When it comes to the history of cheerleading, there are some
facts that are beyond dispute:
- In the late 1800s, crowds joined in chants at Princeton University.
- Cheerleading was born at the University of Minnesota.
- Lawrence Herkimer introduced the pom pom.
- Herkimer's nickname was Herkie.
- Herkie helped form the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA).
- Herkimer also invented the spirit stick and the jump called a Herkie.
- In the 1920s, females at the University of Minnesota began to form female cheer squads and incorporate tumbling into their routines.
- In the 1960s, NFL teams began to form cheer squads.
- In the 1980s, cheerleaders began to add more stunts to their routines and participate in competitive cheerleading squads.