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School Safety / Cheerleading: Acknowledged as competitive, but not recognized as a sport

By Megan Roth

Iowa Elite Cheer, Inc. (which is a competitive organization that focuses on the performance aspects of competitive cheerleading) states that their primary goal is "to build the best and most esteemed place in Iowato compete in All-Star Cheerleading." Whew - sounds intense.

Less extreme but equally moving is the goal of the Iowa Cheerleading Coaches' Association, which "shall be to promote, develop, improve, protect, and support cheerleaders, cheer coaches, and cheerleading in Iowa."

But despite the ICCA's dedication of time and the continuous effort they put into excelling cheerleading as a sport, the Iowa High School Athletic Association does not recognize it as such. Yet, its resource center features a Cheerleading link (which has a sub-site that links directly to none other than the Iowa Cheerleading Coaches' Association website). Hmm.if cheerleading is not a sport, it would merely qualify as an extracurricular activity, similar to say, speech club. So why, then, is speech club not linked on the IHSAA's website? Granted, it's not a sport, but neither is cheerleading, right?

Perhaps that's just the IHSAA refusing to admit that cheerleading is in fact a sport but acknowledging that certain athletic-based rules and regulations need be enforced.

So what, exactly, are those rules and regulations? And why are they necessary? Well according to the NCA (National Cheerleading Association), there's a lot of them - and they span a wide range of categories. There are standard safety regulations, all-star competition regulations, stunting and tumbling regulations (just to name a few). Oh - and did I mention that all those standards are different at the high school and collegiate levels?

And the differences are actually quite drastic. For example, at the collegiate level, 2 ½ high pyramids are prohibited from being performed on surfaces other than mats or grass. In high school, 2 ½ highs are prohibited - plain and simple.

And what happens if those rules are broken? There are consequences, that's for sure. At the competitive level, breaking the rules generally results in a point deduction. I suppose, looking at it from an athletic standpoint (just for comparative purposes.not saying it's a sport), it could be compared to lost yardage in a football game.

Although, perhaps that comparison is a lost cause. After all, according to the state, cheerleading is not a sport - it just plays out like one.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Megan Roth

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on September 25, 2008 (boomark / email).