The Liveshots blog on Fox News published Cheerleading a Sport?.
When asked whether they’ve had contact with these two groups, the NCAA responded: “We have had conversations with both groups about how the emerging sports proposal process.” And they went on to say: “Whatever model is adopted would have to be voted on by NCAA membership to be added to the emerging sports list. It is difficult to predict what the membership would decide, and too early in the process to speculate.”
Let's restate the question in two primary parts;
1. Are Cheerleaders athletes?
2. Is Cheerleading a Sport?
#1. Cheer, Leaders or Entertainers are athletes! CheerLEADERS lead a crowd in support of some athletic team using a variety of verbal & physical skills to catch the crowds attention to begin chants & cheers. CheerENTERTAINERS use Cheer verbal & physical skills to practice in preparation for competitions sponsored by organizations like USASF.
#2. Cheerleading is not an NCAA or Title XI recognized Sport, … currently! The Quinnipiac University (QU) trial this past Summer was all about the qualification of the now Acrobats & Tumbling (A&T) team qualifying as Title XI (T9) athletes. Judge Underhill ruled that currently QU A&T does not meet the requirements of T9. Did you notice the word, … CURRENTLY? That means when QU does meet the qualifications for recognition by the NCAA & T9 they will then be recognized as T9 athletes.
Bottom-line is we all need to assist non-Cheer supporters in the difference in being an athlete, which includes all Cheer LEADERS & ENTERTAINERS, and recognition as T9 athletes. By the way, for the men, this case did NOT address the role of men involved in Cheer.
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Let's restate the question in two primary parts;
1. Are Cheerleaders athletes?
2. Is Cheerleading a Sport?
#1. Cheer, Leaders or Entertainers are athletes! CheerLEADERS lead a crowd in support of some athletic team using a variety of verbal & physical skills to catch the crowds attention to begin chants & cheers. CheerENTERTAINERS use Cheer verbal & physical skills to practice in preparation for competitions sponsored by organizations like USASF.
#2. Cheerleading is not an NCAA or Title XI recognized Sport, … currently! The Quinnipiac University (QU) trial this past Summer was all about the qualification of the now Acrobats & Tumbling (A&T) team qualifying as Title XI (T9) athletes. Judge Underhill ruled that currently QU A&T does not meet the requirements of T9. Did you notice the word, … CURRENTLY? That means when QU does meet the qualifications for recognition by the NCAA & T9 they will then be recognized as T9 athletes.
Bottom-line is we all need to assist non-Cheer supporters in the difference in being an athlete, which includes all Cheer LEADERS & ENTERTAINERS, and recognition as T9 athletes. By the way, for the men, this case did NOT address the role of men involved in Cheer.
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Andre J. Carter 
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