Florida Adds Cheerleading State Championship

By Emily Cerling

For years, cheerleaders have been on the sidelines, decked out in their school colors, chanting and performing stunts to rev up the crowd - that's sideline cheerleading. But this year, Florida high schools can call their cheerleaders something new - student-athletes.

In June 2007, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) determined that cheerleading would be considered a state championship sport. The Competitive Cheerleading Advisory Panel, composed of 13 athletic directors and cheer coaches throughout Florida, met three times in the past year to organize the sport. At the start of the 2007-08 school year, the cheerleading season kicked off on August 6, and will end with a final state cheerleading championship in March.

The 2008 FHSAA state competition will take place March 7-8 in Boca Raton at a facility that can accommodate 3,800 individuals. Cheerleaders compete in seven categories, including both all-girl and co-ed teams, as well as a non-tumbling division. Categories are based on squad size and make-up. The all-girl squads can enter as small, medium, large or extra-large teams. Co-ed teams can register as either small or large, depending on how many boys participate.

Semifinal and final rounds will take place in each division. To help squads curb traveling expenses and time, the semifinal round will be held in the morning and the finals will occur the same evening of the designated division. As a result, competition will not be held over several days, lowering hotel costs and other expenditures.

Many FHSAA member schools wanted cheerleaders to be considered student-athletes, which helps schools reach their Title IX goals to engage more females in athletics.

 "Sideline cheerleading is supporting another organized team within the high school itself," said FHSAA Director of Athletics Jamie Rohrer. "Competitive cheer doesn't have anything to do with that activity. They strictly are participating in head-to-head competition based on skills and ability."

NFHS spirit rules and judging guidelines will be used to administer the championship. In addition, the FHSAA will work closely with the Universal Cheerleading Association to acquire judges and organize the event.

Although preparations for the first competition are off to a great start, safety issues are at the forefront of the FHSAA's concerns.

"As far as competitive cheerleading is concerned, there is a lot more stunting and a lot more tumbling," Rohrer said. "All head varsity coaches must be safety-certified by the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA). It's also a state statute that all high schools offering cheerleading must adopt the NFHS spirit rules and guidelines."

Rohrer expects a strong turnout of squads, parents, coaches and fans at the first Florida cheerleading championship. In addition, she anticipates it will attract many media.

"We usually have pretty good media turnout at our events," Rohrer said. "I expect lots of media entities at the championship because it is new."

Already, coaches and squads are preparing for the inaugural state championship. As of the November 16 early-entry deadline, 200 schools had already registered to compete. The remaining Florida schools have until February to join the competition.

"There's been lots of positive feedback," Rohrer said.

Emily Cerling was a fall semester intern in the NFHS Publications/Communications Department. She is a senior at Butler (Indiana) University, majoring in integrated communications.