Sports Illustrated » Is Cheerleading A Sport

Commonly used as a way to rouse the school spirit, cheerleading has been a major part of competitive sports and has become a separate sport itself. Cheerleading began in the 1880’s, when male students led a crowd in chants. It has been said it started at Princeton University as a way of stimulating the crowd at football games. After a few years, a Princeton graduate, Thomas Peebles, introduced this idea to the University of Minnesota. A student named Johnny Campbell reportedly got so excited at a game that he led the crowd in an organized chant, making Johnny the first cheerleader. By the 1920’s, women started participating in cheerleading, and by the 1940’s, cheerleading became mainly a female activity.

In 1948, Lawrence Herkimer, better known as Herkie, established the first cheerleading clinic. The National Cheerleading Association held its first clinic with 52 girls in attendance. Herkie made slogans, buttons and ribbons to raise money. By the following year, the clinic grew to 350 cheerleaders. By the 50’s, most schools in America had formed their own cheerleading squads, and by the 60’s, competitions began to appear. The annual “Top Ten College Cheer Squads” and “Cheerleader All-America” were two of the first cheerleading competitions.

The early 70’s saw the rise of the Baltimore Colts organized cheerleading squad. But it was the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders who gained popularity because of their “pom-pom Broadway style” dance. By the 1980’s, cheerleading became more competitive with more difficult stunts and the incorporation of gymnastic movements. Safety guidelines were established and coaches as well as sponsors were trained.

Cheerleading provides detailed information on Cheerleading, Cheerleading Uniforms, Cheerleading Cheers, Cheerleading Stunts and more. Cheerleading is affiliated with Gymnastics Instructions.

Source: www.isnare.com