It has happened yet once again. Yes, the Collegian has managed to put down the Penn State cheerleaders once again. The latest occurrence was in Monday's Collegian in the article written by Steve Feitl and James Reeser detailing the 'Thon auction. At the end of the fifth paragraph, the reporters stated that cheerleaders are not athletes. ("... and other athletes and cheerleaders.") Well, as Penn State cheerleaders, we must disagree with the statement.

Although we might not be recognized as a varsity sport by Penn State, we consider ourselves athletes. We constantly support the other athletic teams at Penn State as is evident with our cheering schedule (women's volleyball, men's and women's basketball, women's gymnastics, and football). Not only do we actively cheer on the teams in these sports but we also do a wide variety of public appearances, pep rallies, and alumni events. Anybody can go out and throw around a football, toss a baseball, play a pick-up game of basketball, or swim some laps, but I do not know of many guys that can go out and balance a girl on one hand above his head. Furthermore, I do not know many females that are overly eager to leave solid ground and instill all of her trust in her base(s).

Another thing that the Collegian has failed to do is adequately cover the "season" of the cheerleader. Tryouts are generally held in March or April, and once an individual makes the squad, they start preparing for the annual Blue-White game. From there, they are strongly encouraged to train on their own over the summer. We come back in early August to prepare for the upcoming season, and then go off to cheerleading camp where the past two years we have taken home four first-place, two second-place, and two most-collegiate trophies. During football season, we have a wide variety of tailgates and functions to do before every game. We also cheer for volleyball during this time. Just about the time that football and volleyball season is ending, basketball season gets into full swing. We cheer for both teams, and then pick up with the Lady Lion Gymnastics team. This takes us to the middle of March when it is time for tryouts again, and a repeat of the cycle. Throw into the mix training to try to qualify for a national competition, and up to 20 hours of practice a week for that, and any individual (even a Collegian writer), will recognize that this is a very time-consuming commitment.

We truly wish that the Collegian would stop putting down cheerleaders. We encourage anyone in doubt of the athletic ability of cheerleaders to attend tryouts and see exactly what it takes to be a cheerleader. One will see that it takes confidence, trust, strength, agility and a great deal of time to be able to wear the Penn State Cheerleading uniform.