i didnt know it was possible for the state to do that...
i have a question, i dont know if anyone can answer it, but does that mean males are not allowed to cheer for all star teams? they said in the video that they couldnt cheer out of season, and technically there is no SEASON for it because the season they are talking about is football, and we dont normally compete during fotball season. so whats the deal?
I understood it as HIGH SCHOOL cheer teams can only be female. So, if a guy wants to cheer and compete he would have to go to an all star gym. But looking at that team they were showing, they seemed good. It would be a shame to disban a great team like that and force them to do all star only. And it costs a whole lot more for all stars.
If this ruling stands, it would be a great opportunity for someone to go into that area and start up an all star gym if they don't already have some good programs.
Lets hope it doesn't come to that and they can get this ruling reversed.
In Michigan high schools, competitive cheerleading is a sport. They have an entirely different format than any used by any major compeition company. There are 3 rounds, one of which is just motions and jumps, one of which is tumbling and one of which includes stunting. There is no music (all wordy story-like cheers) and they have a bunch of other interesting rules and regulations too. Males are not allowed.
In the past, high school teams could choose to be "sideline" teams, and not fall into this sport classification. Sideline teams were able to compete at any competitions they chose. There were a number of teams that have been very successful at major events like UCA HS Nationals (Plymouth-Salem, Romeo, etc). So basically, in the past, you could go either way.
Well, now the state athletic association decided to pass rules saying that sideline teams are not allowed to compete. So, now not only do you have a bunch of males who can't compete for their school, you also have a lot of girls that want to do both HS and all-stars that are being told they can't (because you can't be on an all-star team and do the same sport at your school. Since they now bascially are regulating sideline cheer as a sport, there is a problem.).
Losing co-ed squads isn't the only problem with this (although a pretty darn big one!) there is also the problem that their format of competition is really detrimental to ahtlete's development. For example, last time I checked, you got the same amount of difficulty points for doing splits all 3 ways as for doing a standing back tuck. And extensions are considered elite level stunts. Not to mention there are NO COLLEGES that use this style. SO really its not in the athlete's best interest to go to this format either. Most halfway decent level 3 teams could put the state champions of this other format to shame.
So its definitely a situation of be careful what you wish for. May want to rethink those "cheerleading is a sport" arguments, eh?
this ruling is so discrimanatory. i certainly hope that they get this overturned. it would have devastating ramifications if it was allowed to stand. can you IMAGINE waht this would mean if it happened in other states? SHAME on them.
I agree Stingray Mom. This is discriminating against boys and that's just wrong. To all the MI boys, So Cal LOVES it's boys and you can cheer with So Cal girls on your team!!! Can't get better than THAT!!! Come on down!
