A federal judge has determined competitive cheerleading is not a federal sport. The ruling stems from a lawsuit originally filed by Quinnipiac College volleyball players after the school cancelled their sport and added competitive cheerleading. The judge expanded the case as a class action for all female athletes and ruled the college violated Title IX by failing to offer equal opportunity for men and women in its athletic programs.
In his ruling, which is available in its entirety at the Quinnipiac Chronicle website, U.S. District Judge Stefan Underhill clarified he was not ruling on the athleticism or merit of cheerleading, but rather on if competitive cheering was “a sport that offers genuine athletic participation for women under Title IX.” Several factors, including the fact the NCAA does not recognize competitive cheering as a sport as well as the squad’s recruiting practices and competitive schedule, led to his decision that cheering did not provide female athletes with opportunities equal to what male athletes received. In fact, he stated the cheering team had been forced to face a “motley assortment of competitors” during the season.
Despite the fact the ruling is a blow to those who would like to see competitive cheerleading categorized and recognized as a legitimate sport, it is a boost to Title IX, a law requiring gender equity for boys and girls in every educational program that receives federal funding.
Footnote: When we posed the question, “Is cheerleading a sport?” at The Skinny Scoop, the vote was split.
