On this date in 1986, several Minnesota high schools banned cheerleading pyramids after NDSU cheerleader Janis Thompson died in a stunt accident, prompting safety concerns and policy changes.

Here is the complete story as it appeared in the paper that day:

By Sid Spaeth

STAFF WRITER

The death of a North Dakota State University cheerleader has prompted several Minnesota high schools to ban human pyramids and plant their cheerleaders’ feet firmly on the ground.

Schools in Perham, Park Rapids and Aitkin dismantled the pyramids after NDSU cheerleader Janis Thompson was killed last month performing a cheerleading stunt.

“You could go a million years and not have an accident,” said Truman Buisman, athletic director at Aitkin High School. “But if you knew about (Thompson’s death) and have a

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