Everything has a founder. However, I've never wondered how cheerleading started until I came across this news story.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33393756
Cheerleading world mourns 'founder' Lawrence Herkimer
4 July 2015
Tributes have been paid to the founder of modern cheerleading who has died at the age of 89.
Lawrence Herkimer, known as "Herkie", built a successful business by setting up cheerleading camps and developing equipment - including the pom-pom.
Cheerleaders have been posting photographs of themselves performing his signature jump - the Herkie - on social media.
My comments: Click the above link, and you can have an idea of what the Herkie jump is like.
He died of heart failure on Wednesday, according to the New York Times.
Mr Herkimer formed a national organisation for cheerleading and a dedicated magazine while studying at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
After graduating in 1948, he reportedly borrowed $600 from a friend of his father-in-law's to begin his business in the family garage.
My comments: He was 23 years old then.
More about Lawrence Herkimer: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/07/04/420028589/lawrence-herkimer-the-father-of-modern-cheerleading-dies-at-89
His first camp attracted 52 girls and one boy. The following year, it drew 350 participants.
He also patented the pom-pom, which would go on to become a key component of cheerleading, and is credited with inventing the spirit stick.
My comments: Curious about the spirit stick? Here's some explanation: http://y98.cbslocal.com/2011/06/14/the-spirit-stick/
The organisation he founded, the National Cheerleading Association, said it was "deeply saddened by the loss of a legend".
My comments: Lawrence Herkimer at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Herkimer
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