Introduction to the Issue The origination of cheerleading in
this country has been traced back to supportive fans right here
at the University of Minnesota in 1898 (Boden, Tacchetti, &
Mueller, 2003). Unfortunately, the activity of cheerleading,
both in high school and collegiate settings, has become much
more complicated today. Injuries resulting from cheerleading,
both minor and severe, are increasing at an alarming rate and
there has not been enough done to prevent these regrettable
injuries. Most people consider cheerleading to be a relatively
safe sport, especially compared to other contact sports, like
football (Magna’s Campus Legal, 2006). However, cheerleading
injuries, especially catastrophic injuries, have been
dramatically rising over the last twenty-five years and are
continuing to do so (Magna’s Campus Legal, 2006). It is
estimated that there are about one million participants in
cheerleading activities in the United States, ranging from
elementary school through professional sport levels (Jacobs