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Chambers, spurred by alumni, criticizes cheerleader gear
By Amanda Cheek
Echo staff writer

This Atlanta Falcons cheerleader uniform, worn here by Celentria Adams, is the same style as the most contentious outfit worn by females of NCCU’s cheerleading squad.

A number of NCCU alumni are unhappy with the varsity cheerleading squad’s uniforms, according to Chancellor Julius Chambers.

Alumni have often told him that the squad’s cheerleaders’ are too "exposed," Chambers said. And Chambers agreed.

"Some of the uniforms expose too much," said Chambers. "They take away from the dignity of the young ladies and the university."

Chambers has been raising the issue with the squad for at least three years now, according to a source who asked to remain anonymous. Chambers confirmed this, saying that he had recently spoken with LuAnn Harris, NCCU’s Varsity cheerleading coach.

But NCCU cheerleader uniforms are pretty standard fare. They are ordered from a nationwide catalog used by many universities. A standard uniform skirt is 13 inches long. The tops come down to the bottom of the rib cage on the average torso.

NCCU uniforms are never shortened, according to sources. In fact, 'Falcon' uniforms are normally lengthened an inch or two.

According to Chambers, the uniform that has received the most comments is the maroon and silver Falcon. It has an athletic cut mid-drift top and a standard cheerleading skirt. The same uniforms that the cheerleaders wear are worn by cheerleaders all over the nation.

"Styles for cheerleading uniforms have changed throughout the years," said Dorothy Brower-Brokaw, a 1973 NCCU alumna who assists the team in her free time. "The young ladies are wearing uniforms that are appropriate for the types of movements that they are performing."

Some cheerleaders said they resent this attitude about the uniforms. They said they practice three hours a day and are not chosen according to how much of their body is going to be shown in the uniforms.

They said they are selected on the basis of their maturity, professionalism and poise. They said what’s important is how well their personalities and overall appearance mesh. They said they are hardworking, professional, diligent, and that they maintain high GPAs while taking full course loads.

"For all of the hard work and time spent on and off the sidelines, we get no thanks," said Kim Logan, NCCU cheerleader. "All we receive are negative comments about our uniforms,"

Cheerleaders said they are an asset to NCCU, that they boost morale and even help recruit students.

"The cheerleaders here are trendsetters, from the style of their uniforms, to the way their cheers market the institution," said Stephanie Jones, former NCCU Cheerleader. "[It’s not] their bodies. Before someone starts to judge the cheerleaders they ought to get into the uniform themselves."

But Chambers appeared to be holding his ground.

"I’m motivated to act on the comments of the alumni to make sure that the cheerleaders exemplify the respect of the institution," he said.