History & Background
In the late 1800s, cheerleading was formed as an all man spirit squad in Britain. Harvard University was the first in the United States to perform the first official cheer in 1884. It inspired other male students to become cheerleaders, and the world’s first official cheerleader, Johnny Campbell, assembled a group that created the university’s spirit team at a time where morale was low. It became important for men to join and, as shocking as it is, it was a prestigious sport. More men were looking for ways to join the squad: “The reputation of having been a valiant “cheer-leader” is one of the most valuable things a boy can take away from college” (Atlantic/The Nation(1911)). Women were not allowed to cheerlead until 1923. When World War II started, men were being drafted to fight for their country, and women began to dominate the sport. Men chose to skip cheerleading and join the military, leaving women to fill those positions among other male-dominated sports. For example, in the movie, A League of Their Own, women rallied together creating an all-women baseball league. This allowed fans to still enjoy their favorite pastime, and some gave popular baseball players a run for their money. So, when it came to cheering on the sidelines, women filled spots, and from then on, you began to see a heavy female presence.
This change had few negative effects on how cheerleading was viewed, as it now operated outside of the school context. It emphasizes school spirit, while also playing with this aspect of sex appeal. An important aspect of cheerleading is the glitz and the glamour, and that adds to the “feminine” condition of the sport. Cheering on the sidelines is one thing, “but also in the performance and appearance demands placed on women: skirts, hair ribbons, and makeup and the expectation to smile constantly and express enthusiasm” (Britannica). Competitive cheer is even more feminized than the squads on the sidelines, there is a need for more emphasis on showmanship and performance. Their attire is more dramatized in terms of makeup, hair, outfits, and their rehearsed dances are more energetic and sexier. Even though Trinity University is not on the same level of competitive teams or division one squads,