19 Vintage Photos of Cheerleaders in Action From the 1930s to the 1970s

The majority of early cheerleaders were men—in large part because squads did
not begin opening their ranks to women until the 1920s. The gender balance
shifted further during World War II, when an increasing number of women
filled positions vacated by men who had been drafted to fight in the war. By
the 1960s, the sport became dominated by women, as National Football League
teams began to organize professional squads.

These interesting vintage photos published by LIFE magazine from the late
1930s until it ceased publication in 1972, give a glimpse into everyday
American pastimes...

Male cheerleaders in action at Wisconsin-Marquette football game, 1939.

Howard University cheerleader Alfreda Young leading cheer during football 

game, 1946. 

Sixty high school cheerleaders with crepe-paper pompons whip up football 

spirit, 1947.

SMU cheerleader leaping high into air at University of Texas football 

game, 1950.

Duke cheerleaders cheering among the fans in the bleachers, 1952.

Cheerleaders at Florida State University, 1952.

High school girl cheerleaders wearing sweaters and skirts leaping high in 

the air during their vigorous cheers at the basketball game, 1953.

The girls of Central Catholic High School performing their cheerleading 

act in the gym, 1953.

Cheering section of cheerleaders in Spokane Coliseum, 1954.

Cheerleaders parading prior to a football game between Queens College and 

the University of Toronto, 1954.

Students participating in a cheerleading practice, 1958.

Cheerleaders at Little Rock high school game with Louisiana high school 

team, 1958.

Hempstead High School cheerleaders chanting a cheer as they encircle the 

school's tiger mascot during game with Uniondale High, 1958. 

Lawrence High School cheerleaders during football game, 1960. 

Members of the Kilgore Rangerettes, a dance/drill team, at the 1960 

Cotton Bowl. 

A group of cheerleaders rooting for their team, 1964.

Cheerleaders training under Bill Horan, of the American Cheerleaders 

Assn.; Florence Alabama State College, 1965. 

Notre Dame cheerleaders work the crowd during the 1966 "Game of the 

Century" against Michigan State, 1966.

Cheerleaders cheering for a high school basketball game, 1971.