Cheerleaders in formation at basketball game, Rice University

A group of ten Rice University cheerleaders performing a complicated pyramid formation during a Rice Basketball game held at Autry Court. Rice University’s mascot, Sammy the Owl, is standing just behind the rearmost cheerleader. The scoreboard can be seen in the upper right-hand corner, and the banners for Rice University, University of Texas at Austin, and Texas A&M are hanging on the back wall. Original resource is a black and white 35 mm slide.Originally called yell leaders, cheerleading started in 1916. The squad was male-only until 1953. In April of that year, Jane Ryba, Joan Ryba, and Carolyn Thomas were elected as the first female cheerleaders