I just thought I would chime in on this one.
I have a young man on my high school squad this year who has cheered All-Star for 4 years and who I have personally coached and known for all 4 years. He began his "cheer career" with me and I've watched him grow into an amazing athlete and individual. This year, with me taking over the high school program that I have waited a long time for - long story...another time!
- he decided that he wanted to pursue his passion for this first year of high school and see what the HS side of cheering was like.
He was the only boy to tryout and needless to say - it was tough on him at first. In an area that barely understands cheerleading nonetheless guy cheerleaders, he knew he may face some ridicule as he had already gone through that during Junior High when people found out he cheered on an All-Star team. Not the typical bullying either -- some of the things he faced and went through would've broken lesser spirits.
One of his male coaches (one of my own employees at our All-Star gym!!) even tried to talk him out of trying out, knowing what he had been through and fearing what he may face his first year in high school while being a cheerleader. This coach wanted Cody to take a year to "get known" and to "make his place" before putting himself out there that way he would have a foothold in high school first.
Luckily -- for me, for his team, and for Cody -- he held strong to his conviction and went ahead with tryouts. Though there were comments made here or there, he ignored them, got through them, and as he took the floor with his team at the "Moving Up" Assembly last year, as he was announced as the first male cheerleader for this high school in the last 8 years (there was one a long time ago) a roar came from the crowd as he tumbled out and wowed everyone around him.
Since that time, he has become a highlight in the community and at the school. He has been featured in the newspaper, he has been given write-ups in the school newspaper, and he is inspiring other guys at the school and in the community to looking at an athletic activity they may never have realized was possible before seeing him. He has been an inspiration and the fears and worries he faced some may never understand as females in our athletic realm, though we face ridicule and stereotypes now and then, they are nothing compared to the fierce negativity and stereotyping that guys have to overcome.
But when they do, it's with a vengeance. He's up for September Athlete of the Month at his school -- and he's a Sophomore (the youngest you can be in the school). Everyone knows his name and the respect he has created for his athletic activity, his team, and himself has been astounding and probably some of my favorite moments this year.
So believe me when I give a great big "GO GUYS!!!" cheer!
