| University of Nebraska Grounds Cheerleaders | |
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The long hours of practice merged with athletic ability and grace provide an entertaining display during the sixty second time-out. Cheerleaders work and take pride in their individual and team talents that culminate in a successful routine. Simply, stunting is an integral part of Cheerleading. It is a skill that is performed, not exclusively on the college level. Camps, better instruction and coaching have allowed squads at the junior high and high school level to engage in this part of Cheerleading.
Recently the University of Nebraska has recommended that stunting be eliminated from the routines of their Cheerleading squads. The ramifications of this move are many. For one, it severely restricts the whole concept of what the squad can be allowed to perform. Secondly, this action can force their administrations to take notice and follow suit. The thinking being if a large nationally known school as Nebraska implements this, why not us?
Speaking with a number of cheerleaders and Cheerleading coaches brought some interesting responses. To a person, they questioned the university’s decision.
Doreen Franquinha is in a unique position. Two years ago as Fordham’s Cheerleading. co-captain she was on the floor performing those stunts. Presently she teaches and directs them as Fordham’s Cheerleading coach. “It has said by many experts that more injuries occur from Cheerleading. than football, Franquinha said. “It (stunting) is dangerous but that is the only thing that gets the crowd going.” Franiquaha noted the elimination of stunting will negate the need for men and force the squad to become more dance team oriented. She also noted that “stunting is what put Cheerleading on the map as a sport. If they eliminate stunting, not only will there be no challenge for the team as athletes but the crowd will be seriously let down.”
Franquinha noted “As a coach I get a knot in my stomach and hold my breath every time a stunt goes up, but the satisfaction of achieving these elite pyramids is what holds the team together.” As Syracuse freshman Ashley Streeter noted, “It’s just not Cheerleading without stunting. Every sport has its difficult parts, that’s what makes it challenging.”
Streeter’s school, Syracuse, competes in the Big East Conference. The conference has a restriction that forbids basket tosses and pyramids higher than two people. Still, observers would be hard pressed to notice and many do not even realize the restriction is in place. The conference includes a number of squads as Syracuse, Rutgers and Connecticut, just to name a few, that employ stunts and are able to perform them utilizing, and not necessarily obstruct, the athleticism and skills of their squads.
One of Streeter’s fellow squad members, Andrea Donohue, feels Nebraska should follow the Big East’s lead. “It’s a bad decision on their (Nebraska’s) part to eliminate stunting,” the Syracuse sophomore said. “Safety is important and you want to protect people but you can do it by limiting the stunts.” As her conference, the Big East, did.
The whole idea of totally doing away with the stunts brought immediate response. Cheerleaders and coaches have strong feelings and definitive opinions on the issue. A few samples:
“That decision
may force Nebraska’s squad to become a club team. As a club team you are not
directly under the jurisdiction of the athletic department so you can compete.
The whole decision is wrong, especially considering the talent that is in that
Nebraska program.”
Jen Hine, Rutgers University Senior
“Stunting is a
big part of Cheerleading. Without stunting there is not much to Cheerleading.”
Jen Carroll, Rutgers University Freshman
“Not having stunting
definitely takes away from Cheerleading. If you practice it carefully and learn,
it becomes second nature. (Stunting) Can be dangerous but is actually a lot
of fun.”
Kelly Fryer, Temple University Sophomore
“Not having stunting
takes away a lot of what Cheerleading is all about. Without stunting you can’t
show your capabilities. It gives everyone a chance to shine.”
Andrea Angelis, Rutgers University Senior
“It’s a very drastic
decision. It manipulates the sport. It is like telling your quarterback only
to run pass plays in football, it limits the sport. A certified instructor should
teach the stunts. There is a lot more offerings for certification for stunt
instructors.”
Ryan Maak, Temple University Coach
“It’s tough. I
look at it from the perspective of a coach and I work for a Cheerleading company.
I don’t know why Nebraska came out with that ruling. You don’t know what precipitated
it or what happened there.”
Joe Cooper, Rutgers University Assistant Coach
General consensus strongly favors stunting to be kept in place as part of a total program. Certainly it has its risks. Some that unfortunately have ended in serious injury and/or tragedy. But that is part of any sport. Put on the uniform, cross to line to play the game and you accept the risks as part of it. As Rutgers Cheerleading/dance coach Emily O’Connell noted, “having administrators ruling against stunts in cheering would be like them ruling that the basketball team could not attempt three point shots.”
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About Ray Floriani: Ray Floriani has been writing college basketball for over twenty years. He is a columnist with Eastern Basketball magazine, Basketball Times and College Hoops Insider. In 1998 he was cited by the Gazelle Group for his work in covering the Coaches vs. Cancer events and was chosen 1999 NIT Media Man of the Year. Contact Ray Floriani. Next page > Take Our Poll > Page 1, 2, 3
