Banned Michigan Male Cheerleaders Fight Back

July 2, 2006 — -- Cheerleading is often associated with just girls -- but it can include both men and women, especially at the competitive level. For instance, President Bush, a native of Texas, where cheerleading is serious business, led cheers at Phillips Academy and at Yale University.

Yet in Michigan, the state code was changed in 2003 to permit only all-female teams to compete in the national tournaments, where cheerleaders are often noticed by college scouts. The state's 15 co-ed teams can only cheer at school sporting events.

"I've been cheated and I'm very mad about it," said high school senior Mike Adams.

More than a million high school and college students now participate in competitive cheerleading. ESPN broadcasts many collegiate competitions and the sport inspired a hit movie -- "Bring It On," starring Kirsten Dunst.

Last year, Adams' United Team from Salem, Plymouth and Canton Mich., placed fifth in the nation. Over the past decade, 80 members of that high school squad went on to cheer in college -- 50 of them were boys.

"It's taking out a chance for me to get a scholarship, like my older brother did: He got into OSU on a cheerleading scholarship, and this rule takes away that hope," said high school senior Eric Obuchowski. "I was hoping to get into college with this. If we don't compete, we don't get scouted. And if we don't get scouted, it's harder for us to get into colleges."

The American Civil Liberties Union is threatening a lawsuit, since the efforts so far to get the rules changed in favor of the male students haven't worked.

"This is blatant sex discrimination," said Kari Moss of the Michigan ACLU. "They've got no legitimate reason for treating girls and boys differently."

Moss said that they would like to avoid a lawsuit but will pursue the case if the Michigan High School Athletic Association does not deal with the issue "in good faith."

In a written statement, the Michigan High School Athletic Association said competitive cheerleading was created to provide athletic opportunity for girls and that "it is only appropriate and legal that we work to continue its growth for the historically underrepresented gender."