Cheer and dance teams deserve recognition and funding as official sports at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

The UCSB spirit teams, including cheer and dance, are essential to our university's sports culture. They inspire school spirit, support athletic teams, and represent UCSB at campus events and competitions. However, despite their hard work and dedication, these teams are not recognized as official sports and must operate as self-supporting clubs. This lack of recognition means cheer and dance teams receive no university funding, leaving them to rely entirely on fundraising, personal expenses, and donations to cover uniforms, travel, competition fees, and other necessary resources. Without financial support, their ability to represent UCSB proudly is severely limited.

While UCSB athletes in other sports receive university funding and support, spirit teams are unfairly excluded. This lack of institutional support:

- Creates financial barriers for team members.

- Restricts opportunities to attend national competitions.

- Reduces access to adequate training, equipment, and facilities.

- Undervalues the contributions of spirit teams to campus culture and pride.

These inequities perpetuate the outdated notion that spirit teams are not "real athletes," despite the physical and mental demands of cheer and dance. This is a clear violation of the principles of equality and fairness.

What Do We Want?

We are calling on the UCSB administration and athletics department to:

1. Recognize cheer and dance as official sports within the UCSB athletic department.  

2. Provide adequate funding to spirit teams for training, travel, competitions, and other necessary resources.  

3. Acknowledge the significant contributions of cheer and dance to campus life and UCSB's athletic success.

The cheer and dance teams continue to excel despite limited resources. They represent UCSB in competitions and perform at events with passion and pride. It’s time for UCSB to match their dedication by providing them with the support and recognition they deserve. In an era where equity and inclusion are at the forefront of the university values, recognizing the cheer and dance teams as equal to other athletes is a critical step toward creating a more just and supportive campus environment.

How Can You Help?

Sign this petition to show your support for UCSB cheer and dance teams. Your signature will send a clear message to the UCSB administration: Our spirit teams deserve recognition and funding as official sports! Together, we can help ensure all UCSB athletes have the opportunity to thrive.

Sign and share this petition with your fellow Gauchos, alumni, and anyone who believes in equal opportunities for all athletes at UCSB. Let’s make this change happen!