GO TIGERS!! Can you believe that little phrase is the origin of cheerleading? Well believe it! Cheerleading was actually stumbled upon because of a very enthusiastic football fan Thomas Peebles, cheering on his team at the University of Minnesota. At University of Minnesota was where the history of cheerleading in the United States began. Because Peebles was not afraid to be loud and root for his team others decided to join him, it made a great impact on the team. Soon people recognized them as "yelling leaders". Johnny Campbell is actually who gets the credit for the innovation of cheerleading. It was documented in the school newspaper that it was Campbell who led the first organized yelling on November 12, 1898.
Males dominated the cheerleading squads up until the war began in the 1940's, when men were shipped off to war. It was then that women began out numbering males. In the 1900's the megaphone began coming in to use. Women brought tumbling and gymnastics in to the sport in the 1920's. Soon pom-poms were being used in routines around the 10930's and in the 1950's cheerleaders began workshops to improve and teach others the essentials of cheerleading. Cheerleaders basically performed for football. It was not until the 1950's that cheerleaders began performing for the basketball team and supporting all other school functions. Cheerleading did not get recognition as a sport until the 1970's and in the 1980's ESPN began broadcasting competitions.
Cheerleading takes a lot of hard work, practice, and skill. Although many people think of cheerleaders as snotty girls who date football players that is just a stereo type. In order to become a cheerleader you have to be able to meet the standards of cheerleading; you have to have stamina, rhythm, and enthusiasm.
