When SMU told sophomore Jamie Burns she would no longer be allowed to fully participate as a member of SMU’s cheerleading team, she was crushed.

Burns was dumbfounded that the school could still offer her a scholarship and allow her to stand on the sidelines during the game, but not perform any of the stunts and flips her teammates were executing.

Here is an athlete who has dedicated her time, body and soul to becoming an elite cheerleader, and as soon as she got her wish of cheering at a nationally ranked Division I school, the opportunity was taken right out from under her before she even realized it.

Burns was not notified of the university’s decision to forbid her from performing prior to last Friday night. In fact, she was unaware her pacemaker was even as issue with the school.

The problem is, SMU’s health insurane policy does not cover the specific dual chamber pacemaker Burns had installed to correct a heart condition. However, the university knew full well of the device when Burns tried out last April. Since it was of no matter back then, Burns simply thought the university had accepted it.

So was SMU fair in crushing this girl’s dream? Or were they simpy looking out for their best interest?

It’s understandable the school needs to cover themselves on all bases, but they should never have allowed Burns a spot on the team, and a scholarship, without either dicussing her condition at the time, or admitting there could be bumps in the road later.

Burns feels the university has cheated her out of a great opportunity. SMU feels they are doing the right thing by looking out for not only Burns’ safety, but the safety of other athletes who could be negatively affected should something happen.

SMU has agreed to get a second opinion about reinstating Burns, but will not investigate the matter until next week at the earliest. If this were football or basktetball though, would this be dealt with in a more timely manner?

The university is being responsible in protecting themselves from what could potentially develop into a serious lawsuit should something go wrong, but it isn’t fair to make a decision without doing the proper research, and at least contacting the athlete in question before the bomb is dropped.

Hopefully SMU will reinvestigate the situation, address Burns and her family in what they decide, and give this student athlete the chance she has earned to rejoin her teammates on the competition mat.