“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships,”-Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan is renowned for his prowess in sports, often declared the epitome of athleticism, as he possesses phenomenal physical capabilities, exceptional technical skills, and incredible team player qualities. These qualities can similarly be found in athletes from various marching bands of all ages and sizes. Because of these qualities, it should be clear that marching band is undoubtedly a sport, and is arguably among the most unique sports worldwide. Sports are a big part of many people’s lives, especially in childhood and teenhood, and for good reason. The Bible states, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are …show more content…
Sports are an incredibly effective way to maintain one’s body, treating it as a temple of the Holy Spirit as it should be, while also teaching so many essential life lessons. At the end of the day, because marching band entails extensive physical exertion, the perfection of many technical skills, and great teamwork, marching band should be considered a sport. To start, the amount of physical exertion of individuals involved in a marching band can be kindred to the amount of exertion as a professional athlete in traditional sports. Many people argue that marching band performances are simply too short to be considered adequate exercise; however, most overlook the marching band outside the football fields. For example, a popular marching band called Drum Corps International did an event in which they “...teamed up with ESPN to put on a two-hour special showcasing the 2005 Summer Games World Championships...” (Wahl). Marching band events lasting hours and spanning miles of walking and playing are not uncommon. Even non-professional bands, such as high school-level bands, participate in long and physically strenuous
It is general consensus that marching band is one of the furthest things from a sport; in fact, most people believe that band is nothing more than a group of nerds that were too unathletic to play sports. Contrary to this popular belief, marching band is much more physically taxing and demanding that many people are aware of. Based on the amount of physical exertion it entails and the similarities with other sports that are present, marching band should most definitely be considered a sport.
“An athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature.” According to dictionary.com that would be the definition of a sport. Let’s look at the definition of a sport from Cambridge Dictionary, “a game, competition, or similar activity, done for enjoyment or as a job, that takes physical effort and skill and is played or done by following particular rules.” Marching band has been around for many years and still to this day is underappreciated and there’s been a lot of controversy whether or not it should be considered a sport. If we were to follow the guidelines of these definitions, then why would it not be. Marching band is an exhausting sport and takes an immense amount of physical power and will to be done. Not only that, but it takes an almost impossible amount of skill. Finally, marching band is a majorly competitive activity. Most high schools have a competition about once a week for a season that lasts about fourteen weeks (or about three months). So why is it not considered a sport?
Starting my freshman year at County High School, I played basketball and loved every minute of it. I wouldn’t be conceited enough to say I was good, but God did bless me with the talent to play. My life revolved around the sport of basketball; some would say I slept, ate, and breathed every part of it. I spent all my time training and practicing to make myself a more dedicated athlete. This dedication not only helped me as a player, but also molded me into the person I am today. It somehow helped to prepare me for what defeat I would face with back surgery in the future.
What do you consider a sport? Go back 30 years ago. Most schools only had your typical sports, like football and basketball. Today, most schools have more options for students. More extra curricular activities today are being considered sports, like bowling and golf. If those activities can be sports, why is marching band not considered a sport? While some people think marching band is not a sport, marching band is a sport, because it has physical exercise, professional bands, competitions and after school practices.
Because some cheerleading squads don’t compete, society thinks of it merely as a physical activity. Even though cheerleaders’ main purpose is to support other athletic activities, cheer squads whom compete, follow all physical criteria to be considered a sport. Cheerleaders put forth an incredible amount of determination. They practice tirelessly to show off their skills, with little or no recognition for their efforts. Cheerleading is a sport because it requires physical fitness, skill, dedication, and stamina. Cheerleading should be considered a sport globally.
According to Joe Hatton, the author of the article, “Sports Beat - The sport of cheerleading: It’s more than just pompoms and smiles,” cheerleading is a sport because it requires strength, balance, and coordination. The major claim of the article is “cheerleading is a sport - plain and simple - and cheerleaders are true athletes” (Hatton C-04). The article offers the following arguments in support of the claim. Hatton claims because cheerleaders are athletes, cheerleading is a sport. Hatton also says cheerleading is a sport because of the competitive aspects. We believe cheerleading is not a sport, because not all cheerleaders compete. Most cheerleaders rarely, if ever, show athleticism. Cheerleading is an activity based on confidence and school spirit. Activities in schools such as debate clubs revolve around the trust, confidence and competition of the team members yet most people do not consider debate club a sport.
Against popular belief, females were not the founders behind the sport of cheerleading; instead males who were so eager to cheer while watching sporting events created this sport. In the 1890's the first pep club was organized at Princeton University, and it was there where the first organized yell was recorded. The University of Minnesota organized cheerleading and the first school "fight song." Women didn't get introduced to cheerleading until the 1920s when gymnastics was slowly introduced to the sport. Cheerleading didn't become a predominantly woman sport until the 1950's. Today there are more then three thousand high school and college cheerleaders in the United States. 97% of all cheerleaders are female; however, approximately 50% of collegiate Cheerleaders are male. Although males were the founders of cheerleading they have different social and cultural costs and benefits than females involved in this sport today. There are many different stereotypes that males need to face; and these labels stem from the current day problem of homophobia.
“Marching Band And Sports On Level Playing Field.” American College of Sports Medicine. Matrix Group International, Inc., n.d. Web. 17 Mar 2014.
When most people think of cheerleading, they think of the spirit squads that attempt to pump up the local crowd at high school basketball and football games. People are not aware of what these athletes are doing when they are not in front of these crowds. Strangers to cheerleaders who do not follow the sport extensively do not know the exact involvement of the athletes in this sport, at all ages. Cheerleading requires athleticism like all other sports as you must be in shape and at a great fitness level to be involved in most circumstances. Cheerleaders have to know what they’re doing at all times; while knowing what everyone else on the team is doing as well, which involves a high level of mental preparation. Cheerleading, high school or club teams are now considered one of the most dangerous sports, and there is even a rule book for competition cheerleading now. The book consists of the same concepts that any other team sports such as football would include. The book has rules and regulations for jumps, stunts, tumbling, and many other conditions that involve the sport; School cheerleading, on the other hand, has very few rules and very seldom do they tumble or stunt. Most schools are not allowed to stunt they’re what is referred to as, “ground bound.” People that do not know the facts about cheerleading have deemed cheerleading as not being a sport, they usually call these teams a spirit club and show disrespect towards these athletes. If people knew all of the facts and strengths of cheerleaders, they would consider cheerleading to be a sport just as much as your common sports.
The New York Times states that cheerleading is the fastest growing girls’ sport, yet more than half of Americans do not believe it is a sport. A sport is defined as “an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature” (dictionary.com). Cheerleading at a competitive level is physically demanding and requires team work to be the best. The misconception of cheerleaders being weak, nonathletic crowd entertainers makes people believe cheerleaders are not athletes and that cheerleading is just a hobby but cheerleaders that compete at a competitive level are in fact athletes because it meets the standards of what a sport is, which includes rules and regulations, and overcoming air resistance.
Every cheerleader gets upset when someone tries to dismiss cheerleading as a sport. “I know I did”, although cheerleading fits the definition of a sport as stated in the Oxford dictionary. According to the Oxford dictionary, a sport is an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or other for entertainment. Have you ever been to a cheerleading competition? Having you not noticed how physical each routine are? Does this not entertain you? If you can honestly answer yes to any of that question, I believe the truth is you understand some of the elements of cheerleading can qualify as a sport. Not to worry, I came up with some facts I feel will strengthen this argument for cheerleaders everywhere, because the elements of cheerleading posse some differences and similarities when compared to other sports.
Well then, Basketball and football aren’t sports either if cheerleading is not a sport. There is no solid definition for a sport, but cheer meets all the given criteria for a sport. Just like any other sport, cheer is a danger with stunting, flips, tumbling - all without padding or anything protective besides a blue mat. Cheer is so much more than being smiley, happy, clappy, and cheery. Cheerleading is just as much a sport as any other sport, It is the most physically challenging, and best sport out there.
Jessica Statsky, in her essay, “Children need to Play, Not Compete” attempts to refute the common belief that organized sports are good for children. She sees organized sports not as healthy pass-times for children, but as onerous tasks that children do not truly enjoy. She also notes that not only are organized sports not enjoyable for children, they may cause irreparable harm to the children, both emotionally and physically. In her thesis statement, Statsky states, “When overzealous parents and coaches impose adult standards on children's sports, the result can be activities that are neither satisfying nor beneficial to children” (627). While this statement is strong, her defense of it is weak.
From the early ages in history to the present day, sports have always been an important part of society. It teaches discipline, how to be a team player, how to interact with others and is a good source of physical activity. In specific, football utilizes all of these aspects of sports and it’s a great source of teaching self-restraint and perseverance. Some may say that football is a violent sport or it’s not beneficial in any way, but in reality it gives a person the basic tools needed not only for playing the game, but also how you interact with people in society.
Also containing leadership characteristics helps athletes with their social skills. Worsnop, Richard L. points out “there is a general agreement that the nation’s high schools have performed well as the farm system for college sports programs”. In other words team sports presents valuable life lessons and experiences within a group setting. There are endless situations that could take place between the teammates or with the opponents during the game. The fans or known as the community displays a huge part in the sports world and how they distribute their insight on it. Statistics have shown that “ High school teams command legions of devoted fans locally and nationally” (Worsnop). As shown the community is devoted to all types of sports and they see athletes representation and how they react in certain situations. For example the sports that involve physical contact like football and basketball could get out of