Topic+brainstorm+mind+map

Why should noncompetitive cheerleading be considered a sport by other athletes? - noncompetitive - cheerleading - sport - athletes

“If cheerleading were any easier, it would be called football” “I trade sweat for strength. I trade doubt for belief. I trade cheerleading for nothing.” “Wimps lift weights, cheerleaders lift people.” []

“In other sports, if you miss the catch, all you drop is the ball.” “This sport isn’t about million dollar contracts or over-priced shoes. It’s about Dedication and Determination. My mind is sharp and my body is strong. I may not be the biggest athlete out there, but Nothing is Larger than my Spirit.” []

“We make it look easy, but like all sports it takes hard work and dedication.” “Wanna know what a real champion looks like? Gimme 2 minutes and 30 seconds and I’ll show you.” []

Top 10 Attributes of a True Champion []
 * 1) A champion takes pride and pleasure in the thrill of victory, while recognizing that they did not get there alone but had lots of help along the way.
 * 2) A champion suffers the agony of defeat with dignity, because even champions will suffer losses sometimes, a champion uses the lessons learned in defeat to redouble their efforts, pick themselves up, and try again, harder and smarter.
 * 3) Champions take lessons and listen to coaches or mentors. They realize that natural talent only takes you so far and even the best have to keep learning or risk being left behind. Champions are not “lone rangers.”
 * 4) Champions are not satisfied with good enough, because good enough is lazy and it’s never really good enough. Champions always want to be better, to reach for the best.
 * 5) A champion works as a member of a team, even when engaged in a solitary event, know that working for others adds value, inspiration, and motivation to individual effort.
 * 6) A champion practices the basics over and over until they become automatic and then practices some more so they stay automatic. You don’t hear a champion say “It’s boring” and boredom’s not used as an excuse to avoid attention to fundamentals.
 * 7) Champions don’t want easy victories. They seek challenges that will stretch their skills and make them grow. They learn from adversity more than they learn from success.
 * 8) Champions show up and do their homework. They prepare for every contest and do their best every time, not just when it’s convenient.
 * 9) A champion is self-disciplined, don’t what needs to be done on their own, and for the discipline of the event, not because someone else demands and enforces it.
 * 10) A champion realizes that a victory this year won’t make things easier next year. In fact, next year will likely be harder. This year’s success raises the bar of expectation so they must redouble their efforts if they want to stay on top. Champions relish new and harder challenges.

"The cheerleader, where once merely tolerated, is now a person of regal estate. His prestige is such that in many schools and colleges he must win his place through competitive examinations." - Willis Bugbee (Let's Go Team) "Cheerleaders know how to set goals and how to work hard to attain them. They are competitive, and they understand personality and body language." - T. Lynn Williamson cheer adviser (Cheerleading in the USA) "College cheer is all about athletics." Tina Simijoski maryland cheer coach (Cheerleading in the USA) "Cheerleading can be a sport. The problem is the way it's treated." (Treat Cheerleading as a Full-Fledged Sport) "If people don't respect your program now, just throw the "sport" title around and see how much worse they think of you. Respect is earned, and there are plenty of teams that get it by doing what they are supposed to do and by being good role models." -Jim Lord Executive director of AACCA (Being a Cheerleader- Is Cheerleading a Sport?)