Is Cheerleading A University Sport?

A trial underway in Bridgeport federal court may decide whether colleges can consider cheerleading a sport under Title IX gender-equity regulations.  

The coach and five members of Quinnipiac University’s women’s volleyball team sued the school in 2009 after university officials decided, due to budgetary constraints, that Quinnipiac would eliminate women’s volleyball in favor of a competitive cheerleading squad. The school says cheer teams cost less and involve more women. And that they say helps Quinnipiac meet its Title IX obligations that ensure equal athletic opportunities for women.  But last year, a federal judge stopped the school from disbanding the women’s volleyball team until the case is resolved. 

One key question is whether cheerleading is, in fact, a university sport.  Supporters of the idea say cheerleaders train for competitions as well as stand on the sidelines to support other teams. But opponents say cheerleading doesn’t qualify under Title IX and the NCAA doesn’t consider it an emerging sport. 

The judge will also have to rule on whether Quinnipiac improperly manipulated roster numbers to meet Title IX requirements. 

In a statement, Quinnipiac’s vice-president for public affairs Lynn Bushnell says “The university believes that it has complied with all aspects of Title IX legislation and will continue to do so”. 

For WNPR, I'm Diane Orson.