Competitive Cheer Is Not Yet Considered a Varsity Sport – Judge Predicts Bona Fide Title IX Sport in Near Future

By Robert L. Clayton and Alyson J. Guyan   Competitive cheerleading’s bid to become a recognized varsity sport was dealt a setback after a district judge ruled that during the 2009-10 season, the Competitive Cheer team at Quinnipiac University (“Quinnipiac” or “University”) did not function as a varsity sport capable of counting toward the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”). However, the ruling does leave the door open for competitive che