A New Appreciation Of Cheerleading
Brock and I went to the Georgia Tech football game last Saturday. We try to go to a couple of games every year, and it is a roll-of-the-dice concerning where the seats may be located. As I remember last game, we were situated far up into the nosebleed section. Actually it provided a panoramic view of the Atlanta skyline, but a microscopic venue of the game. However, this time we were on the lower level, about ten rows up from the field. We were located on the two-yard-line, directly in front of the cheerleaders of the opposing team. It hampered my view of the game. However, my teenage son did not seem to mind at all.
So, I spent more time watching the cheers than the game. That's o.k., because the game was a blowout, 34-10. Previously I have never considered the athletic prowess of the cheerleader. When in high school we would elect our cheerleaders, by ballot. Prior to the vote, we would have a school assembly where the candidates would all perform individual cheers. As I faintly remember, I was not too concerned with how well they did the cheers. I had a teenage boy's mentality, and the hottest girls got my vote. Sorry. I know that was shallow. And I apologize to Gwen P. She did everything perfect, and would have made a great cheerleader. It's just that her bangs didn't look right. And, Kathy, Lynn, and Shelia were easier on the eyes. And if you accuse me of having been a shallow, singularly-focused, hormone charged adolescent, I will plead guilty. What would be sad would be a guy may age, still categorized in such a way. (Right, surrogate?)
I've gained a new appreciation for the art of cheerleading. There were five guys and five gals. Now, when I was in school we did not have male cheerleaders, except for the one time per year when guys would dress up in drag and pretend to do cheers for the girl's basketball game. Once the Principal got the bright idea to allow the student body to elect male cheerleaders. The problem- no candidates. We thought it to be sissy.
There was nothing sissy about the performance I witnessed Saturday. Those guys were strong and agile. I was particularly impressed with how they could lift the young ladies far above their heads, arms outstretched with counterparts standing upon their palms. These guys were muscular, and appeared every bit as athletic as the football players for who they sought to rally the support of the crowd.
As I said, Tech easily beat Army. We took the MARTA train to the ballpark. As we boarded the train car, here's the view that greeted us.
The car was filled with Army fans. They saw our Tech shirts and hats, and greeted us with a loud and good-natured boo. I was a bit taken back, and thought for a moment that it was time to find somewhere else to sit. But we laughed and enjoyed their company. They knew they were going to lose! One of the ladies in the photo is the mom of #6 for Army, a wide receiver. She was bubbly and so proud. I promised to cheer for her son, and should he catch the winning touchdown to not be upset. During the game, he dropped several balls. I'm sure mom was proud, anyhow."I'm a heck of a wreck from Georgia Tech, and a pretty doggone good engineer..." - That is how the song goes, I think?
