Indiana Pom Squad Fighting Plans To Drop Team

Indiana took third place at the 2003 NDA nationals

From the Associated Press

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Members of Indiana University's pom squad are trying to build support for their fight against a decision to eliminate their team.

The pom squad's 14 members, who perform halftime dances and lead sideline cheers at football and basketball games, found out in an e-mail two weeks ago that the school would not sponsor the team for next year.

The decision to drop the pom squad was made as part of a review of the school's game-day activities, associate athletic director Chuck Crabb said Wednesday.

"It is important to note that this is not necessarily a permanent decision, but rather the most cost-effective and efficient way at this time to rally fan support for Indiana University athletics teams," he said.

The pom squad is one of three teams in IU's cheerleading program. Members of the other two - one all-female and one with men and women - will be selected at tryouts next month.

Pom squad supporters have created an online petition calling on IU administrators to change their decision.

"We're trying to rally all the support we can get from students and alumni," said Devon Goudge, a squad member from Chicago.

IU athletics spokesman Pete Rhoda said the school paid for travel expenses and some meals for the squad and bought uniforms, shoes and other team apparel.

Goudge said those costs were limited, because pom squad members do not receive scholarships and they raise money to pay for the program, including trips to national dance team competitions. She said it was the pom squad that attracted her to IU.

"I saw the team on ESPN at nationals when I was in high school," she said. "I thought they were amazing, phenomenal dancers, and I wanted to be part of that."

Click Here to sign the petition to save IU Pom