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All-Girl college cheerleading squad
WHAT TO EXPECT for COLLEGE CHEERLEADING
Transitioning from your high school or all star cheer squad to college cheerleading can be challenging. College cheerleading has many different aspects, so know what to expect with our college cheerleading guide.
TRYING OUT FOR COLLEGE CHEERLEADING
Every college will have a set tryout date each year, although the cheerleader auditions and requirements vary from school to school. Be prepared to make a weekend trip to the college of your choice, as most schools will schedule tryout activities on both Saturday and Sunday. The judges want to have ample opportunity to evaluate your skills and fit on the team.
Tryouts for college cheerleading are much different than high school cheerleader auditions. In college cheerleading, skills are the main focus. Rather than performing a cheer, dance and toe-touch in front of a panel of judges as you would in high school, most colleges will require a certain level of stunt and tumbling ability. Expect the judges to want to see you stunt, tumble and jump as a large part of their scoring. College cheerleading tryouts are more about observing you in a practice environment, rather than a performance.
Be in the moment. Be ready to meet new people and friends at the college cheerleading tryout. A cooperative attitude and upbeat personality will also rub off on the judges’ assessment of your ability to fit in on the team.
photo:SI.com, Danielle from Western Ontario University
OFF TO COLLEGE CAMP
College Cheerleading Camp will also be a big change from your previous high school cheer camp experiences. College camp is more laid back, but don’t think the campers aren’t there to work on their skills and compete to impress. Instead of chanting in a spirited group down to breakfast, expect to join in stunt challenges, meet talented athletes from other schools and learn from their traditions, practices and programs.
One of the main goals for your college team at camp, will be to come together in preparing for you upcoming games. Expect the staff to focus on teaching you how to lead your football and basketball crowds effectively, show off your university traditions, and make your alumni proud.
PRACTICES
Practices in college are usually run much different than your high school program, since you and your team mates will not all be on the same school schedule. Expect to practice at times when everyone is most likely to be free: early mornings, mid-day or at night.
If you’re on a college cheerleading team that also competes, you can count on additional practices as nationals approaches. The practices might be focused on conditioning, stunt and tumbling, and may require extra weekend or holiday practices.
photo: Kansas University co-ed cheerleading squad
GAMES & PERFORMANCES
For cheerleaders transitioning from high school to college cheerleading, one of the most dramatic differences will be the game day atmosphere. The crowd is larger, more spirited, and are filled with alumni and fans that care about the team’s victory. College cheerleaders usually travel with the team to away games, and represent the university both home and away.
In college cheerleading, the game action chants are meant to get the crowd involved and yelling along with you, so the crowd reacts best to traditional material, such as fight songs or fan prompts, and simple chants that they can catch on to quickly. Signs and poms are used frequently to stimulate the crowd response. During the game, stunts and tumbling are used to enhance the crowd involvement, not to perform or show off.
CLASSES & SCHOOLWORK
College cheerleading takes a great deal of dedication, not only to the cheerleading regimen, but also to your studies. As a cheerleader, your schedule will not be as flexible as many of your classmates. College courses are hard enough as they are, and you will have additional demands on your time for practices, games and travel. The routine can get stressful, but it’s important to stay focused. Most college cheerleading coaches require grade checks from their team members as a requirement to stay on the squad. You must be responsible for completing your course requirements in order to keep your spot on the squad, no matter how hectic your cheerleading schedule may get.
COLLEGE CHEERLEADER RESPONSIBILITIES (and PERKS!)
As a college cheerleader, you were selected to represent the university with respect and honor. You will stand out. You will make special appearances at university functions, perform at pep rallies, games and events, so be prepared to be recognized. You will be expected to always be professional, and responsible, as you are held to a higher standard than other college students.
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