Quinnipiac University Cheerleading Trial

Cheerleading has started to receive support from people interested each year, it's becoming more noticeable and appreciated over time. Unfortunately, this growing sport has still not received that approval of some other athletes as well. Somewhat recently in my home state of Connecticut there was a trial involving this very issue at Quinnipiac University. For a briefing on the case for those unaware, it has to do with the university’s volleyball members suing the school for having put money into the cheerleading department. I have done some research on this case and the main issue of argument that this case is based off of is the “Title IX” document, which defines standards for men and women’s athletic sport teams. “ ‘Because QU receives federal financial assistance, its athletic program is subject to Title IX and QU must comply with its requirements,’ the volleyball players said in their suit.” (Goldman). In this case there is strong disagreement with the cheerleading squad and against Quinnipiac University. The volleyball team argues that they discriminate against women’s athletics. If so, then why would they be so supportive of the cheerleading team? The cheerleading team at the university argues that this issue should not be directed at them just because the university helped their department. The cheerleading squad at Quinnipiac University gives back to the university by saving the school money because of the members on their roster, and also provides money by hosting competitions at the university. I believe that the cheerleading squad should not have been attacked, they are part of the athletic department and the team had not done anything specifically wrong. Within this case there are many other issues that are discussed, but to try the cheerleading team in court and accuse them of not following the code of conduct in the “Title IX” document is disrespectful. Other issues, such as, the time the document was written up and the evolution in cheerleading since then should also be re addressed. The cheerleaders at Quinnipiac University seem to provide supporting evidence denying the volleyball teams assumptions. Unfortunately the final ruling in this decision went against the cheerleaders, and ruled them not a sport under the Title IX document. Judge Underhill stated the following “may… qualify as a sport under Title IX; today, however, the activity is still too underdeveloped and disorganized to be treated as offering genuine varsity athletic participation opportunities for students”. Although the decision was not what the cheerleading team was hoping for, Judge Underhill did touch on the topic of the possibility of the future. Where cheerleaders may finally be considered athletes. So for cheerleaders across the world, they will have to do what they do best and keep their heads up.