All-Star Why Do We Want It So Bad?

[AllHeartxo3]

There is always talk about how we need to do this or that so we can be recognized as a sport to the world, but why? Why do we want to be recognized as a sport so bad? We would have to break down so many stereotypes that society has of us and have them see what we do, to know there is more than the cheerleaders at high school basketball/ football games. To show them we aren't the Lakers or Dallas Cowboy "cheerleaders". I don't feel the need anymore to defend myself against people who are too simpleminded to even listen or watch a video to prove my point. And if they do watch a video they swear up and down they can do the same thing right now. I'm happy knowing that this is a sport and we work just as hard, if not harder, than other sports out there. I'm a cheerleader and I am proud! If people aren't willing to be open minded about this then I don't care what they think in the first place.

Discuss.

 

[EmmaMazza:)]

i wish cheerleading would be recognized as a sport. but i don't particularly want it to get as popular as football and baseball. i like the separate little world all star is and i don't necessarily want it to gain THAT much exposure.

 

[wcsstilldeath]

I think people just like the idea of it being a sport more then it physically being a sport. If it gets declared a sport, the public will view it as more reputable which can be beneficial on things like college applications.

 

[sizzles]

Because after everything we put into this, it is an insult to not be considered a sport.

For people to say that cheerleading is not hard, is not athletic, is not every bit as psychically and mentally demanding as other activities we do consider sports, is the same thing as saying, "You can put everything you have into this. You can dedicate your life, your money, your health, your blood, sweat, and tears, but it's just a hobby. You haven't earned the recognition."

It's a form of acknowledgement from the world outside of cheerleading - a world very uneducated about us. To receive that from people who can barely grasp what we do for this sport means we have earned the respect that has eluded us for so long. And let's be honest - I think we deserve some credit for what we do.

 

[INeverStopCheering]

Just because cheerleading isn't a sport, does not mean we are not athletes. The word sport is nothing more than just that. A word. Bowling, darts, nascar, and ping pong, are technically "sports" but but we don't consider them athletes. I think we need to gain recognition as athletes. However, gaining sport status is a means of respect and officiality. It means funding for school cheerleading. It means what we hope will be the end of the "cheerleader" stereotype. It means no one can ever use cheerleading not being a sport as an insult. What we want it respect for what we do. Call it a sport, call it an activity, call it whatever you want. But let people know we're legitimate. I don't think we want sport status to prove all those naysayers wrong. We want it for more organization, more safety. We want it for the hope of someday seeing our country's team win the gold in Olympic Cheerleading. We want everyone to understand who we are and what we do. On the downside being a sport means more rules, restrictions, and limitations that we might not like. It means no more sponsored teams without forefeit of college scholarships. It means a lot more USASF intervention and a lot less variation between comps. I'll close with something a coworker of mine said. "I don't need someone to tell me I'm doing a sport, I work my butt off everyday and I know I'm an athlete"

 

[vipergirlie]

Respect.

 

[AllHeartxo3]

That brings up another question. When it is said that we want it as a sport, what does that mean to you? Does that mean you want respect? Does that mean you want the title of it being considered a sport? Does that mean you want all of the perks of it being considered a sport (such as better high school funding and looking good on your college apps)? Or is there something else?

 

[Cheer4ever]

I think school cheerleading should be named a different name cause Allstar and school are two different thigs! haha even though i do school cheer too lol

 

[Drkilluzionz]

I like the term Athletic Activity better than sport. The classification as a sport would onslaught so many tedious regulations, mandates and policies that I really think it would change everything the majority of people love about cheerleading.

 

[newcheerdad]

That brings up another question. When it is said that we want it as a sport, what does that mean to you? Does that mean you want respect? Does that mean you want the title of it being considered a sport? Does that mean you want all of the perks of it being considered a sport (such as better high school funding and looking good on your college apps)? Or is there something else?

Until cheer has a truly common set of rules and a universal scoring system, debating about whether it should or should not be a sport is a moot point.

I like the term Athletic Activity better than sport. The classification as a sport would onslaught so many tedious regulations, mandates and policies that I really think it would change everything the majority of people love about cheerleading.

For everyone that dismisses the idea of cheer being a sport, ask yourself what you fear. The idea of a strong governing body in cheer that might actually enforce universal scoresheets, athlete registration and credentialing? The thought that we might have more regulations that might impede "creativity"? I know it's come up in passing in other threads, but I'm curious as to why people are so concerned about the "sport" designation.

 

[notimeforthat]

My house revolves around cheerleading. It effects most family meals, weekends and our finances. It consumes more time and energy than a full time job. My CP trains 5 days a week for this sport and she is 10. She sits in a car 15 plus hours a week for this sport. She goes to bed at midnight after a long commute home from the gym and gets up at 6 am for school.
When I tell anyone that is not involved in cheer (and some that are) this is what my life is they think I am TOTALLY OFF MY ROCKER.
If I told them she was a gymnast training to try out for Team USA and compete in the Olympics they would be thrilled and totally accepting.

 

[AllHeartxo3]

So I'm seeing more along the lines of respect than sport. Of course we all want respect, I'd rather have that than a label of what we actually do. If I say I'm an allstar cheerleader I want people to respect that I work hard and respect me. I don't care if they think it's a sport, an activity, or a hobby at that. Again I'll say that if we know we work hard and we know that we are more than what society sees us as, why do we want a pat on the back? It has gotten to the point with me if someone doesn't respect what I do, than that's their ignorance showing. My mom always told me not to deal with ignorant people

 

[Angelica]

Maybe if it was a considered a "sport" we would get a longer airing for worlds on tv.

 

[beccamarie]

I would just like some respect from other people! I would not like this sport to get as popular as some of the other sports, all I want is respect!

 

[ian]

I don't like calling us "cheerleaders", simply because it's more than that. We are not your traditional spirit leading team. We are athletes! I like to call us "CHEER ATHLETES"