Cheerleading is more than a sport, its a lifestyle.

What does it take to be an athlete? Does it depend on the sport that you chose to do? Does being a basketball player or a football player make you an athlete? It seems that any physical activity that involves an object such as a basketball, or a football, is automatically considered a sport. Something way over-looked in the world of sports that is physical activity to the core, is in fact cheerleading. To most people, the first thought that comes to mind when they hear the word "cheerleading" is a bunch of girls that jump up and down, screaming and kicking, cheering on their team, and leading the crowd in chants. This is very true. However, there is a competitive side of cheerleading that a lot of people are not aware of. There is a difference between cheering at a football game, and competing. Competitive cheerleading involves Middle school, High School, College, and the most popular, All-Star teams. Most cheerleaders begin cheering at a very young age, and if they are dedicated and have a passion for it, will continue to be involved with cheerleading for a very long time. Competitive Cheerleading is when a team practices all year round, to put together a 2:30 routine, travel locally and nationally, and compete with teams from all around. These routines consist of tumbling, which is gymnastics' minus the bars, and beams. As well as tumbling, there is a section that includes stunting, jumps, dance, cheer, and transitions to give a visual affect. It's hard to put together the amount of time that is put into creating these routines, when they can only be 2:30 long. Teams usually come together around May, and hold try-outs. After try-outs, the members who make the squad begin practicing throughout the summer, until it is competition season, which starts usually in October, and goes all the way to April. Competitive Cheerleading has turned into a lifestyle and almost like a job for many of the athletes, as well as the coaching staff. Hard to believe, that cheerleading is still not considered a sport to many people. There is so much time, and hard work put into it, that it becomes an insult to not only me, but to other cheerleaders.

Slippery Rock University Cheerleaders are one of the best college cheer teams in the nation. I’m sure, that a lot of people that go to Slippery Rock, who don’t know much of anything about cheerleading would have never known. If you attended football, or basketball games, the cheerleaders are there, and of course, they are cheering. But with the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators AACCA there a rules and regulations that every cheerleading team must follow for indoor/outdoor cheering at games. So SRU cheerleaders have certain restrictions. At games, they can only perform basic stunting. If you watch them perform at a game, and see them perform their routine for nationals, there is a big difference.

This video is from a football game at SRU, were the cheerleaders show off their stunting skills by doing basket tosses in a ripple, and ending with a simple cheer.



Slippery Rock has two competing teams, one is all-girl, and the other is co-ed. SRU is nationally known for being one of the best college cheer teams, winning many nationals and being known as a cheer power house. In 2010, SRU's All-girl squad won 1st place in their division and co-ed took second place. Both teams practice all year round for the College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship. Nationals take place in Florida in January.UCA

Here is video of SRU All-girl doing one of their most popular cheers. They also do this cheer at nationals for the opening of their routine.



This video show's their winning performance at nationals. As you can see, they start off with the cheer that is shown in the above video, and they are scored on their ability to lead the crowd.

One of the current captains for the squad, Melissa Nicola, has been a member of Rock-All Girl for 3 years. Melissa is from West Mifflin PA, which is about 15 minutes away from Pittsburgh PA. She began cheerleading around the age of 10, and cheered for West Mifflin teams all the way until here senior year of high shool, were she was also, captain there. Along with West Mifflin and Slippery Rock, Melissa and I also cheered together on an All-Star team called Hotcheer and she recently was a member of Pittsburgh Superstars . With her strong background and love for cheerleading, Melissa feels that cheerleading not being considered a sport is a joke. With graduation coming up in December, her days for cheering at Slippery are becoming Slim. Melissa plans on still being involved with cheerleading, and wants to become a coach.

This video show's Melissa doing her standing tuck. One of the requirements that you need to make Rock All-Girl is a standing tuck, and Melissa is a pro at it.


Being a captain is like a job. Not only do you have to keep the team together, but you have to be a role model and a hard worker at practice. With Melissa's dedication to cheering at SRU, she deserves the title as captain. Here is a video of Rachelle Turner and Cindy Lynn, members of Rock-Girl, talking about Melissa and her role as captain and how they feel about her.