Cheerleaders fight for their right to incorporate stunts |
| Posted by Administrator on Feb 18 2009 at 3:19 PM |
Photo by Jenny Gierhan
UNK cheerleaders practice a crowd cheer in stunt formation. The cheerleaders have been practicing stunt sequence but were not given permission to perform all of the stunts at events. As for now, one stunt routine has been approved.
By Jenny Gierhan
Antelope Staff
UNK Cheerleaders will not be able to show off all of their stunt choreography despite practicing hard at perfecting stunt sequences in preparation for the Feb. 21 performance at the men's basketball game against RMAC opponent Regis.
Loper cheerleaders have practiced different tumbling moves as well as a stunt sequences but have been denied the right to perform all stunts at this time.
"I put together rules, guidelines and information about stunting and what it is for different members of the university," said UNK Cheer Coach Kylie Lacquor. Authorities throughout university administration had to look at this information before anything was approved or disapproved.
Student Activities Officer and Spirit Squad Sponsor Jami Schaffnitt, Risk Manager John Lakey, Director of Athletics Jon McBride, Asst. Athletic Director/External Affairs Shawn Fairbanks and Director of the Student Union Sharon Pelc all considered the risks and guidelines.
"In order to go about practicing stunting more safely, I got certified by the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches Administrators (AACCA) on Feb. 1 in Denver," Lacquor said.
McBride, Lakey and Schaffnitt all attended a practice to view the stunts the squad members choreographed for their performance. The cheerleaders are now approved for the specific sequence shown in the routine, but not for any other types of stunting.
"We are excited to be able to do the stunts in our routine, but it's frustrating because we are one of three total cheer squads in the RMAC that is not allowed to fully stunt," said freshman Kwynn Gracey, a family studies major from Ainsworth.
Although grateful for the opportunity to perform specific stunts, the women on the squad are hungry for more.
"We should be able to stunt at any time during a game. Timeouts are when the crowd needs pumped up the most, and stunting would really improve Loper spirit and crowd involvement," said Megan Baker, a sophomore elementary education major from Gibbon.
"Stunting is a big part of our sport, and these women should be able to get the full opportunity that others have. It would be like playing basketball without a hoop, it doesn't make sense not to stunt," Lacquor said. "This will show everyone that these women truly are athletes."
You can catch the UNK Cheerleaders premier their stunting on Feb. 21 at the men's game against Regis.
