Franklin D. Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush all have something in common besides their presidencies. They were all male cheerleaders. In 1898, cheerleading began as an all male sport which is ironic considering all the negatives stereotypes that surround male cheerleaders today.
One common misconception is that boys who cheerlead do so because they are not physically strong enough to participate in other sports.However, in order to be a male cheerleader (or cheerleader in general), one must possess impressive strength, flexibility, endurance,and power.
There are advantages to having a boy on a cheerleading team.
“Having a boy on the team would be great because we would have more opportunities to compete in different competitions due to having a co-ed team,” said Adrianna DellaValle who has been a member of the Woodland Cheer team for three years.
Caitlyn Martin, a freshman on the team, adds, “Boys would be beneficial on the team because they tend to get more height on jumps, and they could really help out with stunts.”
There are also significant advantages that come with being a boy on a cheerleading team.
For instance, there is an abundance of scholarships available to talented boy cheerleaders. According to wgntv.com, 97% of high school cheerleaders are female, however, at the college level, the gender balance is about 50-50. This means male cheerleaders are in high demand,and as a result, some colleges with competitive cheerleading teams are willing to offer generous scholarships. Boys should consider this factor very carefully. In college, boys will have more difficulty getting on all-boy teams, as there will be a lot of candidates applying. For instance, only 3-4% of high school football players are able to play college football. Athletic boys who are seeking a sport in which they can still play in college might be wise to consider cheerleading.
So, if you are a boy who is hesitant about trying out for cheer because of the social stigma surrounding boy cheerleading, reconsider. Male cheerleaders have to be physically strong, and competing would be a great benefit to both the Woodland team and themselves.
Tina is the Executive Social Media Director, and in charge of managing Hawk Headlines. She has spent three full semesters here, and is heavily involved with theater. Tina describes herself as a "pop culture aficionado".
