- Jan 3, 2010
- 305
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There are now 4 different forms of competitive cheerleading at the college level.
Cheerleading is sideline only. I can't imagine most if any schools to completely abandon having athletes on the sidelines leading the crowd.
Competitive Cheer is a team that goes to competions (I know, duh). Some teams at schools do this after their Sideline Cheerleading duties, some are formed primarily to compete. Either way even the most respected are only considered and activity at their school and can all fall to the same fate of UofA or TCU at anytime.
Yes NCATA is creating a new sport and thus creating opportunity at their member schools. They did something right if they figured out a format that is recognized by their athletic departments. They are the only organization to be successful at this.
STUNT created a format very similar to NCATA, but by trying to keep to their NCA/UCA style it falls short of academic department acceptance.
So now that we have all these choices at some point we need to find the best solution or compromise for the college community as a whole. It will probably involve making a choice: do you want to be a legitimate sport and be treated as such? If so that will come with many perks and protections, but it has to include some rules and regulations. One major choice will be that if you competitive cheer you will not be able to sideline cheer.
I think there are enough college bound allstars that are willing to make that choice if we provide it for them.
Choices are wonderful SharkDad. Thus far, 90% of the athletes receiving NCATA scholarships and a dedicated budget to both their academics and athletic health are from the allstar world. At the end of the day, the "we" who provides a choice is University Presidents and Athletic Administrators.