While male cheerleading is common amongst most college campuses, DU has not had one in over 50 years. This year, two students are breaking the boundaries and attempting to change the image of DU’s Cheerleading Team.

As the first male cheerleader of the two, junior biology major Nick Corcoran, from Colorado Springs is trying to prove people wrong.

“Just because I am straight doesn’t mean I can’t be a cheerleader,” said Corcoran.

Corcoran mentions how the stereotype of male cheerleaders continues to exist at DU, noting that in the gym he would inform other guys about the opportunity to stay in shape and receive a scholarship on a varsity sport, but he was brushed off by snide remarks about how cheerleading was not for guys.

“People see it as a feminine sport, they don’t see it as a straight man’s place so I feel like I challenge that gender role,” said Corcoran.

Corcoran, who wrestled, played football and ran cross-country in high school, had been interested in cheerleading since he was a freshman at DU in 2011, but the team was not holding tryouts. According to Corcoran, when he tried to bring it to DU’s attention, he claims he was shrugged off because it was still regarded as a female only sport. Luckily for Corcoran, in the spring of 2012 his dream finally came true.

“I saw the flyers up, and I saw that they were hosting a brand new coed program so I figured I would try out,” said Corcoran.

Corcoran was the only male to try out in spring and he made the team. Then, this fall, another male joined the team, freshman psychology major Jason Lau from Cherry Hills.

“One year I went to a football game and it was the first time I saw male cheerleaders; they did flips, stunts and tumbling. I was like that is not what people usually picture in their head when someone mentions male cheerleading,” said Lau.

Ultimately Lau, who ran cross-country in high school, wanted to stay in shape his freshman year. His Resident Assistant convinced him to try out and he was excited to make the team because he was able to receive a scholarship.

Since DU’s cheer team is a varsity sport, Corcoran, Lau and other members of the team receive scholarships. Corcoran and Lau are also provided with their uniforms, shoes and any other cheer related equipment.

According to Wendy Kraus, the cheerleading coach of five years, having a coed team has been a goal of DU’s for a few years.

“In the collegiate world of cheerleading, the coed team dynamic is what is normal in most other colleges, so it is really important for us,” said Kraus. “As the DU program continues to grow we want to be competing with them.”

As someone who wanted to try out but was not able to at first, Corcoran believes DU is finally trying to be inclusive for all students.

“I think it has been pushed because there was never the option for males to try out,” said Corcoran. “I think society is kind of pushing it that they should be inclusive, but I think it is also our coach. She thinks it will bring a different dynamic and will be helpful to keep the team support stronger.”

Although Corcoran and Lau have never had any previous experience in cheerleading, Kraus claims it is a learning experience for everyone on the team, and for herself as a coach.

“With this being our first year going coed, it is the perfect experience. It is a great partnership to come and learn with other people who haven’t been doing this before,” said Kraus.

This year, DU Cheer has 16 cheerleaders, including the five new members they gained since last spring. The team will be able to do new stunts and different routines since they have two males, according to Corcoran.

Corcoran and Lau attend practice three times a week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. and also practice on their own for strength training.

DU Cheer’s first major performance will be on Oct. 24 at the basketball pre-season scrimmage match.
One of Corcoran’s main goals is to expand the presence of DU’s cheer team so it is more competitive.

“I would like to see a third guy try out. I would love to see us compete as a DU team and to become competitive and for people to come to campus and know who we are,” said Corcoran.

According to Kraus, the Cheer Team wants cheerleaders who are going to represent DU’s athletic department, and rather than focusing on someone with the most talent, they look for someone who is well-rounded.

“We definitely look for team members that are going to be ambassadors for the athletic department,” said Kraus. “We are looking at academic integrity and personal character because these athletes are going to be out in the community talking about DU’s athletic department.”

For Corcoran, being the first male on the team does not bother him. Although none of his friends will try out for the team, his girlfriend and friends are still supportive of him, because they think he fits the cheerleader personality due to his school spirit.

“I really don’t mind being the only [guy] but now that we have a second person I think it will be great,” said Corcoran. “I like to be involved and if I can spread some school spirit and get to games, I enjoy doing it. I like to go to the games either way so if I can be on the field that is awesome.”

Even Lau admits that he thought cheerleading was a feminine sport at first, but it wasn’t until he was at a Bronco’s game and saw male cheerleaders that he realized how important their role was on the field.

“Male cheerleading was like parkour and tumbling,” said Lau.

Although Lau is happy to be a member of DU’s cheer team, his ultimate goal is to perfect his tumbling and gymnastics skills.

“There is not a male’s gymnastics team. I hope there will be one someday, but until then, cheerleading is a suitable alternative for me,” said Lau.

According to Lau, their routines focus on lifting the female cheerleaders up to do various stunts and doing routines that focus on working out different muscle groups.

Additionally, Corcoran and Lau will also be speaking in the megaphone during games to help get the crowd excited.

For both Corcoran and Lau, the goal is simple. They want to stay active, get a scholarship and most importantly spread their school spirit so that other people see what it means to be a male cheerleader.
“I hope to eliminate the stereotype that it is a sissy sport, and show that it is just as masculine as parkour and tumbling,” said Lau. “Honestly, how I see it, is that cheerleading is to express the spirit of DU, male or female.”

As a junior, Corcoran feels he has a great opportunity to change the stereotype and get other males to participate in the future.

“I feel like I am in a unique position because I am a third year,” said Corcoran. “I’m not a freshman, I’m not attempting to also fit this in with figuring out college. I am able to talk to people that are upperclassmen and incoming first years, and maybe I will be able to be helpful in changing the whole ‘cheerleading is not for guys’ stereotype.”