Cheerleading, long perceived as a masculine pastime, traces its roots to the mid-19th century where charismatic, athletic young men held the spotlight. Women were largely kept off the field at first, though their presence gradually grew during World War II when many college-aged men were abroad. It wasn’t until the 1960s that female cheerleaders became more common, and with that shift, some people began to question whether the activity remained truly athletic enough for men.

Interestingly, the United States has not had a female president, yet four former presidents—Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush—each spent time energizing crowds as school sports cheerleaders. Roosevelt never played other college sports, but as editor of the Harvard Crimson, he was an avid football fan and eventually served as head cheerleader. Eisenhower, who desired to play baseball and football at West Point, suffered a career-ending knee injury; nonetheless, he channeled his love for the game into the role of head cheerleader after that setback.

Reagan’s college years at Eureka College in the 1930s saw him involved in multiple athletic activities, from track and football to captaining and coaching the swim team. Bush’s leadership path took a similar turn—at Phillips Academy Andover in the 1960s, where participation in sports was mandatory, he became a cheerleader after initially lingering on the bench in basketball, baseball, and football, eventually rising to head cheerleader in his senior year.

Across the cultural landscape, the perception of cheerleading shifted. While Still a masculine activity in Andover, it was more often viewed as feminine in Texas, highlighting how regional culture can shape the meaning of the same pastime.