Have you ever wondered how Competitive Cheer became a sport? Believe it or not it became a sport in the late 19th century. At first though it was an all-male sideline pep club that included flying high in the air, tumbling, elite stunts, and global competitions. It also originated on the sidelines of football from 1860-1940 but then advanced to spring floor competitions.
The first yell was organized by the Ivy League college football games in the 1860’s. Later on Johnny Campbell, led a coordinated crowd chant, marking the birth of organized cheerleading. The first squads were all-male teams. Later in the 1940’s. Lawerence “Herkie” Herkmier, founded the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) and organized the first formal cheerleading clinic in 1949. Introducing standardized training, Pom-poms, and spirit sticks.
Cheerleading is a sport that requires a lot of trust. We aren’t necessarily competing against another team which is unique- Haley Cooper.
In the 1950’s, and 1960’s, squads began adding music. Gymnastics, jumps and synchronized dance elements. The first competitions were held in the 1960’s and it brought the first ranking system for college squads, they also started broadcasting them. It grew extremely fast after they started broadcasting and then it spread to high school and got to the point of ESPN broadcasting them.
Starting in the early 2000’s it started to become normalized of having COED teams and all girl teams. Now it is the 6th most popular sport in high school in the United States today. They do high ranked stunt formations, intense tumbling passes and dance to an up beat music. There are All star teams that are normally held at cheer gyms, and then there are teams you can usually join at your High schools.
A good cheerleader is not measured by the height of her jumps but by the span of her spirits- Traditional Cheer Saying.
Competition cheer has definitely evolved over the past century and will definitely change over years to come. It such a fun high energy sport that people love and have done it their whole life. Along with the question have you wondered how cheer originated, have you ever thought about trying competition cheer?
