Lack of funds, GPA requirements hinder cheerleaders
Emily Denton
Issue date: 3/29/07 Section: News
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"Our athletic teams get very little support from the student body and it would be unfortunate if they didn't even get the cheerleaders' support," Jackson said.
"The minimal fee for cheerleaders is worth it because the athletes need some sort of support, and cheerleading is the most available support network they have," Jackson continued.
Katie Barger, a senior from Germantown, Tenn., also supports the student development funding.
"If we provide funding for other sport organizations, it is only fair to provide cheerleaders with some support as well," Barger said.
However, not all students agree that student development funding should be used for cheerleading.
Melanie Butler, a Chattanooga freshman, said, "I don't think they should get university funding, not because they aren't athletes, but because we shouldn't even have a football team to cheer [for] in the first place."
"Football is Knoxville's bag and we should just let them have it and put all of our sport and cheerleading money into some of our stronger and yet under-funded programs," Butler said.
"The minimal fee for cheerleaders is worth it because the athletes need some sort of support, and cheerleading is the most available support network they have," Jackson continued.
Katie Barger, a senior from Germantown, Tenn., also supports the student development funding.
"If we provide funding for other sport organizations, it is only fair to provide cheerleaders with some support as well," Barger said.
However, not all students agree that student development funding should be used for cheerleading.
Melanie Butler, a Chattanooga freshman, said, "I don't think they should get university funding, not because they aren't athletes, but because we shouldn't even have a football team to cheer [for] in the first place."
"Football is Knoxville's bag and we should just let them have it and put all of our sport and cheerleading money into some of our stronger and yet under-funded programs," Butler said.
