Cheerleaders rule the b-ball courts, but in the federal courts they’re not doing as hot. According to recent article in The Washington Post, Judge Stefan Underhill in Hartford, Connecticut ruled last week that cheerleading is not an official sport. Here’s the sitch: Quinnipiac University wanted to replace its women’s volleyball team with a cheer squad, and the judge called foul.

Title IX states that men and women must be allowed equal opportunities by schools. That means everything from academics to sports. So, if there’s no women’s football team, the school has to offer up an additional sport to its female students. Judge Underhill’s decision was based on the fact that cheerleading exists in support of other athletics even if separate cheer competitions do take place. Title IX has very specific conditions for sports that can be used for a school’s gender equity requirements.

The sport must have a defined season, practices, coaches, and competition as its top priority. That means supporting other sports is out. Cheerleading is an athletic activity, but this court decision means that it can’t be used as a college’s alternative to the guy’s rugby team.

So do you think this decision totes unfair or on the money? Blog it out babes!

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