Just because something is HARD, doesn't mean it's a SPORT.
Exactly. I don't think anyone who actually knows anything about cheerleading doubts that it's hard or that cheerleaders are athletes, but until there is a universal scoring system and a universal governing body that sanctions competitions (which I don't see in the near future), cheerleading won't be considered a sport.
On the other hand, I think cheerleaders, coaches and teams love cheerleading just the way it is and don't necessarily want to transition into STUNT or something similar that would be more appealing to organizations like the NCAA or, someday, an Olympic committee. Certainly EPs want to keep things the way they are, and in the cheerleading world, competitions like Cheersport, Jamfest and UCA/NCA are (rightfully) considered legitimate and prestigious, so there is no itch to change anything.
I am a fan of ideas like STUNT in that they take elements of cheer and create an actual head-to-head competition between two teams. If it were ever approved by the NCAA as a collegiate sport it would offer tons more scholarship opportunities, which would be fantastic. At the same time, do universities like Kentucky or Alabama really want to stop going to UCA Nationals, where they have built reputations and are considered national champs? Doubt it.
Either way, I see a long uphill battle for STUNT to be popularized or approved and for cheerleading to become a recognized sport. Like I said, although many colleges have been willing to participate in STUNT, I don't think they'd be willing to give up UCA/NCA or the other competitions where they've made a name for themselves. Many say they want cheerleading to be a sport, but if they knew the extreme amount of change that would have to take place for that to be so, I'm not sure they would feel the same.
I am no expert, this is just my take on this always prominent subject :]
