Spring Break
Pacemaker sidelines SMU cheerleader
Nicole Jacobsen, Opinion Editor, njacobse@smu.edu
Issue date: 9/12/08 Section: News
"The only abnormal thing about Burns is that she has an incredible and rare talent along with a persistence that is unbreakable," said Sara Bedford, a senior member of the SMU cheerleading team. "It's not fair that Jamie is not able to cheer. Her pacemaker has never hindered her ability to be an amazing athlete, much less participate in cheer."
Burns explained the university was incorrect about her diagnosis, saying, "They based their decision off an article that was in a cardiology magazine that talks about people with Long QT Syndrome who haven't been treated yet. So therefore, it doesn't apply to me. I guess they're going to try to find another opinion."
"Obviously, athletics insurance at any college level doesn't come cheap," said Bedford. "There are countless injuries in every sport, and the high level of inherent liability in cheerleading is actually pretty surprising. However, the risk that everyone takes to participate in any sport should be rewarded, not punished."
While cheerleading used to be a group of students yelling chants at football and basketball games, collegiate cheerleading has evolved into a much more competitive sport.
Last year, the SMU spirit program took second place at the National Cheerleaders Association College Cheerleading Championship - the highest the team has finished in the program's history. It would be a dream come true for any competitive cheerleader to earn a spot as one of the 30 members of this elite squad.
Burns said her decision to cheer at SMU was strongly impacted by her desire to cheer at a nationally ranked Division I school.
Complete with letters and release statements from her cardiologist saying she was free to perform without any medical restrictions, Burns tried out for the spirit squad in April under the pretense her medical condition would be of no concern.
The athlete also signed a university waiver saying she would not sue the university in the case of something happening.
Burns explained the university was incorrect about her diagnosis, saying, "They based their decision off an article that was in a cardiology magazine that talks about people with Long QT Syndrome who haven't been treated yet. So therefore, it doesn't apply to me. I guess they're going to try to find another opinion."
"Obviously, athletics insurance at any college level doesn't come cheap," said Bedford. "There are countless injuries in every sport, and the high level of inherent liability in cheerleading is actually pretty surprising. However, the risk that everyone takes to participate in any sport should be rewarded, not punished."
While cheerleading used to be a group of students yelling chants at football and basketball games, collegiate cheerleading has evolved into a much more competitive sport.
Last year, the SMU spirit program took second place at the National Cheerleaders Association College Cheerleading Championship - the highest the team has finished in the program's history. It would be a dream come true for any competitive cheerleader to earn a spot as one of the 30 members of this elite squad.
Burns said her decision to cheer at SMU was strongly impacted by her desire to cheer at a nationally ranked Division I school.
Complete with letters and release statements from her cardiologist saying she was free to perform without any medical restrictions, Burns tried out for the spirit squad in April under the pretense her medical condition would be of no concern.
The athlete also signed a university waiver saying she would not sue the university in the case of something happening.
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