With nothing to do but practice between the start of school and nationals in April, any team would become a bit restless.

The N.C. State all-girl cheerleading club has been trying to get on the football field ever since its inception in 2002. It has been met with firm opposition from the N.C. State Athletic Department, with the most common arguments being that it is not a real sport and there would be too many people on the field.

“It’s just kind of a dead end in the athletic department; no one will listen to us,” senior Jamie Howell, a senior in parks, recreation and tourism management, said. “We’re not asking to become a sport — although that would be nice. We just want the chance to support our team.”

After initially admitting that he didn’t know that there was indeed an all-girl cheerleading club, Chris Alston, the director of marketing and promotions for athletics, stood by his department’s statements.

“It just doesn’t make sense to have two cheerleading teams on the field,” Alston said.

Other universities in the region recognize all-girl cheerleading as a varsity sport. South Carolina, Louisville, and conference foe Maryland not only recognize all-girl cheerleading as a varsity sport, but also allow them to cheer at football games. The schools have begun to offer full scholarships to girls looking to join the all-girl squads.

“An athletic team should want all the support that they can get, and we want to offer that support,” Natalie Griffith, a sophomore in communication, said.

Howell cheered on the varsity squad for the first two years of her college career, but quit to join the all-girl team. There are now seven girls who have left co-ed to cheer with the all-girl squad.

“It’s a trend that’s continuing,” Howell said.

Last year, the team consisted of over 80 members, easily one of the biggest clubs at N.C. State, and placed fifth place at nationals. However, it still has to petition to be included in the homecoming parade and is not allowed in the pep rally.

“We’ve grown so much, but it’s really frustrating that the better we get and the more people we get, it’s still stagnant as far as us getting on the football field,” said Erin Toft, a senior in business management. Members of the team argue that there is another side of the field that is not currently in use, with fans that deserve to be included in the festivities.

Alston said the “other side of the field” that the girls refer to is reserved for photographers and television crews.

“Space is always an issue,” Alston said. “It’s so tight during the games, with both the dance and cheer teams on the field, and if the visiting team brings their own cheerleaders, there isn’t a lot of room down on the sidelines.”

According to the 2008 NCAA rules for sideline control, the team area is limited to players and administration. However, the area from the limit lines outward to the stadium seating, while restricted, has no set number of individuals allowed on the field.

Molly Wheeler, a sophomore in business management, said she wants her team to be given the same opportunities as other club sports.

“We work just as hard as everyone else,” Wheeler said. “We want to support our school, and other club sports get to participate at games, like the dance team.”

“A lot of people think that the dance team is a sport, but they’re a club sport,” Toft said. “If other club sports are on the field, why shouldn’t we have that same opportunity?”

Alston stands by the dance team, saying they have history on their side.

“The dance team has been a part of games for over ten years, and they’ve done a great job,” Austin said.

“Plus, we like a little variety.”

Alex Barbour, a sophomore in communications, said that the all-girl squad has also been a force in the community, earning the club sports community service award for two years running.

“If we support our community — which includes N.C. State — then N.C. State should be willing to support us as well,” Barbour said.