Cheerleading has different types of difficulties based on who one asks Newbies could say it’s complicated or messes with your memory a little whereas veterans could say it gets easier as the years go on, though it’s never easy. Lastly a person who’s never done cheer could say it’s not as hard as some may think or that it’s not actually a sport.
People wonder if cheer adds spice to football games, “Yes, I feel like it helps create a fun environment,” said Hannah Austin, a sophomore cheer captain on the team. Austin then continues on to explain how the cheerleaders have an absolutely amazing time out on the field: “We don’t mean some of the rude things we say because we are all such genuine people to each other and it is like one big family.”
When asked if they take pride in what they do, almost all say yes. Naomi Bohm, a freshman on the Amherst Falcons squad, said, “It’s fun when they participate in some of the cheers,” explained Bohm, noting later imn interview that it makes her happy when she sees the crowd interacting with the cheer team.
Cheerleading started as a male sport, believe it or not. Women saw how fun and amazing it looked so they soon joined in. At first it didn’t have all these fun and interesting tumbles or stunts as it was more like a student section at a school football game screaming “go team” or “whoooo.”
Most people think it’s an all women sport but it’s an any kind of person sport. The loveable and hilarious Freddie the Falcon is played by a student who wishes to be unknown (although you all probably know who he is). Freddie explains how he loves the community of cheer and how he’s made new friends from taking on the role of the mascot. He loves how he can be in this loving circle of people and be who he wants to be. Freddie the person feels he’s different from the bird. When he isn’t Freddie, he’s more introverted, but when he puts on the costume he becomes giddy and extroverted.
Cheer is a big community featuring differing levels of difficulty. Participating in an encouraging community makes it easier to do stunts and and express team spirit. Amherst cheer is a wonderful community despite its many challenges.