Idaho Cheerleaders
From LoveToKnow Cheerleading
The Idaho cheerleaders of the University of Idaho are made up of dancers, and they are considered an extra-curricular spirit squad as opposed to a sport. They represent the school and dance their way into the fans hearts. However, they have also been the center of one of the most recent cheerleading controversies in college football.
The Idaho Cheerleaders Uniform Controversy
In September of 2008, the girls arrived to their first game dressed in two piece uniforms that included a "barely there" halter top and a shorter-than-short cheerleading skirt. Purportedly, many of the fans of the Vandals were not too pleased. (And apparently some Vandals fans were very pleased!) After receiving pressure from alumni and the more conservative guests of the University of Idaho, the squad ditched their revealing uniforms and showed up at the next game wearing jerseys and shorts. The skimpy outfits were defended by saying that the girls couldn't help being "bigger" on top and that covering up might be seen as prudish.
This was actually the second time the girls had to switch uniforms. Their first uniforms had the University of Idaho logo sewn into the bum of the ladies' pants. Apparently, many people felt that the bum of a lady was not the proper place for the University of Idaho logo.
Coach Defends Uniforms
The University Idaho Cheerleaders' coach defended the uniforms on a number of fronts and also denied rumors that some of the girls didn't like the uniforms. The coach actually quit, but not without leaving some thoughts on the controversy.
The uniforms were defended as promoting physical fitness because the girls would want to do their best to look good in something so skimpy. The girls loved the uniforms (according to the coach), and they were also free to modify them if they wanted to.
New uniforms were eventually ordered. They have more modest tops and 6-inch length skirts.
Less and Less Uniform
This controversy really just highlights one trend that cheerleading has seen over the last decade: shorter and shorter uniforms. Some leagues have rules about how short the skirt can be, along with definitions of how the shell must cover the midriff when the arms are raised. While rules vary from league to league, there is some controversy over what is appropriate.
All for Short Skirts
Advocates for cheerleading, particularly all-star and competitive cheerleading say that the skimpy uniforms are necessary. They point to gymnasts who wear leotards and tight fitting clothing to perform their gymnastics. Having tight fitting clothing is a safety precaution. The more skirt you have the more dangerous it can be to catch a flyer or support her in a pyramid.
Let's Ban Short Skirts and Midriffs Too!
The other side of the debate maintains that cheerleading was once a wholesome activity. No one ever thought of cheerleaders as sex symbols per se, and there certainly wasn't too much to see with ankle length skirts. The trend is to go shorter and smaller, and that leaves many parents and others wondering where are the boundaries. What separates cheerleading or even dance squads from a girl on the beach wearing a bikini?
Idaho Cheerleaders Debacle
This debacle or "scandal" as some would see it is really just a sign of growing pains from an activity that once included simply "yelling" from the side lines. The desire to implement uniform guidelines is one argument for regulating cheerleading as a sport; then things like uniform length and bare midriffs would have rules and boundaries. No one could have skimpier uniforms; there would be an "industry standard". Regardless of what you feel is the right decision regarding the Idaho cheerleaders, they have said in numerous interviews that they are amazed that the thing that launched them into national stardom was a uniform controversy.
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