Cheerleaders are now classified as “spectators” and “support groups”. This is a BIG downgrade to these girls who have worked long hours preparing for the upcoming season. We are very excited (and grateful) for our boy and girl basketball players to be able to step onto the court, but this isn’t fair to the other ATHLETES mentioned. Each of them had to have a SPORTS physical in order to PARTICIPATE, just like the ball players did. SPECTATORS pay to get into each game - CHEERLEADERS do not. Cheer IS a sport. How disheartening to have thrown in your face that you’re only viewed as a “spectator” and “support group” to your school and community.

SPECTATORS are there with no preparation and no additional value given to the outcome. Cheerleaders practice, work hard, and prepare for EACH game. They practice weekly as well. 

What about during a “normal” season? Cheerleaders are asked to attend camp, pay money out of pocket to prepare for upcoming seasons, decorate gyms and/or stadiums with signs and banners, learn multiple half time routines for both football and basketball seasons, and travel to each home and away game. HOW can you now refer to them as nothing more than a SPECTATOR?