At major college or high school sports events, cheerleaders, both male and female, jump and dance in front of the crowd, and shout the name of their team, running around and yelling "Go, team, Go". The first cheerleader ever was a man. In 1898, John Campbell jumped in front of the crowd at the University of Minnesota and shouted for his team. He shouted "Hoorah, Minnesota". This was the first organized shout, or yell. For the next 32 years cheerleaders were men only. Cheerleading is not just about cheering. They practice special shouts, dances, and athletic shows. The men throw the women high in the air and catch them. The team members climb on each other's shoulders to make a human pyramid. They yell and dance, too. It is like human fireworks. Of course, they may often suffer serious knee and wrist injuries, and bloody noses. Cheerleaders have their own contests every year at local, state and national levels. And the crowd shouts for them. It is not fair to think cheerleading is just being cheerful and lively and having a loud voice. Cheerleading is a sport in itself.
