History

Learn how cheerleading evolved from a single chant in 1898 to an IOC-recognized sport, driven by generations of athletes, creativity, and athletic excellence.

Updated Uniforms That Fit the Moment—Not Just the Body Cheerleading is a sport built on skill, not appearance. But for years, narrow visual standards have influenced how athletes—especially girls—view their bodies. That mindset is starting to shift. In 2025, USA...

Twenty-five years ago, a modest high school cheer movie hit theaters and unexpectedly changed the way we see the sport. What began as Jessica Bendinger’s offbeat script about rival squads became a cultural phenomenon—sparking conversations about representation and appropriation while...

A detailed retrospective on the influential 2010 ruling declaring cheerleading not a sport under Title IX, tracing its extensive impact on the cheerleading community.

The Spirit Stick, one of cheerleading’s most cherished and iconic traditions, originated from the visionary mind of cheerleading pioneer Lawrence "Herkie" Herkimer. Herkimer, often regarded as the father of modern cheerleading, profoundly influenced the sport, introducing numerous innovations, including the...

Varsity Brands completed its acquisition by an investment group led by Charlesbank Capital Partners in December 2014.