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Charleston Southern University Cheerleading Tryout Information
Tryouts for the 2008-2009 squad
Date: April 18-19, 2008

Listed below are the requirements for the 2008-2009 CSU Cheerleading Squads. Please work hard to master all of the following skills in order to be a competitive applicant for the 2008-2009 tryouts.

I. Squad Tryout Information

General Information
Cheerleading at CSU is an activity that requires a lot of work and dedication. As a cheerleader you will practice/workout/tumble/cheer 4-6 times each week. You are expected to put the team above everything except your spirituality and academics. You will also be required to log 4 study hall hours each week. We are working with the school to determine the procedure and number of hours to be required. You are expected to manage your time well so that your spirituality and academics do not suffer due to cheerleading. If you have questions about what is required of the cheerleaders, please contact the coaches.

Gold Cheerleading Squad
(Co-ed – composed of 14-20 members)
The Gold squad is typically a co-ed cheer squad. The squad will primarily cheer at football games and men’s home basketball games. The squad will also cheer women’s home basketball games if the Blue squad does not have enough participants. The squad also travels to basketball tournaments, and makes community appearances throughout the season. Games and tournaments can take place during holidays.

Blue Cheerleading Squad
(All girl-primarily composed of 8-10 girls)
The blue squad is typically a non-stunting cheer squad; however, this may change depending on talent and desire of participants. The blue squad members primarily cheer at home football games, women’s basketball games, and also make community appearances throughout the season.

Competitive squad
The Competition squad will consist of the gold squad and may have a few spots open to members of the blue squad.

II. Selection Process

The CSU Cheerleading tryouts last for two days consisting of two preliminary clinics and one final clinic. During tryouts the coaches will assess the abilities, leadership skills and the potential of candidates for a position on one of the CSU Cheerleading squads. CSU will not hold a typical tryout session, but instead will hold a final clinic where the coaches will evaluate the participants’ performance in a practice-like setting. Participants will be evaluated from the moment they arrive and everything will be taken into consideration. This procedure allows the participants to try-out without the stress of having to perform individually and allows the coaches to see how the participant will perform in a more realistic environment.

Actual attendance by candidates at the tryout sessions is highly recommended; however persons who cannot attend the tryout sessions (and have contacted the coach about this option) may submit a video for consideration. All videos must be submitted by April 16th and follow the format listed below.

If you would like to submit a sample video to determine your likelihood of success, you are allowed to do so. The coaches will be glad to take a look at your video and give you feedback on skills that you are strong in and those that need work. Please contact the coaches before you send a video.

Notification of Selection
The numbers of the persons selected for the CSU Cheerleaders will be posted following the final tryout clinic. Those candidates that make one of the CSU Cheerleading squads will be asked to remain for a short meeting and to try on clothes, shoes, and uniforms. Candidates selected by video will be called following tryouts. Those who make the squad will be given a fitness goal sheet to work on during the summer. Progress sheets on your fitness goals are required during the summer, and a fitness test will be given when the squad returns to campus in the fall.

Minimum Qualifications for tryouts
Candidates wishing to tryout for a position on the CSU Cheerleading squads must meet the following minimum qualifications:

1. Have proof of acceptance to or enrollment at CSU
2. Have an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher
3. Not be on disciplinary probation
4. Have sufficient physical fitness, strength, and athletic skills to perform the cheerleading activities described below
5. Have health insurance
6. Have turned in a completed tryout packet

Selection Criteria

Skills:
Gold Squad
STANDING TUMBLING (strongly recommended)
Back hand spring

RUNNING TUMBLING (strongly recommended)
Roundoff Back hand spring
Those who do not have these tumbling skills may tryout, but preference is generally given to those who can tumble.

STUNTS (either all-girl or co-ed)
Participants must base or fly in the following skills, you cannot try out as a back spot.
1. Straight-up Extension
2. Ground-up Liberty
3. Either Heel Stretch or Arabesque, full-down
4. Transitional Stunt: reload, full-up, backhandspring to stunt, etc. Final stunt must be an extension or higher. You cannot end in an elevator/prep/half.
FIGHT SONG
Females only

CHEER
Includes a back handspring/toe touch (females required, males recommended)

Blue Squad (all-girl)
FIGHT SONG
CHEER
DANCE

During the final tryout clinic, candidates will be evaluated on the skills listed above, their attitudes during preliminary clinics, their ability to remember routines, and their physique.
Interviews with all candidates will be done prior to the skills assessment and will be conducted by the CSU Cheerleading Coaches.

III. Video Tryout Requirements

ALL VIDEOS SUBMITTED MUST HAVE PRIOR PERMISSION FROM THE CSU CHEERLEADING COACH AND CONTAIN ALL OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION

1. Video footage of the candidate at a school sporting event or pep rally (must be at least 20 sec long)
2. Display of each required skill listed above in the tumble and stunt skills sections
3. Perform a cheer of your choice, which includes a back handspring/toe touch (all girl)
4. Perform a dance of your choice (at least 5-8 counts)
5. Interview questions - discuss at the end of your tryout video-DO NOT SUBMIT ON PAPER

• Why do you want to become a CSU Cheerleader?
• What do you have to offer the program and the university?
• Where do you stand spiritually? Please be honest. There are no requirements for the squad, but if you make the squad you will be representing a Christian University and will be expecting to follow the rules of the University.

ALL VIDEOS MUST BE AT THE UNIVERSITY NO LATER THAN APRIL 16, 2008. VIDEO SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE PREVIEWED PRIOR TO TRYOUTS THEY WILL BE PLAYED DURING THE TRYOUT SESSION.

IV. Fitness Test

At tryouts, you will be required to run a mile for evaluation. You will be required to pass the fitness test after you make the squad and return after the summer.

Girls:

1. 9 minute mile
2. Run 20 minutes without stopping
3. Bench Press 50% of your body weight, 3 sets of 8
4. Lunge the length of a basketball court 3 times
5. Curl – Flyers 3 sets of 10, 10 lbs; Bases 3 sets of 10, 15 lbs.
6. 35 pushups in 1 min.

Boys:
1. 8 minute mile
2. Run 20 minutes without stopping
3. Bench Press lesser of your body weight or 225 lbs, 6 times
4. Lunge the length of a basketball court 4 times
5. Curl – 3 sets of 10, 35 lbs.
6. 50 pushups in 1 min.

V. Tryout Packet Information

Packet Information
All candidates must submit a completed tryout packet to the CSU Cheerleading program before try-outs.
YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN TRYOUTS WITHOUT A COMPLETED PACKET.

Tryout packet content checklist:

1. Completed application;
2. Copy of insurance card;
3. One coaches recommendation form;
4. Freshman and / or transfers: high school or previous college transcript (does not have to be official) and fall class schedule if available
5. Current CSU students: transcript as well as fall schedule
6. Signed Cheerleader Agreement
7. Rules and Regulations – keep for your reference, signing the cheerleader agreement says that you have read, understand, and agree to follow these rules and regulations

VI. Tryout Schedule

Friday, April 18
6:00 Informational Meeting
6:30 – 10:00 Preliminary Clinic

Saturday, April 19
9:00 – 12:00 Interviews/Preliminary Clinic
1:00 – 4:00 Interviews/Final Clinic
4:00 Team Meeting/Try-on Uniforms

VII. Contact Information

Head Coaches:

Summer and Ricky Reyes
Cell #: 843-814-9404
Home #: 843-821-7422

Mail:
Summer Reyes
CSU Cheerleading Coach
Charleston Southern University
9200 University Blvd.
PO Box 118087
N. Charleston, SC 29406
E-Mail: sreyes@csuniv.edu

VIII. Frequently Asked Questions

1. When & where are tryouts?
April 18-19, 2008. Tryouts will be held at the Brewer Center on the campus of Charleston Southern.
2. When is my tryout packet and/or video due?
Tryout packets are due April 11, 2008; however, if additional time is needed please contact the coach. Videos are due April 16, 2008.
3. Do you offer scholarships?
Yes. Cheerleaders are given a book stipend each semester. The amount offered is based on the budget for that year.
4. Can I tryout for both squads?
Yes, if you choose to tryout for the gold co-ed squad and do not make the squad you can be considered for the blue squad as well. Please indicate on your information sheet if you are interested in one squad or both.
5. What are practices like?
Gold Squad practices are conducted by the CSU Cheerleading Coaches and are held at CSU. Practice sessions concentrate on stunting, both pyramids and group stunts, and include tumbling and conditioning. Gold squad practices are held in the evenings and are typically 2-3 times a week. Blue Squad practices are separate from gold squad practices, and consist of perfecting jumps, dances, and cheers. Competition squad practices will be conducted at different times than the squad practices. Practices are typically held in the evenings, so keep this in mind when scheduling for classes.
6. What do I wear to tryout sessions?

Females:
* Plain T-shirt (solid color)
* Athletic Shorts
* Hair must be in a ponytail (you may wear a ribbon)
• Game day make up

Males:
* T-shirt
* Athletic Shorts

All
* NO Jewelry
* NO logos from high schools, previous cheerleading, or CSU

7. What time should I show up for tryout sessions?
We recommend that everyone arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled sessions to warm-up and be taped.
8. Is there a height & weight requirement?
No, we do not have a requirement for height or weight; however, we do require that all potential members maintain the appropriate physique in order to participate in all required movements and skills. For flyers this is typically 115 pounds.
9. Are tryouts open to the public?
The preliminary clinics are open to the public, but the final tryout clinic is not open to the public.
10. Do I need to have a physical completed by a physician?
No, physicals will be given when you move on campus. However, please do not attempt to attend and participate in tryouts if you are not physically capable.

If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact Summer Reyes.

Thank you so much for your interest in Charleston Southern Cheerleading and we look forward to seeing you at tryouts this year.

Cheerleader Agreement Cheerleader Application Coach Recommendation Rules and Regulations Tryout Packet Cover Sheet Tryout Packet Information