Tryout Information

2013 TRYOUT DATE SATURDAY MAY 11th, 2013 FOR CHEERLEADING & MASCOTS

 

All candidates must submit a completed tryout packet to the TTU Cheerleading program before trying out for one of the potential positions. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN TRYOUTS WITHOUT A COMPLETED PACKET.  Please mail packet in to the following address:

TTU Fitness Center
ATTN: Robin Burroughs
PO Box 5107
Cookeville, TN 38505 

The Tryout packet must contain the following materials:

Packet Checklist:

  1. Completed medical forms, application and information sheet
  2. Copy of your current insurance card
  3. $20 processing fee (make checks payable to TTU Cheerleading)
  4. One head to toe color photo of recruit, and one color head shot (these will not be returned)
  5. One letter of recommendation sent from current or most recent cheer/dance coach)
  6. Freshman and / or transfers: high school or previous college transcript and fall class schedule if available
  7. Current TTU students transcript as well as fall schedule
  8. Physical performed by a physician of your choice using a standard physical form that your physician should have for other sports

Returners: your tryout packet will only need to contain numbers 1,2,3,4,7, & 8.

Click here for the Tryout Schedule.

Listed below are the requirements for the 2013-2014 TTU Varsity Cheerleading Squad. Please work hard to master all of the following skills in order to be a competitive applicant for the 2013-2014 tryouts. 

CONTENTS
SECTION 1: Introduction
SECTION 2: Selection process
SECTION 3: Video Tryout Information
SECTION 4: Contact Information
SECTION 5: Tryout Packet Information
SECTION 6: Frequently asked Questions
SECTION 7: MASCOT TRYOUT INFORMATION

I. Squad Tryout Information

Small Coed Squad
(Small Co-ed – primarily composed of 6-8 males &6-8 females that will coed stunt & 8 females that will perform all girl stunts)
Squad members primarily cheer at home football games, combination of women's & men's home basketball games, and 16 will compete in a nationals competition at the end of the season. The squad also travels to selected away football games and basketball tournaments. The  squad also makes numerous appearances throughout the season.

 

II. Selection Process

The TTU Cheerleading program will host a one day tryout session. This tryout will assess the abilities, leadership skills and the potential of candidates for a position on one of the TTU Cheerleading squad.

Actual attendance by candidates at the tryout sessions is highly recommended; however persons who cannot attend the tryout sessions (and have contacted Robin about this option) may submit a videotape for consideration. All videos must be submitted before the end of the scheduled tryout session and follow the format listed below:

All video submissions must:

Notification of Selection
The numbers of the persons selected for the TTU Cheerleaders will be posted on Saturday one hour after tryouts have been completed online at www.tntech.edu/varsitycheer . Those candidates that make one of the TTU Cheerleading squads will be asked to remain for a practice on Sunday May 12th, 2013 from 8am-11am.


Minimum Qualifications for tryouts
Candidates wishing to tryout for the position on the TTU Cheerleading squad must meet the following minimum qualifications:

  1. If an incoming freshman or transfer student has completed the regular admissions application process before the posted deadlines
  2. Have an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher and / or high school or previous semester grade of 2.0 GPA.
  3. Not be on disciplinary problem
  4. Have sufficient physical fitness, strength, and athletic skills to perform the cheerleading activities described below
  5. Have health/hospitalization insurance in an amount comparable to the minimum coverage offered through the University’s student insurance program.
  6. Have completed tryout packet as described below in the tryout packet session

Selection Criteria
Candidates will be chosen on the following criteria:
Characteristics:

Skills: (mastery)

CO-ED Squad
Standing Back Tuck (male & female)
Back handspring back tuck (female only)

RUNNING TUMBLING
Round off tuck
Optional Tumble Pass

STUNTS
(coed)
Chair
Toss hands
Toss shoulder stand
Toss extension full down
Toss liberty
Hands or Toss Stretch
Optional stunt choosing from the following: walk in extension, backhandspring extension, optional toss stunt (arabesque, cubie, scale, etc.)

STUNTS
(all girl)
Ground up extension
Toss extension, Liberty, stretch
2 man liberty
Fliers: body positions-liberty, heel stretch, scale, scorpion, full down from all

FIGHT SONG
Includes a standing tuck & Toe Touch

 

CHANT
Includes a back tuck

Candidates will be chosen by a committee of judges

Candidates will be evaluated on the characteristics and skills listed above in addition to the ability to remember routines as well as have the athletic physique appropriate for the required activities.

Interviews with all candidates will be done prior to the skills assessment and will be conducted by the TTU Cheerleading Coach as well as the judging commitee. An average of these scores will be the candidates overall score

III. Video Tryout Requirements

ALL VIDEOS SUBMITTED MUST HAVE PRIOR PERMISSION FROM THE TTU 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 standing tumble, running tumble and stunt skills
  3. Perform a chant of your choice which includes a standing tuck & a toe touch
  4. Interview question / topics to answer / discuss at the end of your tryout video-DO NOT SUBMIT ON PAPER
    1. Why do you want to become a TTU Cheerleader?
    2. What do you have to offer the program and the university?
    3. Pick two traits from the characteristics listed in the member selection portion that best describe you and why?
    4. Rank the following items, beginning with the most important and explain your reasoning:
      1. Academics
      2. Being a university ambassador
      3. Extra curricular activities (sororities, fraternities, clubs, etc.)
      4. Competitions
      5. Supporting athletics at TTU

ALL VIDEOS MUST BE AT THE UNIVERSITY NO LATER THAN MONDAY MAY 6TH, 2013.   VIDEO SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE PREVIEWED PRIOR TO TRYOUTS THEY WILL BE PLAYED ON SATURDAY DURING THE TRYOUT SESSION.

IV. Contact Information

Telephone:

Mail:
Robin Burroughs
TTU Cheerleading Coach
Tennessee Tech Fitness Center
PO Box 5107
Cookeville, TN 38505

Internet:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

V. Tryout Packet Information

Packet Information

All candidates must submit a completed tryout packet to the TTU Cheerleading program before trying out for one of the potential positions. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN TRYOUTS WITHOUT A COMPLETED PACKET.

Tryout packet content checklist:

  1. Completed medical forms, application and information sheet
  2. Copy of insurance card
  3. $20 processing fee (make checks payable to TTU Cheerleading)
  4. One head to toe color photo of recruit, and one color head shot (these will not be returned)
  5. One letter of recommendation sent from current or most recent cheer/dance coach)
  6. Freshman and / or transfers: high school or previous college transcript and fall class schedule if available
  7. Current TTU students transcript as well as fall schedule
  8. Physical performed by a physician of your choice

VI. Frequently Asked Questions

  1. When & where are tryouts?
    Tryouts will be held at the Tennessee Tech Fitness Center on May 5th, 2012
  2. When is my tryout packet and or video due?
    Ideally we would like to have your tryout packet into our office by no later than Monday May 6th, 2013  however we understand that things happen so please contact Robin if additional time is needed to get your packet in.
  3. Do you offer scholarships?
    Yes, partial scholarships are offered to a number of members on the Small coed squad.   These scholarships are in the form of housing or cash. For the 2013-14 season we were able to offer either $600 toward campus housing or $250 cash scholarships per semester. We are continuing to grow our scholarship program and look forward to being able to increase our scholarships each year.
  4. Do you need an invitation to tryout at TTU?
    No, invitations are not required to tryout.
  5. What are practices like?
    Practices are conducted by Robin Burroughs the TTU Cheerleading Coach & assistant coach JC Henry and are held at the TTU Fitness Center. Practice sessions are broken down to include tumbling skills, partner stunting skills, and pyramids.
  6. What do I wear to tryout sessions?
    Females:
    • Form fitting tank top of any color
    • Shorts
    • Hair must be in a ponytail (you can wear a ribbon but it must be 1 inch thick and any color is fine)
    •  *Game day make up
    Males:
    • T-shirt with sleeves -no logos
    • Shorts
  7. All
    • NO Jewelry
    • NO logos from high schools, previous cheerleading, or TTU
  8. What time should I show up for tryout sessions?
    We recommend that everyone arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled session.
  9. 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.
  10. Are tryouts open to the public?
    No, only individuals who are attending tryouts are allowed.
  11. Do I need to have a physical completed by a physician?
    Yes, a physical will need to have a physical completed and included in the tryout packet. We want to make certain that you are physical able to perform the necessary skills needed for tryouts. Please also include a copy of your insurance card.
  12. How many hours per week will the team practice?
    The team will practice 3 days per week this year.  2 days will be devoted to game day material, partner stunting, and pyramids and day 3 will be devoted to tumble and conditioning.

If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact Robin @ 931-372-3918 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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

Schedule of Events

8am:                                         Check in
8:15am-8:45am:                       Stretch/divide into groups
8:45am-9:15am:                       Sideline Chant
9:15am-10:00am:                     Stunt Session 1
10:00am-11am:                        Fight Song/tumble station
11am-12pm:                              Lunch / interviews
12pm-1pm:                                Stretch/review fight song & chant
1pm-2pm:                                   Stunt & tumble stations
2pm-3pm:                                   Fight song & chant evaluations
3pm-4pm:                                   Running Tumble & stunt evaluations

Teams will be posted online at www.tntech.edu/varsitycheer by 7pm.

VII.  MASCOT TRYOUT INFORMATION

All individuals wishing to tryout for the mascot of Tennessee Tech "Awesome Eagle" and or crew (Grandpappy, or a nest keeper) need to report to the    Tennessee Tech Fitness Center on April 25th @ 4pm / May 4th at 12pm.  Once you arrive at the Fitness Center you will have a meeting that will give you instructions regarding the tryout schedule.  The height requirement for all characters is between 5 feet 7 inches and 6 feet 5 inches.  Each individual will need to bring with them to tryouts the following items:

1.  Mascot Tryout packet: the information that needs to be in the tryout packet is the same information that is in the cheerleader tryout packet.
2.  A 1 minute family appropriate mascot skit: this skit needs to include a minimum of 3 props and a max of 5 props.  Music & signs are optional but  strongly suggested. Signs do not count as props.  One prop must be used as an improv prop (example: broom is used as guitar)
3.  Individuals trying out will also be asked to act out an actual scenerio that would possibly occur while they are in the mascot suit during a game, appearance, event, etc. You will not know what this scenerio will be until you are asked to perform it.

Those individuals making the team will be asked to stay that afternoon for a short meeting after tryouts.