Women, athletes or not, look in the mirror an average of 8 times a day. 8 times a day, a woman is ready to fix anything she deems “not good enough” with her appearance. 

While individuals are definitely harsh about their own appearance, this is not the whole story in the female athlete world. As a female athlete, you are expected to look a certain way. Society tells us that female swimmers are supposed to have huge arms, female soccer players are supposed to have super strong, toned legs, and volleyball players are supposed to be super tall and skinny. Oh, and they have to be hot. When a female athlete doesn't fit these aesthetic expectations, their athletic ability comes into question not just by coaches, but also by the public. 

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Based on this, one can only imagine what dancers and cheerleaders, who are often looked at by fans for their appearance instead of their athletic ability, deal with on a daily basis. Dancers and cheerleaders represent a university in a completely different way than other athletes do. These men and women pose for pictures with fans at sporting events, alumni meetings, charity events, and more. They are yhere to enhance a fan's experience at a game, and while many little girls look up to these ladies, it is also hard to miss all of the drunk older men who want a photo too. 

Related: Daily Grind: Tumbling Through a Day in the Life of a DI Male Cheerleader

Because these dancers and cheerleaders are seen and interact with fans every game, their appearance is greatly scrutinized compared to other sports. As a member of the University of Michigan dance team, we are required to have our social media platforms set to private because of how many older men and strangers will try to engage with us. We are also to make sure that our social media is clean and professional: no alcohol or signs of going to parties on our account, and only a modest number of bikini pictures.  

Related: Social Media Rules for Athletic Recruits

While the common stereotype of cheerleaders – beautiful, skinny women – has grown more diversified in recent years, many dance and cheer coaches still look for recruits who fit this mold that fans expect. Although dance and cheer programs differ from university to university, it is very common to find that most teams still wear small, tight-fitting outfits with tops that show their stomach. These outfits and sizes only continue to pressure coaches to fit this skinny cheerleader mold because these new girls need to fit into these outfits that were brought into style 20 years ago. It's a vicious cycle.

An anonymous member of the Virginia Tech dance team shared her game day experience, saying that girls are required to curl their hair and wear face powder so that sweat isn't noticeable to the crowd. Her coaches have gone as far as telling her that her face looked “too sweaty and red.” She also mentioned that members of the team cannot cut their hair shorter than shoulder length because their game-day curls would look too short. 

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These rules may seem crazy to an average fan, but are very common throughout the dance and cheer community. Many teams ask that members inform coaches before making any major changes to their appearance. As a member of the University of Michigan Dance team, I am not allowed to get any tattoos or body piercings and am to remove any excess ear piercings before performing at games. While different programs vary in how strict their appearance rules are, most are aiming to look uniformed and professional for fans and to protect the team's image. 

Looking uniform and professional doesn't just deal with hair length or color though. It also brings to light a team member's body size and how they compare to the rest of the team. Many dancers and cheerleaders will recall going through fitness tests or even weigh-ins during their time as members of a dance or cheer team. While many coaches will say these activities are meant to make sure team members are staying healthy and fit, it is also commonly used as a mechanism to speak with members that might be heading towards a weight that is not “flattering” and therefore unacceptable for the team. 

One can see now why this topic becomes so complicated. University athletic programs are in place to serve their fans and produce what they want to see on the field. This doesn't just mean getting top football recruits or having the nicest facilities. It also pertains to the cheerleaders and dancers that are out on the field and showcased to 100,000 people every single game. Should what fans expect really be at the cost of a young woman's self-esteem though? 

Related: Recruiting Horror Stories™: In an Instant, the Cheer Team was Banned From Competing

Dancers and Cheerleaders commit to a sport that asks them to put their entire appearance and body image on the line. They are scrutinized every single time they decide to put on that tiny little dress, curl their long hair, and apply that red lipstick. While these looks are often from little girls that look up to them or happy fans that enjoy the spirit they bring, they are still often judged or sexualized. 

As the new year begins, with it should come a new perspective on dancers and cheerleaders. These women and men are diversified individuals, and they are more than their appearance. They are here to make your experience at the university exhilarating. Behind the sparkly outfits, long curled hair, perfectly done makeup, and loud cheers are the faces of both women and men that spend countless hours in gyms perfecting skills, drilling sections of routines, and working as a team to create the best experience for their fans and family members. Just like the football and basketball teams. Remember that they are people too and deserve to be seen as such.

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* Originally published on February 1, 2022, by Sydney Borens