Is cheerleading a sport?

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That seems to be the question at the heart of a dispute that we’re certain to hear more about. Here’s the deal – the Reynolds High School cheerleading coach has quit her job because the school’s athletic director won’t display a photo of the state championship-winning team over the school’s trophy case.

The coach, Bobbie Tweed, says her girls are crushed. There’s a photo of the 2005 state championship-winning cheerleading team over the trophy case, after all. But the school AD, Jim Sziksai, says the team is getting plenty of love in the form of a banner for the gym and individual plaques and T-shirts.

The controversy isn’t over yet. Cheerleader parents are meeting with Sziksai on Wednesday.

So what do you think? Should cheerleaders be honored alongside baseball and basketball players?

2 Comments

Carole March 13, 2007 - 6:25 pm

It’s a trophy case for school achievements, for God’s sake! Why in the world would the AD have any say in the matter? What if it were a competition of minds? They competed and won. Let them hang their plaque!

Martha March 12, 2007 - 1:01 pm

When I was in high school I would have said "no." Cheerleading was only popular, pretty girls yelling while moving in sync with some dance moves. Now cheerleading involves gymnastics, acrobatics, strength, and a great deal of risk of injury. Beauty alone doesn’t cut it. You have to be athletic to be on the squad. Give those young women the space in the cabinet.

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