The Mason-Dixon Cheerleading Competition History

The cheerleading competition at the Mason-Dixon Basketball Tournament was an outgrowth of a friendly gesture by the Tennessee School for the Deaf cheerleaders and their sponsors. In 1965, when the tournament was at TSD, the two TSD cheerleading squads supported visiting teams at the tournament. They wore the color of their "adopted" team over their TSD uniforms. This gesture was well received and the idea of cheerleaders at the Mason-Dixon Basketball Tournament "caught-on". Coaches and other people connected with the tournament felt that the cheerleaders added to the spirit of the competition. It also gave the cheerleaders something to look forward to. In Alabama, 1971, another incentive for the cheerleaders was formally adopted. A championship trophy was given that year and the initial trophy was won by TSD. In 1972, Florida took home the trophy from the competition which was held in North Carolina. Kentucky School for the Deaf grabbed the honors in 1973 and thus was born the cheerleaders competition that has developed into a real and enthusiastic rivalry among the eleven southeastern schools.

From 1974 to 1976, by dint of determination, enthusiasm, and hard work, the TSD squad captured the trophy each year.

In the meantime, thought was being given to second and third place finishers. It was felt that talent was going unrecognized and the challenge was too limited. So at the 1977 tournament at the Virginia School for the Deaf, three trophies were awarded: Kentucky took first place, North Carolina took second, and Alabama third.

Because of the increasing popularity of the cheerleading competition and the continued development of high levels of skill, it was decided at the 1978 Tournament (Tennessee) to add a Traveling Trophy to be presented to the winning team. This trophy has been designated as the Miss Cobb Traveling Trophy in honor of Miss Regina Cobb of the Tennessee School for the Deaf. After 20 years it will be awarded to the team with the most wins.

In addition, it was decided that the winning team members would be awarded individual trophies. So, good luck cheerleaders! May the best squads win each year.

Cheerleading Competition Awards

1971 Tennessee 1972 Florida 1973 Kentucky 1974 Tennessee 1975 Tennessee 1976 Tennessee 1977 1st Kentucky   2nd North Carolina   3rd Alabama 1978 1st Tennessee   2nd Kentucky   3rd Florida 1979 1st Florida   2nd Tennessee   3rd Kentucky 1980 1st Alabama & Florida   2nd Kentucky   3rd North Carolina 1981 1st Florida   2nd Tennessee   3rd Mississippi 1982 1st Virginia   2nd Florida   3rd Mississippi 1983 1st Florida   2nd Tennessee   3rd Mississippi 1984 1st Florida   2nd Mississippi   3rd Virginia 1985 1st Florida   2nd Tennessee   3rd Kentucky 1986 1st Kentucky   2nd Florida   3rd Louisiana 1987 1st Eastern North Carolina   2nd Alabama   3rd Kentucky 1988 1st Louisiana   2nd Florida   3rd Alabama 1989 1st Louisiana   2nd Eastern North Carolina   3rd Florida 1990 1st Eastern North Carolina   2nd Alabama   3rd Florida

1991 1st Louisiana   2nd Florida   3rd Eastern North Carolina 1992 1st Eastern North Carolina   2nd North Carolina   3rd Louisiana 1993 1st North Carolina   2nd Louisiana   3rd South Carolina 1994 1st North Carolina   2nd Eastern North Carolina   3rd South Carolina 1995 1st Tennessee   2nd Louisiana   3rd South Carolina 1996 1st Louisiana   2nd South Carolina   3rd North Carolina 1997 1st North Carolina   2nd Louisiana   3rd South Carolina 1998 1st South Carolina   2nd Louisiana   3rd Alabama 1999 1st Alabama   2nd Kentucky   3rd Tennessee 2000 1st South Carolina   2nd Louisiana   3rd Florida 2001 1st South Carolina   2nd Florida   3rd North Carolina 2002 1st Louisiana   2nd Tennessee   3rd South Carolina 2003 1st Louisiana   2nd Mississippi   3rd Alabama 2004 1st Louisiana   2nd Tennessee   3rd Florida 2005 1st Louisiana   2nd South Carolina   3rd Mississippi 2006 1st Florida   2nd Louisiana   3rd Alabama

2007 1st Florida   2nd Alabama   3rd Louisiana