Cheerleader uniform controversy settled

The Wilkes University cheerleading uniform controversy has ended with the allocation of a $4,000 grant for new uniforms.

Last week, the cheerleaders presented a two week proposal before Student Government requesting money for new uniforms. This came after their newest uniforms were confiscated by Wilkes President Tim Gilmour, who considered them inappropriate.

Cheerleading coach Lauren Pluskey explained the uniforms were deemed inappropriate because the design was incorrect. The letter on the uniforms wasn't the traditional Wilkes "Flying W," but  more of a stylized letter "W," she said.

"The cheerleaders had the same uniforms for the last five years," Pluskey said. "Typically they get new uniforms every four years. This past year is the fifth year. They are very ripped and torn, and we would like to get new ones. During basketball season the girls paid for new ones."

Issues were raised about who should be funding cheerleading. The athletic department used to fund all of cheerleading, but Student Government has funded cheerleading since it was moved to a club.

"It's my understanding that we are a club and we are taken off the budget," Pluskey said. "Cheerleading has been a club for a past few years."

Confusion arose about funding due to the fact that the cheerleading coaches and staff are paid by athletics while the cheerleaders are not recognized as an official team by the school. Dean of Student Affairs Mark Allen clarified the situation.

"They do not qualify by virtually a number of different reasons to be an exclusive official team, so they fall back on that club status," Allen said. "However, athletics supports them through staffing as well as space and training."

SG showed support and most of the members were impressed with the amount of research and style of the presentation presented during the two-week proposal. Cody Bauman, freshman class president, was one of those members who voted in favor of allocation.

"They really did their homework, and I was impressed with how they handled the situation," Bauman said.

Allen was also in favor of allocating money to the cheerleaders' new uniforms.

"Honestly, I feel that the cheerleaders give a deal of spirit to the athletic events, and I think everyone wants to recognize and support that," Allen said.

During deliberations, SG President Ben Beidel announced that Student Affairs had offered to split the fund request stating it was unfair for the SG budget to suffer.

"There was some confusion about the uniforms and therefore, we felt it was fair to split this fund request to take care of the uniform problem," Allen said. "We hope that Student Government does continue to recognize the cheerleaders as a club with spirited activity rather than an athletic team."

The conflict came to an end with the unanimous decision from the present members of SG. The decision was made to accept the request of $4,000 for new uniforms with a $2,000 check from both SG and Student Affairs.

The coaches and the cheerleaders were gracious to have been awarded the money for new uniforms. The grant money will mostly go toward these new uniforms which includes pompoms.

"We're hoping to update our look now with new uniforms, but we haven't picked out a design yet," senior captain Nicole Croyden said. "Most people don't realize is that cheerleading is expensive, and uniforms can cost a lot of money."

To avoid any further controversy, Croyden went on to say that once the girls do pick out a new design for their uniforms, they will present the idea to a committee to determine if they are appropriate and acceptable. While the cheerleaders have not picked out a particular design at the moment, they are excited to give a whole new look this upcoming football season.

"We are excited and grateful," sophomore pre-pharmacy major Meribeth Derkach said. "We feel that we do a lot for the university and wish to represent it the best we possibly can."