I think part of it is a matter of us promoting ourselves. I think if your team makes it to a competition, and all of the parents make a huge deal out of it, people notice more often. However, I think geography affects it; teams in the South (and now NY/NJ) tend to receive recognition from people outside of their cheer community; principals and ADs because in those areas, cheer is just a bigger deal. When North Laurel (I always mention them but they are my absolute favorite MS/Medium Varsity program) won Nationals, they were driven through London, KY in a motorcade! When it reached the school, the girls would go into the gym wearing their jackets, where friends and family were waiting with signs and applause. I think principal actually would actually speak at the ceremony basically thanking them for bring (yet another) title home. They get lots of respect. Of course, there are some people in those areas who think that any sort of recognition given to the girls is a waste of money. Some people in Greenup think it's stupid that the cheerleaders get so much focus, but LBH what other program in that area has the legacy that cheer does? I don't see the football or basketball team having 14 state championships to their credit (if they do, somebody please correct me).