Tryouts

 

 

2009-10 Spirit Squad Tryouts


Preliminary Tryout Sessions - April 16-18, 2009

 

*Must be present the first 3 days (Thurs., Fri., & Sat.) to participate in the formal try out on Sunday
*Current UNI students must have at least 2.0 GPA to tryout

*Must bring proof of health insurance and either student ID or letter of acceptance to UNI to the first day of tryouts

 

University of Northern Iowa Campus

Cedar Falls, Iowa

 

 

Thursday, April 16

Cheer: 6:00 - 9:00 pm -- UNI-Dome

Dance:  6:00 -9:00 pm -- West Gym

 

Friday, April 17

Cheer: 6:00 - 9:00 pm -- West Gym Wrestling Room

Dance:  6:00 -9:00 pm -- West Gym

 

Saturday, April 18

Cheer: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm -- West Gym Wrestling Room

Dance: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm -- West Gym

 

 

 

Formal Tryout - April 19, 2009

 

*Must be present the first 3 days (Thurs., Fri., & Sat.) to participate in the formal try out on Sunday
 

 

Sunday, April 19

Cheer:

Warm-up - 12:30 am

Tryout - 1:00 pm

West Gym

New squad meeting after tryouts

 

Dance:

Warm-up - 9:30 am

Tryout - 10:00 am

West Gym

New squad meeting after tryouts

 

 

 

Information for both dance and cheer listed below:


UNI Cheer Squad Tryout Information

 

UNI Cheerleading tryouts are held in April. Tryouts will be held over four days with practice consisting of the first three days of tryouts. Tryout material will be taught over the first three days and cuts may occur depending upon the number of individuals arriving at tryouts. All tryout information will be learned upon arrival. No information will be mailed prior to tryouts and no make-up tryouts will occur. A final/formal tryout will occur the final day of tryouts. The UNI Cheerleading Squad will accept 12-16 members for the co-ed squad, and additional females for the all-female squad.

 

In order to tryout, those interested must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher and must be either a current student at UNI or have been accepted to UNI. One must provide verification of acceptance at tryouts as well as a copy of medical insurance. It is required of those trying out to attend all scheduled tryout practices and cuts.

 

Tryout material will include:

  • UNI Fight Song (lyrics and download audio)

  • Sideline chants

  • Tumbling is highly recommended but not required to tryout. It will be a scored component of tryouts and individuals may tryout with any tumbling equal to or above back handspring level.  We will not be teaching tumbling at tryouts but spots are available to those who need them.

  • All-Female Stunts:

    • Full down from prep or Extension

    • Any alternate body positions can be used as optional stunts.

  • Co-ed Partner Stunts:

    • Pop and Go Extension (as shown in the fight song)

    • Toss Hands, Liberty

    • Any alternate body positions can be used as optional stunts.

 

**Co-ed partner stunts will be demonstrated at tryouts and all individuals will have an opportunity to learn and practice at tryouts. However, it is encouraged that individuals have some experience with stunting prior to tryouts.

 

  • Jumps: Toe touches will be a component of the formal tryout if you are trying out for the all-female squad.

  • Personality interview: The coach and/or advisor will be taking note throughout the tryout process to determine personality of each individual, as well as a small portion of your score will reflect your "overall appearance/presence."

 

Female participants should wear form-fitting dance wear of a solid color for the first three days of tryouts. Male participants should wear shorts or warm-up pants and a t-shirt. Those females who will be participating in the formal tryout on the fourth day must wear a white form-fitting top along with black shorts, pants or capris. Males should wear black shorts and white shirts. In addition, those trying out on the final day should not wear any clothing that may indicate prior cheerleading experience. (i.e. clothes that have a school, team or gym name on them.)

 

UNI Cheerleaders must commit to practices during the summer, cheer camp from August 1-4 (held in Milwaukee, Wis.), practices three times a week during the academic year, performances at all football, volleyball, wrestling, men's and women's basketball games and other required performances as determined by squad.

All members of the UNI Spirit Squads are required to raise money through the Panther Spirit Club to support the financial needs of the squads for travel, uniforms and other expenses.  The amounts will be detailed after tryouts.

UNI Cheer Squad members are not given athletic scholarships and are therefore required to participate in fund-raising and community service events.  For more information or questions pertaining to the information about, e-mail UNISpiritSquad@uni.edu.

 


UNI Dance Team Tryout Information

Tryouts for the UNI Dance Team are held in April. Tryouts will be held over four days with practice being held and cuts being made the first two days, practice only on the third day and a final/formal tryout on the fourth day.

In order to try-out, those interested must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher and must be either a current student at UNI or have been accepted to UNI. One must provide verification of acceptance at try-outs as well as a copy of medical insurance. It is required of those trying out to attend all scheduled tryout practices and cuts.

All paperwork will be filled out and tryout material will be learned upon arrival. Nothing will be mailed or taught in advance. A late or make-up tryout will not be offered.

Dance Team tryouts will consist of a fight song routine, a pom sideline routine, a funk sideline routine and a longer jazz/funk routine. Participants will also be judged on a triple turn (pirouette), leap, grande tours (at least four), flexibility, calypso, disc, optional turn, optional leap and a personality interview. Scores are based on technique, sharpness, energy level, showmanship and overall potential.

Participants should wear form-fitting dance wear of a solid color for the first three days of tryouts. Those who will be participating in the formal tryout on the fourth day must wear a white form-fitting top and black shorts, pants or capris. In addition, those trying out on the final day should not wear any clothing that many indicate prior dance experience. (i.e. clothes that have a school, team or studio name on them.)

Members of the UNI Dance team must commit to practices during the summer (approximately once a month), dance camp from August 1-4 (held in Milwaukee, Wis.), practices three times a week during the academic year, performance at all football, wrestling, men's and women's basketball events as well as participate in qualification and participation in the national competition which takes place over winter break.

All members of the UNI Spirit Squads are required to raise money through the Panther Spirit Club to support the financial needs of the squads for travel, uniforms and other expenses.  The amounts will be detailed after tryouts.

 

Updated 3/24/09

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