Is Cheerleading a sport?

[xVaBeachGal]

I'm currently arguing with someone on whether or not cheerleading is a sport.  Cheerleaders have competitions, you need to be "in shape" to perform, and people watch them on fields while they perform.

So what do you think... is Illini Cheerleading a sport or a U of I topic?

[Big Phil]

Having 4 daughters who cheerlead, yes, it is a sport. They take gymnastics, dance, tumbling, etc.. and put it all together into a routine, last year my 11 year old's team won the Illinois JV championship at NIU. lots of work, lots of cash.

I'm not talking rah rah only, they do that too. Pom Poms may be a little more in line with non sports type cheerleaders

[Crusader]

Having 4 daughters who cheerlead, yes, it is a sport. They take gymnastics, dance, tumbling, etc.. and put it all together into a routine, last year my 11 year old's team won the Illinois JV championship at NIU. lots of work, lots of cash.

I'm not talking rah rah only, they do that too. Pom Poms may be a little more in line with non sports type cheerleaders

C'mon Phil, really?  Then again you live in a house with 5 girls so you probably get a period too 

[Crusader]

Seriously, I think it could be considered a sport. 

[Big Phil]

 

it is definitely a sport, literally two hours a night doing tumbling/Gymnastics/stunt stuff and putting it in a routine that lasts 4 minutes for competitions. More of a sport than freaking Golf

[Firehawk]

judge rules against you Philly 

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/07/21/2010-07-21_cheerleading_is_not_a_sport_rules_judge_quinnipiac_university_cant_swap_volleyba.html

http://blogs.abcnews.com/campuschatter/2010/07/college-cheerleading-coach-agrees-its-not-a-sport-yet-.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38347400/ns/us_news-life/

[FlyinIllini89]

Competition cheering is definitely a sport, but I wouldn't say that cheering on the sideline of an athletic event is a sport.   In Ohio, 'Competition Cheering' is a different set of cheerleaders than those who cheer at sporting events.  In fact, there are 'club teams' for competition cheering that are outside of High School.  Competition cheering is FULL of accomplished gymnasts.    I would guess in college, there is no distinction between the two.  They are the same.  True?   

[Tesch27]

Not a sport.

IMO a sport is a competition in which my abilities alter your abilities and directly impacts the outcome. Cheerleading, golf, gymnastics, and other competitions in which a person has no control over an opponents performance is merely a competition NOT a sport. There are borderline sports/competitions like certain track and field events...but for me cheerleading is not a sport. Golf will raise eyebrows and again may be borderline only because you alter your game or shots based on your opponents score and performance hole by hole. In chearleading, gymnastics...you have a routine and are scored on that alone.

[Firehawk]

Not a sport.

IMO a sport is a competition in which my abilities alter your abilities and directly impacts the outcome. Cheerleading, golf, gymnastics, and other competitions in which a person has no control over an opponents performance is merely a competition NOT a sport. There are borderline sports/competitions like certain track and field events...but for me cheerleading is not a sport. Golf will raise eyebrows and again may be borderline only because you alter your game or shots based on your opponents score and performance hole by hole. In chearleading, gymnastics...you have a routine and are scored on that alone.

well said...i agree!

[Big Phil]

Not a sport.

IMO a sport is a competition in which my abilities alter your abilities and directly impacts the outcome. Cheerleading, golf, gymnastics, and other competitions in which a person has no control over an opponents performance is merely a competition NOT a sport. There are borderline sports/competitions like certain track and field events...but for me cheerleading is not a sport. Golf will raise eyebrows and again may be borderline only because you alter your game or shots based on your opponents score and performance hole by hole. In chearleading, gymnastics...you have a routine and are scored on that alone.

If you put the other sports in there as you did I agree (Boxing too)