The pom poms, team spirit and impressive acrobatic high jumps apparently don’t cut it in the world of competitive sports.
According to The Associated Press, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in Connecticut has found that competitive cheerleading “does not yet meet the standards of a varsity sport under Title IX, the federal law that mandates equal opportunities for men and women in education and athletics.”
In short, the AP reported that the ruling, which was issued Tuesday, came down following an appeal from Quinnipiac University in Hamden two years ago. Quinnipiac was sued by its volleyball coach after the university tried to get rid of the women’s volleyball program in exchange for a competitive cheerleading program.
The volleyball coach won, and the program stayed at the university, but Quinnpiac appealed the case in federal court.
The appeals court wrote that, while cheerleading can be physically challenging, the sport still isn’t organized enough with defined rules within the collegiate system that would warrant it as a varsity sport. That could come with time, but it’s not here yet, the AP reported.
Do you agree with the appeals court decision that competitive cheerleading doesn't count as a varsity sport under the Title IX law? Take our poll and share your thoughts in the comments.
