Is Cheerleading a Sport

[tornado]

We've had plenty of discussions on this topic...and obviously I see both sides of the argument...
but this question is now going to be decided by a court...since a bunch of whiny volleyball players are ticked
that their sport was canceled but cheerleading was not (at Quinnipiac University)..

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g4qjhOHa7ww0rqi3HWMxFcupRvZgD9GF1KI80

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/sports/Go-Go-Go-oo-Judge-Court-to-Decide-If-Cheerleadings-a-Sport-96812019.html

What I find so laughable is that certain women's groups have argued strongly for decades that cheerleading IS A SPORT...and they've wanted all the benefits that come from such a designation like scholarships, NCAA recognition and competition, etc..

Now - the very same groups want to say it is NOT a sport for the sake of determining the numbers of scholarships given out by a university and under Title IX...

In other words....they want it both ways...
greedy special interest-types see this as a cash cow....gimme some federal money or else I'll sue....

Personally I don't care...if even competitive rifle and synchronized swimming are sports, I have no problem if they want to call cheerleading a sport...but then don't yank my chain by wanting it called a sport for one gainful purpose, but NOT A SPORT for the purpose of getting even MORE Title IX benefits and more women on scholarship!

[SFP]

Simply put NO! Are they athletic, YES! Ballet dancers are athletic but would anyone argue that that ballet is a sport? Cheerleading is closer to an art form, pure entertainment.

[Lakeview Brave]

sport   /spɔrt, spoʊrt/ Show Spelled[spawrt, spohrt] Show IPA
??“noun
1. an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature.

I would say yes

[Da Coach]

I agree. It's a sport, and one that requires a high level of training, skill, strength, and conditioning.

[amckillip]

Its an athletic event, a physical activity, a competition, but not a sport. Anything in my book that is subjective is NOT a sport. I actually argue that things like swimming and running and shotput are not sports but events, the prerequisite for a sport being something where logic and strategy are more important the total time or total strength.

[SFP]

OK Da Coach and Lakeview where do you put ballet then? The top ballet dancers are as athletic as they come. So ballet is a sport?

"sport   /spɔrt, spoʊrt/ Show Spelled[spawrt, spohrt] Show IPA
??“noun
1. an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature."

[shaunguth]

OK Da Coach and Lakeview where do you put ballet then? The top ballet dancers are as athletic as they come. So ballet is a sport?

"sport   /spɔrt, spoʊrt/ Show Spelled[spawrt, spohrt] Show IPA
??“noun
1. an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature."

I guess so.

[Braves4Life]

OK Da Coach and Lakeview where do you put ballet then? The top ballet dancers are as athletic as they come. So ballet is a sport?

"sport   /spɔrt, spoʊrt/ Show Spelled[spawrt, spohrt] Show IPA
??“noun
1. an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature."

Yes, but do ballet dancers compete against each other? If not, then ballet is not a sport. Cheerleaders do compete against each other so therefore I would consider it a sport. Of course, I would not be watching it for its sporting value, if you know what I mean.

[electricmayhem]

Its an athletic event, a physical activity, a competition, but not a sport. Anything in my book that is subjective is NOT a sport. I actually argue that things like swimming and running and shotput are not sports but events, the prerequisite for a sport being something where logic and strategy are more important the total time or total strength.

I mostly agree with this. In my world, anything where the outcome is judged by another human is a competition, not a sport.

Cheerleading - not a sport.

Figure skating - not a sport.

Boxing - kind of a sport - the boxers can still win a match on their own.

[Braves4Life]

In my world, anything where the outcome is judged by another human is a competition, not a sport.

Tell that to the US World Cup soccer team.

[BUFanatic]

Not a sport, end of story. Discipline or "event" maybe. Ballroom Dancing is considered a "Sport" by the IOC and USOC, but it's more like Figure Skating and Gymnastics than say Soccer, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, etc. Cheerleading is athletic, it's hard, but it's not a sport. Cheer Competitions are rare, making it even less of a sport.

[Out of Balance]

OK Da Coach and Lakeview where do you put ballet then? The top ballet dancers are as athletic as they come. So ballet is a sport?

"sport   /spɔrt, spoʊrt/ Show Spelled[spawrt, spohrt] Show IPA
??“noun
1. an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature."

Yellow is my favorite color So that yellow suit and whats in it wins the swim suit competition in my book, anyday

[Out of Balance]

Tell that to the US World Cup soccer team.

Never thought about playing the ball like she is but then I don't have the necessary tools for it like she does

[DeltaBrave03]

My biggest argument that it's not a sport is how not only is it strictly based on judging, but in the IHSA to make it to state you don't have to beat your competition you only have to beat a predetermined score. So you're not competing against an opponent you're competing against yourself.

[SFP]

Yes, but do ballet dancers compete against each other? If not, then ballet is not a sport. Cheerleaders do compete against each other so therefore I would consider it a sport. Of course, I would not be watching it for its sporting value, if you know what I mean.

A good friend of mine is the house manager of where the young women of The San Francisco Ballet live and they are constantly competing with each other for the lead dancer and other roles. So, still where does that fit. They are being judged constantly.