The Real Sport: The Evolution Of Cheerleading
Evolution of Cheerleading Cheerleaders have been inspiring crowds for years, but not everyone considered cheer as a real sport. Since the beginning of cheerleading in the late 1800 's, it has been a part of sports like football and rugby (iSport). Cheering is not just yelling a bunch of chants anymore. The role of a cheerleader has long been considered as a girl position, when in fact cheerleading was started by men. Cheerleading was first recognized in 1903," with a group of men coming together and leading crowds at football and basketball games" (iSport). It was not until World War II that women became the dominate figure of cheerleading. With the men away at war, there was no option but to allow women in this role. With
the introduction of women in cheerleading, the movements of cheer began to evolve. Dance, tumbling, and stunts were some of the few changes made my female cheerleaders. In 1948, cheerleading had another significant change with the beginning of cheerleading training camp. Lawrence "Herkie" Herkimer started the cheering clinic concept in Texas. Herkimer brought a new technique, the "Herkie" jump, along with the use of "pom-poms" and other cheer concepts used today. He was later titled the "Grandfather of Cheerleading", with the development of the National Cheerleading Association (CheerUnion). Among changes through the years, was the uniform styles. The cheerleading uniforms started out as big, bulky sweaters, and ankle-length wool skirts. These uniforms must have been so heavy and hard to move in. As the years have progressed, so has the styles of the cheerleading uniforms (iSport). Today 's uniforms are light weight, very short, and easy to move in, making cheer movements much easier. The spirit stick and the megaphone have become a staple part of the cheer uniform. Today 's cheerleader is easily identified at sporting events. Cheerleading can be found in almost every public high school, it is not just for the college sports anymore. Cheerleading groups can be found also in areas outside of the school systems, such as non-profit organizations, pee-wee sports, and competition teams. Since the 1970 's, cheerleaders have been considered athletes, not just someone to lead a crowd. Performing stunts, pyramids, dance routines, and cheers has become the role of today 's cheerleaders (CheerUnion). Cheerleading is a form of inspiration and entertainment. The duties of the cheerleader have evolved through the years and today is considered to be a true sport by ESPN (iSport). The job of the cheerleader is considered one of the most important in some sports. To encourage and inspire a losing team to continue to fight for the almighty win is one of the hardest jobs a cheerleader must endure (CheerUnion).
Work Cited
"History of Cheerleading."www.Cheerleading.isport.com/cheerleading-guides/history-of-cheerleading. N.p.. Web. 25 Aug 2013.
"History of Cheerleading." The International Cheer Union. N.p.. Web. 25 Aug 2013. .
the introduction of women in cheerleading, the movements of cheer began to evolve. Dance, tumbling, and stunts were some of the few changes made my female cheerleaders. In 1948, cheerleading had another significant change with the beginning of cheerleading training camp. Lawrence "Herkie" Herkimer started the cheering clinic concept in Texas. Herkimer brought a new technique, the "Herkie" jump, along with the use of "pom-poms" and other cheer concepts used today. He was later titled the "Grandfather of Cheerleading", with the development of the National Cheerleading Association (CheerUnion). Among changes through the years, was the uniform styles. The cheerleading uniforms started out as big, bulky sweaters, and ankle-length wool skirts. These uniforms must have been so heavy and hard to move in. As the years have progressed, so has the styles of the cheerleading uniforms (iSport). Today 's uniforms are light weight, very short, and easy to move in, making cheer movements much easier. The spirit stick and the megaphone have become a staple part of the cheer uniform. Today 's cheerleader is easily identified at sporting events. Cheerleading can be found in almost every public high school, it is not just for the college sports anymore. Cheerleading groups can be found also in areas outside of the school systems, such as non-profit organizations, pee-wee sports, and competition teams. Since the 1970 's, cheerleaders have been considered athletes, not just someone to lead a crowd. Performing stunts, pyramids, dance routines, and cheers has become the role of today 's cheerleaders (CheerUnion). Cheerleading is a form of inspiration and entertainment. The duties of the cheerleader have evolved through the years and today is considered to be a true sport by ESPN (iSport). The job of the cheerleader is considered one of the most important in some sports. To encourage and inspire a losing team to continue to fight for the almighty win is one of the hardest jobs a cheerleader must endure (CheerUnion).
Work Cited
"History of Cheerleading."www.Cheerleading.isport.com/cheerleading-guides/history-of-cheerleading. N.p.. Web. 25 Aug 2013.
"History of Cheerleading." The International Cheer Union. N.p.. Web. 25 Aug 2013. .