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Jul 29

Is Cheerleading a Sport Worth Fighting For?

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Has Title IX got it backward? Last week, a district judge ruled that Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn., could not cut its volleyball program in favor of competitive cheerleading. U.S. District Judge Stefan Underhill said cheerleading is, “too underdeveloped and disorganized” and that “competitive cheer may, some time in the future, qualify as a sport under Title IX,” but as it stands now, cheerleading doesn’t qualify.” A similar case is being heard at Delaware State University where a gender equality lawsuit has been filed to try and stop the school from cutting the equestrian team in favor of competitive cheerleading. So is cheerleading a sport protected under Title IX or glorified glee club that’s only found a competitive field among uber competitive parents and coaches who’ve made what used to be ra-ra-sis-boom-bah into weeks long summer camps and boot camp like, cut throat competition? Or does it depend on the school? In 2009, Florida International University cut its cheerleading and band program but kept its dance program.

Katy Kelleher at Jezebel says the issue isn’t about who is and isn’t an athlete, it’s about equality, “While I would certainly argue that cheerleaders are athletes, given the current state of college cheerleading, they may be athletes without a real sport. And while that is a shame, it would also be a shame to get rid of the volleyball team – or any other women’s team – to form a competitive cheer squad. Though Judge Underhill’s decision may be controversial, it’s not meant to be personal. From the sounds of it, he was acting in favor of women’s equality – and that is hardly a bad thing.” But is cheerleading worth bumping off the volleyball team? Or the equestrian team? I’m all about Title IX equality but it’s just a little hard for me to cheer on cheerleaders and watch athletes–boxers, volleyball players, etc.–get cut so we can watch girls do high kicks in mini skirts. Forgive me, but I don’t think Title IX was meant to cover the next great cheer captain. And all the cheerleading scandals certainly don’t make me take cheerleading seriously. At least not enough to tell a future Olympic athlete she’s being cut in favor of another girl’s chance to make it on the Dallas Cowboys cheerleading squad.

Apr 07

Got Derby in You?

Needs more women 1 Comment »

Assassination City Roller Derby is hosting a recruiting party starting at 9 p.m. at the Barley House, 5612 Yale Boulevard this Saturday. And they’re looking for women interested in joining one of their teams: Assassination City, Bombshell Brigade, Lone Star Assassins, Deadly Kennedys, and the newly resurrected La Revolucion. “You have to be 18 to join, pay monthly dues of $30, own all your own equipment (helmet, quad skates, wrist guards, mouth guard, elbow pads, and knee pads), and pay an annual sports insurance fee of $50. You have to be “Fresh Meat” for 90 days to learn how to play derby (we teach you all the required skills!) and then take an assessment test before being placed on a team. All practices and monthly bouts are at Dad’s Broadway Skateland in Mesquite. We are recruiting skaters and referees year-round. We’ve got 4 home teams and two travel teams,” writes Kim Saenz Cowdrey, head marketing volunteer for Assassination City better known as Kimical Imbalance No. 5150. At the party, you’ll meet members of the All-Star Travel team, crazy, warrior bad asses, their web site says. Don’t know if you’re a derby girl? Catch Assassination City’s next match against Memphis Roller Derby at 7 p.m. on April 17 at Dad’s Broadway Skateland, 3022 Moon Dr. in Mesquite. Tickets are $12. Or watch the Dallas Derby Devils all female flat track team’s season opener. Doors open at 7 p.m. at the Nytex Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, 8851 Ice House Drive. Tickets are $15 at the door. Since the early 1990s, roller derby has been growing in popularity. Most teams skate on flat tracks though some use banked tracks or tracks with high sides as well. Teams are almost completely female and most skaters roll under aliases like Gloria Vanderbitch. Costumes, tattoos and burlesque-inspired attire aren’t uncommon either. Neither are injuries. There are jammers, blockers, pivots. It’s a full contact, knock you on your ass, but I’ll buy you a beer afters kind of hellacious sport that makes little girls scream for more. Find out your Roller Deby name here. And stop by the Barley House Saturday!