In a world of short skirts and pom-poms, it may be hard to imagine a male in the mix. But Stephen Aikin, a drawing junior, has found his calling as a male cheerleader.
From becoming captain of the cheer squad to reflecting on cheerleader's outfits, this week SPM discovers what cheer is really all about, from the male perspective.
SPM: Don't I know you?
Aikin: I'm the guy that smoked the UA cheer-leaders in a little stunt challenge held during a time-out of the ASU versus UA men's basketball game.
SPM: Oh, so you cheer?
Aikin: I am one of the two captains of the ASU cheer squad.
SPM: Do you like being a male cheerleader?
Aikin: Yeah, I do, but sometimes it seems to be a little ungratifying. Not many people seem to notice you because you are not wearing the short skirt, thank God. You are just there. Even in the cheer pictures the guys are always cut off at the wrist.
SPM: What are your favorite games at which to cheer?
Aikin: We cheer at every football game, women's basketball games and some men's basketball. My favorite is women's basketball because they let me travel cross-country with them.
SPM: How did you first get into cheer?
Aikin: This is kind of funny, but my brother tried out for the cheer squad when he was in high school. I heckled him about being a cheerleader for the entire season, and then two years later, I tried out.
SPM: Have you ever gotten any problems for being a male cheerleader?
Aikin: Well, last year at one of the football games ... one of the fans started yelling "queer-leader" at me. So, my partner goes and kicks her leg up onto my shoulder, and she says "stretch me." Then she grabs me around the neck and like hugs me, pulling herself in really tight against me. Then she throws her head back and plays with her hair a little bit. After we finished stretching, I look back into the stands, and the guy is like so apologetic.
SPM: What was your favorite game this year?
Aikin: My favorite was one of the games the women's basketball team played in L.A. for the NCAA tournament this year. It was really intense and emotional.
SPM: How are your outfits?
Aikin: Last year our shirts were almost all banana yellow, but this year our shirts have a good portion of maroon, so we stand out a little less.
