Former NFL Cheerleader Fighting to Make Cheer a Sport

In June, we shared the news that cheerleaders and a state representative in Massachusetts had filed a legislation to recognize cheerleading as a sport. The Joint Committee on Education is currently still reviewing that bill. If it passes, cheerleading would be recognized as an interscholastic sport in Massachusetts. One of the bill’s defenders is a former NFL cheerleader, who spoke to the State House about how cheer is a sport. Cheryl Duddy Schoenfeld is part of cheerleading history in more ways than one. She was a cheerleader for the New England Patriots in the second year that they had cheerleaders. She is also the co-founder of the New England Professional Cheerleaders Alumni Association. The nonprofit is composed of former NFL cheerleaders; the group promotes mental and physical health for young athletes. Now active in politics in her hometown of Dedham, Massachusetts, Cheryl is fighting alongside the many other cheerleaders. She was quoted as saying that she hopes that cheerleading will eventually not only be designated as a sport in Massachusetts, but also nationwide. Having been a cheerleader many years ago, Cheryl knows personally how far cheerleading has evolved – from sideline yells to tumbling and gymnastics. According to the Daily News Transcript, she told the committee, “cheerleading team members are some of the most talented athletes in their schools who do fast paced routines and acrobatic stunts, lifting, tossing and catching their fellow cheerleading team athletes.” While many individuals, both public citizens and committee members, believe that cheerleading should be considered a sport, we won’t know for sure until Massachusetts makes its decision. Currently, 29 state high school athletic associations recognize cheer as a sport. If it passes, Massachusetts’ Committee will become the 30th. It is unfortunate that even if the bill passes it will not affect Title IX ruling and would not give school cheer programs additional funding. However, it would give cheerleaders the opportunity to apply for and receive sportsmanship awards and scholarships, access to certified trainers, medical coverage at events, and access to trained coaches. News Source: The Daily News Transcript Do you think cheerleading will eventually be recognized by all states as a sport?