Works+Cited

Brady, Erik. "Cheerleading in the USA: A sport and an industry." //USA// //TODAY//. 26 Apr. 2002. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. < [|http://www.usatoday.com/sports/_stories/2002-04-26- cheerleading-cover.htm] >.

USA Today, one of the more famous sources of news reports, provides an outtake on cheerleading as a sport and as a growing industry. With the facts and statistics to prove it, USA Today was able to prove that cheerleading is growing as a sport, faster than anyone had imagined. Not only has cheerleading grown as a sport, but it is unable to deny the fact that cheerleading is a growing industry. Varsity Spirit Corporation, the lead maker in sports equipment, proves that cheerleading is growing faster then any other sport. It is shown that cheerleaders put in an equal amount of hours in their sport as any other athlete puts in with theirs. USA Today also proves that cheerleaders are sought in other aspects in the lives of America and often wanted my corporate America in jobs, especially retail. George Bush, Halle Berry, and Katie Couric are among a few of the former cheerleaders who are now successful in their lives.

Ninemire, Valerie. "Cheerleaders are Super Athletes." //About.com//. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. < [] >.

In a recent study, cheerleaders were determined to be within the “superior athletes” category of fitness. Through a series of intense workout tests, such as treadmills and stationary cycles to review workout capacity, flexibility and body mass. Cheerleaders were ranged in “superior athletic fitness” with a low body fat mass and high flexibility. This proves that cheerleaders are athletic and work hard for what they do.

Peters, Craig. //Let's Go Team: Cheer, Dance, March//. Broomall: Mason Crest Publishers, Inc, 2003. Print.

//Let’s Go Team: Cheer, Dance, March// by Craig Peters, describes the history of cheerleading and how it has become what it is today. Both sides of cheerleading are described: spirit and athletic. It also discusses the difference between cheerleaders being athletic and cheerleading being a sport. Peters describes the official definition of a sport and the characteristics that allow an activity to be considered a sport. He tells how cheerleading follows each of these characteristics and, therefore, should be considered a sport. With statistics and plausible facts, //Let’s Go Team// is an accurate source and of good quality.

Smith, S.E. "What is Cheerleading?" //WiseGeek//. 2009. Web. 11 Nov. 2009. < [] >.

//WiseGeek// provides basic information about varied subjects. When it comes to cheerleading, WiseGeek provided a basic definition of what a cheerleader is and what it is that they do. With a brief overview of cheerleading history and how it came to be what it is today, cheerleading was determined to be a sport. The positions of cheerleading were reviewed within a stunt group. Just like any other sport, cheerleaders hold positions that they are built to know and perfect the duty.

Varisty. "Being a Cheerleader- Is Cheerleading Really a Sport?" //Varsity//. AACCA. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. < [|http://www.varsity.com/event/1262/being-a-cheerleader- sport.aspx] >.

//Varsity//, a part of the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administration, AACCA, proves that cheerleading is a sport and meets all of the specifications. Cheerleading is an athletic activity that, because it passes all of the sport qualifications, it is a sport. With the input from professional cheerleaders and former high level cheerleading coaches, it is proved that cheerleading is hard work and is a sport.

"Cheerleading as a Sport." //AACCA//. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. < [] >.

AACCA is the American Association for Cheerleading Coaches and Administration, a non-profit organization for the education on cheerleading safety. The information within the AACCA manual was gathered by top cheerleading professionals including college cheerleading coaches, doctors, business professionals, and lawyers. The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administration is frequently requested to examine the status of cheerleading in schools and its position as a sport. In this article, the organization discusses the responsibility of a cheerleading squad and what it is that they do. In addition to that, the athleticism of cheerleading is examined. The official definition of a sport is given and both sides of the argument are provided: cheerleading is a sport vs. cheerleading is an activity.

"Court Rules Cheerleading is Contact Sport." //ESPN//. ESPN Rise, 27 Jan. 2009. Web. 13 Nov. 2009. < [] >. //SPN// is the world’s biggest provider for sports information and daily updates. With multiple television channels, websites, and sponsor of many sports games and competitions, there is not doubting //ESPN’s// position in the world of sports. //ESPN// published an article on their website early in 2009 about a court ruling that determined cheerleading to be considered a contact sport. With the announcement of cheerleading being a contact sport, it means that cheerleading had to have been determined to be considered a sport first. Many people think that in order for something to be considered a contact sport, there must be physical contact between two opposing teams. However, this is not true. In order to be a contact sport, there must be physical contact between two or more athletes. With stunting, cheerleading is a contact sport and a sport in general.