The survey was conducted from May to September 2008 by the Organization of Spirit Industry Providers (OSIP), an industry trade association. Greg Webb, administrator for OSIP, says, “The results were not surprising to those of us who are in close contact with these students, but it’s always nice to see have it validated with such positive results.” Webb adds, “There seems to be a lot of negative stereotypes that persist, and this survey will hopefully go a long way in changing people’s perception on cheerleaders.”
Natalie Adams, co-author of Cheerleader! An American Icon and Assistant Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Alabama agreed, noting, “Cheerleading has continued to reinvent itself since its inception as a male only activity in the late 1800’s to one of the only athletic activities open to girls in the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s , to the competitive squads of the today. However, the core values of cheerleading—leadership, service and communication—have remained constant throughout its 150 year history.”
The survey, which looked specifically at academic achievement, extra-curricular participation, leadership and community service, revealed these results:
Academics: Approximately 90 percent of the cheerleaders surveyed maintained a “B” average or above, with nearly half maintaining “A” averages.
Extra-curricular participation: 43 percent of the cheerleaders played at least one other school sport, and more than half participated in non-sport school based activities.
Leadership: In addition to the obvious leadership activities associated with cheerleading, the study found that approximately 25 percent held other leadership roles at the school, including captains of school sports teams, class officers, and student government leadership.
Service: More than 50 percent of the cheerleading teams participated in community and charitable activities, including organizing participants for Race for the Cure, tutoring elementary school students, participating in anti-drinking/drug program and representing the school at town or city celebrations.
Two examples of these stellar students include Amber-Lynn of Harlingen High School in Texas, who balances cheerleading with Track, AP classes and serving as Class President. Another cheerleader, Lauren, from Woodbury High School in Connecticut, plays in the School Band, and captains the Cheerleading, Track and Field Hockey teams while maintaining National Honor Society status.
OSIP, an organization of 110 cheer industry providers, surveyed camp participants over the course of the summer. Interviews with OSIP board members are available. Full survey results are available upon request.