Cheerleading Ruled Not a Sport
Libby Sander at the Chronicle reports that cheerleading does not count in meeting Title IX requirements. That’s because, according to District Judge Stefan R. Underhill, it’s not a sport.
According to Title IX:
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance…
—United States Code Section 2
Quinnipiac University had hoped to save some money by cutting the volleyball team and replacing it with a competitive cheerleading squad.
According to the LA Times:
“Competitive cheer may, some time in the future, qualify as a sport under Title IX,” Underhill wrote. “Today, however, the activity is still too underdeveloped and disorganized to be treated as offering genuine varsity athletic participation opportunities for students.”
The physicality of cheerleading isn’t the issue:
An activity can be considered a sport under Title IX if it meets specific criteria. It must have coaches, practices, competitions during a defined season and a governing organization. The activity also must have competition as its primary goal — not merely the support of other athletic teams.
Quinnipiac spokeswoman Lynn Bushnell said the school was disappointed its cheer team will lose varsity status.
The 95-page ruling is here.
