) They have to work-out, run, and have the same amount, if not more of team effort. (Webb) “If there is no trophy, then there is no sport?” asked Webb. Many think that that is ridiculous. (Webb) The difference from cheerleading and other sports, is cheering requires spirit, appearance, and a strength. (Webb) Cheerleading isn’t a sport? According to Theodysseyonline.com, cheerleading has many reasons not be identified as a sport. Some say tumbling is effortless. (Theodysseyonline.com) A second reason being that stunting takes