TRENTON — A state Senate committee today signed off on a bill that would make cheerleading an official interscholastic sport in New Jersey and require additional safety measures for cheerleaders.
The bill (S2275) cleared the Senate Education Committee despite warnings from the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association that it carries unintended consequences for cheerleading programs.
“The truth is many (cheerleaders) are in much better physical shape than the ones that they are cheering for on the sidelines,” said Sen. Diane Allen (R-Burlington). “They also in many cases are doing things that take an amazing amount of practice and agility. This is a sport.”
The bill would require the NJSIAA to develop guidelines for student participation in cheerleading, conduct tournaments between schools and establish cheerleading coach and program safety requirements.
All cheerleading coaches would need cheerleading and safety training and private health clubs with six or more members who are cheerleaders would be required to have at least one safety harness, according to the bill.
The proposal now goes to the full Senate and needs approval from the Senate, Assembly and Gov. Chris Christie before becoming law.
Paul Anzano, legal counsel for the NJSIAA, said the association is not opposed to making cheerleading a sport. However, the NJSIAA already has a process in place for adding sports and has not been asked by its members to consider cheerleading.
“At this point, there is no member school saying there is a need here,” Anzano said. “We would listen if the membership said we should consider regulating cheerleading.”
Anzano warned that the cheerleading bill could have unintended consequences that “change the face of the program.”
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Preseason practice schedules would be regulated and cheerleaders would be subject to transfer and eligibility rules along with random drug testing during championship seasons, he said. Competition cheerleading squads would no longer be allowed to receive private funding.
The bill is also problematic because it doesn’t draw a distinction between competitive cheerleading teams and the traditional squads on the sideline at other sporting events, Anzano said.
Lawmakers said the NJSIAA needs to be proactive about solving any problems it has with the legislation.
Cheerleading requires a high level of skill and cheerleaders are among the athletes most at risk for concussions, said Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), the committee chair. The intent of the bill, introduced by Sen. Brian Stack (D-Hudson), is to recognize those students as their own athletic division, Ruiz said.
The proposal is supported by the New Jersey School Boards Association, the New Jersey Association of School Administrators and the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association.
“We do believe that cheerleading is and has become much more of a sport than ever before,” said Jennifer Keyes-Maloney, NJPSA’s assistant director of government relations. “The things they are doing are pretty amazing.”
Sen. Michael Doherty (R-Warren) voted against the bill, saying cheerleaders are already held in high esteem and valued within their schools.
“I don’t think we should be turning this into some kind of deficiency in the system,” Doherty said.
Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
