Well, if you are picturing girls dressed up, jumping around on the sidelines and yelling chants to the crowd then you just don't get it. Cheerleading is a sport. Cheerleaders are athletes. Far more then halftime entertainment, cheerleading today has blossomed into a phenomenon involving more than 3.4 million people in the United States alone, and at least six million cheerleaders world-wide representing thirty-eight countries!
So, how is cheerleading different today then let's say, 50 years ago? Well, for starters, cheerleading was predominantly comprised of men until the late 1950's. The first official organized cheer can be traced way back to 1865, where a group of male students at Princeton University in New Jersey organized the first squad, and created the first known cheer ( Tah rah rah, Tiger Tiger Tiger, Sis sis sis, Boom boom boom, aaaahhhhh!, Princeton! Princeton ! Princeton !). So for nearly 100 years, cheerleading was dominated by male performers. In fact, two very influential figures of the times were once cheerleaders; Dwight D. Eisenhower and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
It wasn't until the baby-boomers of the post WWII era began filling the schools that female participants started to become involved. And that's when “Herkie” came in. In 1948, after starting National Cheerleader's Association (NCA), Lawrence “Herkie” Herkimer held the first-ever cheerleading camp in Huntsville, Texas for fifty-two young girls, who were there to learn more about cheerleading, and learn the basic principles involved with participation. In a time when interest in cheerleading was forming, Herkie transformed the role of cheerleader to represent leadership, motivation, achievement, and honor.
Over the next several years, Herkie also is credited with a number of other “firsts” in the industry. He founded an apparel company to meet the uniform needs of the growing number of cheerleaders. The company was called Cheerleader Supply Company, and still exists today as Cheerleader&DanzTeam. A few years later, H erkie developed the Pom Pon, which is by far the most popular cheerleading tool invented. He also invented the ever popular cheerleading jump, aptly named "the herkie," and went on to invent the widely celebrated Spirit Stick. Nicknamed the "Father of Modern Cheerleading," Herkie had changed the face of cheerleading in just a few short years, and it would never be the same!
So that's a little background of how the sport began, so where are we today? Well, cheerleaders still provide support for their respective teams during games and at halftime. But think about this: during a typical football game, players may get breaks during plays, timeouts, halftime, etc., but cheerleaders must be prepared and active for almost four hours, come rain or shine!
And cheerleading is much more then just a sideline sport today. Cheerleader's now perform at their own competitions, performing routines filled with chants, jumps, dance, tumbling, gymnastics, partner stunts, basket tosses, and pyramid building . And while a performance typically lasts only two-and-a-half minutes, this intense time can almost be deemed the “second longest two-minutes in sports,” a popular phrase used when referring to the heralded Kentucky Derby. This routine requires tremendous training, discipline, timing and practice in order to be successful, as one little slip or bobble costs the squad critical points from the judges.
Another question comes up often is, “does participation in cheerleading actually benefit a person?” Quite simply; YES. 83% of today's cheerleaders carry a “B” average or higher in school. 62% of cheerleaders are involved in a second sport outside of cheerleading. 83% are leaders in various student organizations. (American Sports Data, Inc.) Two of our last four presidents (George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan) and forty-year Senator Trent Lott were all high school cheerleaders. Other famous cheerleaders include Halle Berry , Katie Couric, Kirk Douglas, Samuel L. Jackson, Madonna, Mandy Moore and Sandra Bullock, to name a few.
Another important trend in cheerleading is the amount of college universities that are now awarding athletic scholarships for cheerleading. Today, over 60 college universities are awarding full or partial athletic scholarships to cheerleaders (male and female) on a regular basis. In fact, while 97% of all cheerleaders are female, almost 50% of collegiate cheerleaders are male. (American Sports Data, Inc.)
The popularity of cheerleading continues to swing upwards, and has nearly caught up to that of football. In Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc., 45% of our participants are involved in cheerleading and dance, while 55% participate in football programs. That number is significantly higher then just five years ago.
As we reflect upon the 2004 Pop Warner National Cheer & Dance Championships, it is really hard to comprehend that over 350 cheer & dance squads competed for the title in just four days! Squads in four age divisions (Jr. Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Jr. Midget & Midget) competed in two size groups (large & small) and in three new competition levels (novice, intermediate & advanced). A total of over 10,000 participants, coaches and fans were on hand for the four-day event to witness the incredible performances turned in by squads from all over the country.
“It has grown (the Pop Warner National Cheer & Dance Championships) from a one-day event with a few squads to a four-day long event with over 350 squads in just a few years,” said Lisa Moroski, National Cheer & Dance Commissioner for Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. “As the popularity of our sport grows, we continually make adjustments to make it the best possible event for our kids.”
Cheerleaders and dancers today participate for the excitement of competition, and the friendships that are made along the way. “It is a lot of hard work, there is pressure, but you enjoy it, it is where you make new friends and family,” a Medford Colts cheerleader told us. “We support each other a lot and have created a family with one another that endures through the good and bad times."
So if you have seen the movie “Bring it On,” and you know you have, then you have seen a glimpse of what cheerleading is all about today…with a little bit of Hollywood drama thrown in there. The only way to truly understand the cultural phenomena known as 21 st century cheerleading is to witness it firsthand, and I encourage you to do so the next chance you get. You won't be disappointed…these cheerleaders really can “bring it!”
News & Articles 
Over the next several years, Herkie also is credited with a number of other “firsts” in the industry. He founded an apparel company to meet the uniform needs of the growing number of cheerleaders. The company was called Cheerleader Supply Company, and still exists today as Cheerleader&DanzTeam. A few years later, H erkie developed the Pom Pon, which is by far the most popular cheerleading tool invented. He also invented the ever popular cheerleading jump, aptly named "the herkie," and went on to invent the widely celebrated Spirit Stick. Nicknamed the "Father of Modern Cheerleading," Herkie had changed the face of cheerleading in just a few short years, and it would never be the same! 
Another question comes up often is, “does participation in cheerleading actually benefit a person?” Quite simply; YES. 83% of today's cheerleaders carry a “B” average or higher in school. 62% of cheerleaders are involved in a second sport outside of cheerleading. 83% are leaders in various student organizations. (American Sports Data, Inc.) Two of our last four presidents (George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan) and forty-year Senator Trent Lott were all high school cheerleaders. Other famous cheerleaders include Halle Berry , Katie Couric, Kirk Douglas, Samuel L. Jackson, Madonna, Mandy Moore and Sandra Bullock, to name a few. 
As we reflect upon the 2004 Pop Warner National Cheer & Dance Championships, it is really hard to comprehend that over 350 cheer & dance squads competed for the title in just four days! Squads in four age divisions (Jr. Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Jr. Midget & Midget) competed in two size groups (large & small) and in three new competition levels (novice, intermediate & advanced). A total of over 10,000 participants, coaches and fans were on hand for the four-day event to witness the incredible performances turned in by squads from all over the country.
Cheerleaders and dancers today participate for the excitement of competition, and the friendships that are made along the way. “It is a lot of hard work, there is pressure, but you enjoy it, it is where you make new friends and family,” a Medford Colts cheerleader told us. “We support each other a lot and have created a family with one another that endures through the good and bad times."