(04-09-2015 09:17 PM)Pounce FTW Wrote:  I definitely don't follow cheerleading but am glad a Belt school is doing so well. I really don't understand why the NCAA doesn't take it on as a sport, unless the other organizations are so entrenched at this point that there would be bad politics involved.

(04-10-2015 07:27 AM)NCeagle Wrote:  

(04-09-2015 09:17 PM)Pounce FTW Wrote:  I definitely don't follow cheerleading but am glad a Belt school is doing so well. I really don't understand why the NCAA doesn't take it on as a sport, unless the other organizations are so entrenched at this point that there would be bad politics involved.

I think the reason for it, is not all schools compete. Cheering for football games is not a sport, and not at cheerleading squads are even necessarily athletic, or do anything athletic, and are basically glorified dance teams.

Another issue, is that if it were to be classified as a sport, I believe schools would then be required to have athletic training staff at all practices and events.

And lastly, cheerleading brings in zero money. To go to college nationals, it costs each squad approximately $10k. So in this case, Ga Southern had to raise about $20k, less whatever small budget they are given.

There are some schools however that offer scholarships for cheerleading, UK, Louisville, Stephen F Austin to name a few. Those teams typically win or compete to win at the higher level, because they offer scholarships. That's why a lot of schools like us, UGA, Ohio St compete at the intermediate level because the playing field is a bit more even. Basically think, non scholarship football team v a scholarship football team.

(04-10-2015 08:08 AM)Pounce FTW Wrote:  

(04-10-2015 07:27 AM)NCeagle Wrote:  

(04-09-2015 09:17 PM)Pounce FTW Wrote:  I definitely don't follow cheerleading but am glad a Belt school is doing so well. I really don't understand why the NCAA doesn't take it on as a sport, unless the other organizations are so entrenched at this point that there would be bad politics involved.

I think the reason for it, is not all schools compete. Cheering for football games is not a sport, and not at cheerleading squads are even necessarily athletic, or do anything athletic, and are basically glorified dance teams.

Another issue, is that if it were to be classified as a sport, I believe schools would then be required to have athletic training staff at all practices and events.

And lastly, cheerleading brings in zero money. To go to college nationals, it costs each squad approximately $10k. So in this case, Ga Southern had to raise about $20k, less whatever small budget they are given.

There are some schools however that offer scholarships for cheerleading, UK, Louisville, Stephen F Austin to name a few. Those teams typically win or compete to win at the higher level, because they offer scholarships. That's why a lot of schools like us, UGA, Ohio St compete at the intermediate level because the playing field is a bit more even. Basically think, non scholarship football team v a scholarship football team.

All good points. I guess I assumed that a lot of cheerleaders at schools like Georgia State were on scholarship, but now that I think about it, there's a good chance that's not the case. Cheerleading's place as a sport may be too fuzzy for NCAA sponsorship. It just seems like if they can sponsor, say, rhythmic/artistic gymnastics, cheer would make sense, too. Might even legitimize things in more people's eyes and help in getting on TV. And I think it's been pointed out around here that it could help some schools with Title IX concerns (or...maybe it would just complicate things...I dunno).

(04-10-2015 08:11 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  South Alabama isn't very good right now. They're in Daytona as well but they're already out of it. BUT...

1. We do have cheer scholarships. I thought that was the norm?

2. Our mascot Southpaw won a national championship in 2010. Check out his routine below:

(04-10-2015 08:22 AM)APPrising Wrote:  Here is one of my favorite former App cheerleaders

(04-10-2015 09:15 AM)boroeagle2 Wrote:  Keep the pics coming! Let's really get this thread firing on all cyllinders!

(04-10-2015 09:17 AM)NCeagle Wrote:  

(04-10-2015 09:15 AM)boroeagle2 Wrote:  Keep the pics coming! Let's really get this thread firing on all cyllinders!

I'd post a picture of myself, but I don't think that is what you were looking for. haha

(04-10-2015 08:45 AM)NCeagle Wrote:  

(04-10-2015 08:08 AM)Pounce FTW Wrote:  

(04-10-2015 07:27 AM)NCeagle Wrote:  

(04-09-2015 09:17 PM)Pounce FTW Wrote:  I definitely don't follow cheerleading but am glad a Belt school is doing so well. I really don't understand why the NCAA doesn't take it on as a sport, unless the other organizations are so entrenched at this point that there would be bad politics involved.

I think the reason for it, is not all schools compete. Cheering for football games is not a sport, and not at cheerleading squads are even necessarily athletic, or do anything athletic, and are basically glorified dance teams.

Another issue, is that if it were to be classified as a sport, I believe schools would then be required to have athletic training staff at all practices and events.

And lastly, cheerleading brings in zero money. To go to college nationals, it costs each squad approximately $10k. So in this case, Ga Southern had to raise about $20k, less whatever small budget they are given.

There are some schools however that offer scholarships for cheerleading, UK, Louisville, Stephen F Austin to name a few. Those teams typically win or compete to win at the higher level, because they offer scholarships. That's why a lot of schools like us, UGA, Ohio St compete at the intermediate level because the playing field is a bit more even. Basically think, non scholarship football team v a scholarship football team.

All good points. I guess I assumed that a lot of cheerleaders at schools like Georgia State were on scholarship, but now that I think about it, there's a good chance that's not the case. Cheerleading's place as a sport may be too fuzzy for NCAA sponsorship. It just seems like if they can sponsor, say, rhythmic/artistic gymnastics, cheer would make sense, too. Might even legitimize things in more people's eyes and help in getting on TV. And I think it's been pointed out around here that it could help some schools with Title IX concerns (or...maybe it would just complicate things...I dunno).

(04-10-2015 08:11 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  South Alabama isn't very good right now. They're in Daytona as well but they're already out of it. BUT...

1. We do have cheer scholarships. I thought that was the norm?

2. Our mascot Southpaw won a national championship in 2010. Check out his routine below:

yeah, cheerleading scholarships are definitely not the norm.

And Pounce, I completely agree on title iix. Most schools have a cheerleading squad so that would automatically take care of quite a few women's scholarships, even though a lot of schools have coed squads.

Do you know if USA offers full or just partial scholarships by any chance?

(04-10-2015 12:34 PM)NCeagle Wrote:  All girl wins national championship number 5 in 8 years. Woohoo. UF took second.

(04-10-2015 01:31 PM)sidslidkid Wrote:  

(04-10-2015 12:34 PM)NCeagle Wrote:  All girl wins national championship number 5 in 8 years. Woohoo. UF took second.

That's awesome news! Congrats girls!

(04-10-2015 09:15 AM)boroeagle2 Wrote:  Keep the pics coming! Let's really get this thread firing on all cyllinders!