By Bob Katzen

The Education Committee held a hearing on legislation that would designate and treat high school cheerleading as a legitimate sport and have it governed by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) which currently governs 19 other high school sports.

“Cheering is a highly competitive and athletically challenging sport,” said sponsor Rep. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica). “It should receive the same recognition and resources as any other sport in the commonwealth and as such, needs to be classified properly.”

Supporters said that Bay State high school cheerleading is currently governed by the Massachusetts Schools Administrators’ Association which only supports Cheer/Game Day, Dance and eSports. They argued it would be more appropriate to have the MIAA run and support this highly athletic and competitive sport.