Cheer!: Inside the Secret World of College CheerleadersCHEER! is the Inspiration for the CW's Hot New Series, HELLCATS, Starring Alyson Michalka and Ashley Tisdale. Think cheerleading is just pom-poms, "gimme an 'R,'" and pleated skirts? Not anymore. Take an exhilarating trip through the rough-and-tumble world of competitive college cheerleading.... College cheerleaders are extreme athletes who fly thirty feet in the air, build pyramids in which a single slip can send ten people crashing to the ground, and compete in National Championships that are won by hundredths of a point. Cheer! is a year-long odyssey into their universe, following three squads from tryouts to Nationals. Meet the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack cheerleaders from Nacogdoches, Texas, whoseem destined to win their fifth National Championship in a row -- until they are shaken by the departure of their longtime coach. Fall in love with the Southern University Jaguars from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, an African-American team hoping to raise the $17,000 needed to travel to Nationals and transform their near win several years ago into a Cinderella victory. Root for the University of Memphis All-Girl cheerleaders from Tennessee -- a team that continually struggles for the same respect Coed teams get -- when their quest for a national title is threatened by injuries and dropouts. Along the way, meet unforgettable characters like Sierra, a cheerleading prodigy who has never lost a competition; Doug, who is in his eighth year as a college cheerleader; and Casi, one of the few female bases who can lift anothercheerleader on her own. These are people who risk horrifying injuries on a daily basis, battle demons like eating disorders and steroid use, and form intense bonds. In the immersive tradition of Friday Night Lights, Cheer! is a captivating, all-access journey into a deeply absorbing world. |
Contents
The Yale of College CheerleadingThe Stephen | 3 |
Both Teams in Bring It On Rolled into OneThe | 18 |
The SuperwomenThe university of Memphis AllGirl | 31 |
have a hell of a Good Time | 47 |
When a Coach Leaves a Program Either Drops Off | 59 |
Coach Will Go Crazy If We Win That Award | 76 |
hey Mom Im on ESPN | 93 |
That Was the Most Fun Ive Ever had at a Game | 107 |
Pretend Like Its Nationals Every Time | 170 |
Agendas Are Pulling Them in Different Directions | 190 |
natIOnalS | 195 |
Practices have Been Scary Lately | 197 |
he Can Do Rewinds with a horse | 217 |
Im ShitMyPants Nervous | 224 |
Its Like Race Car DrivingTheres Always a Chance Something Could Go Wrong | 253 |
That Dream Slowly Melted Away | 262 |
I Was Addicted to the Attention Not the Cocaine | 121 |
I Know We Cheered Our hearts Out Cause My Voice Is hoarse | 126 |
bId vIdeOS | 147 |
They Need a Little Cussing Out Sometimes Bless Their hearts | 149 |
That Pyramid Should Be Called the Wall of Death | 297 |
The Cheerleaders Dictionary | 347 |
Acknowledgments | 353 |
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Common terms and phrases
All-Girl arms Ashley audience bases begins better blue body Brad called camp Carol Casi cheer cheerleaders Coach James Coed comes competition Courtney dance don’t explains eyes face fall feel feet final five flyer football four front girl give gonna guys hair hands head holding hope It’s James Brown Jasmine jumps Kali Kristen land legs looks Memphis minutes Monica move perform play practice pulls pyramid rest routine Samantha says score seems shakes shoulders side Sierra smile someone Southern squad stage stand started steps straight stunt talk tell there’s thing toss Trisha tumbling turns Tyrone University walks watch week Wichita woman women yells Yvette