Varsity: A Letter from Varsity

Sheila Noone sent an update:

We recently shared some news with you related to Jeff Webb’s testimony in a trial involving the cheerleading team at Quinnipiac University. As you know, Varsity has always supported all types of cheerleading, and Jeff felt it was important to speak up in this landmark case to ensure clear differences between traditional school cheerleading squads and new, collegiate “competition-only” teams so that both can exist and prosper.

The judge decided the competition-only cheerleading team at Quinnipiac did not meet Title IX requirements. Varsity does believe there is a way to evolve aspects of cheerleading into an officially recognized intercollegiate sport, and thinks the cheerleading community will get there soon.

In fact, USA Cheer, the national governing body for cheerleading, has been making great strides in developing a new format they believe will not only allow it to be recognized as an intercollegiate sport, but will also help differentiate it from traditional cheerleading. For example, their new format would involve a new name and a clear difference from the current 2.5 minute competition structure, to help make the necessary distinctions between traditional school cheerleading squads and new competition-only teams.

We believe it’s beneficial for athletes, schools and everyone to continue offering traditional cheerleading as well as introducing an emerging sport that further evolves current aspects of competition-only cheer. We look forward to working with you and the rest of the cheerleading community to further define and support an emerging sport that provides even more opportunities for young athletes.

We thank you for your continued support, and should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Sheila Noone

Vice President, Varsity Brands