VARSITY CHEERLEADING TRYOUT INFORMATION

THE FIRST PRACTICE FOR THE 2008-2009 SQUAD IS REQUIRED FOR ALL CHEERLEADERS ON BOTH ALL GIRL & CO-ED & IS SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY JUNE 2ND FROM 9AM-12PM
ALL GIRL & 12PM-3PM COED.

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

I. Squad Tryout Information

Gold Squad Definition
(Co-ed – primarily composed of 8 males & 8 females)
The gold squad members primarily cheer at home football games, men's home basketball games, and compete in a nationals competition at the end of the season. The squad also travels to selected away football games and basketball tournaments. The gold squad also makes numerous appearances throughout the season.

Purple Squad Definition
(All girl-primarily composed of 12-14 girls)
The purple squad members primarily cheer at home football games, women's basketball games, makes numerous appearances throughout the season and will compete in a nationals competition at the end of the season.

II. Selection Process
The TTU Cheerleading program will host a two-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 squads.
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:

• Follow the format and be accompanied by a completed tryout packet
• All videos received for consideration as their final tryout (they will not be able to physically attend the scheduled tryout)
• Must be received no later than Friday May 23rd, 2008

Notification of Selection
The numbers of the persons selected for the TTU Cheerleaders will be posted at the Sunday session one hour after tryouts have been completed. Those candidates that make one of the TTU Cheerleading squads will be asked to remain for a short meeting.

Minimum Qualifications for tryouts
Candidates wishing to tryout for the position on the TTU Cheerleading squads 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:

• Strong Leadership qualities
• Confidence
• Independence
• Enthusiasm
• Charismatic presence
• Personality
• Voice
• Ability to involve the crowd

Skills: (mastery)
CO-ED Squad (Gold squad)

1. STANDING TUMBLING
Back hand spring
Standing tuck

2. RUNNING TUMBLING
Back hand spring tuck
Bonus points: layout (3) full (5)

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

4. FIGHT SONG
Includes a standing back handspring (females only)

5. CHEER
Includes a toe touch and a back tuck (females required, males recommended)

6. DANCE
Females only

ALL GIRL (Purple Squad)

1. STANDING TUMBLE
Standing back hand spring
Toe touch back hand spring

2. RUNNING TUMBLE
Series back hand springs (2 or more)
Back hand spring back tuck (preferred)

3. STUNTS
Extension full down
Liberty
Heel stretch
Arabesque
Candidates may tryout as a base, back, or flyer and will be judged accordingly

4. FIGHT SONG
Includes a standing back hand spring

5. CHEER
Includes a toe touch and a back hand spring

6. DANCE


Candidates will be chosen by three out of state 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 three additional judges. An average of these four scores will be the candidates overall interview 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 cheer of your choice which includes a standing tuck & a toe touch (co-ed) or standing hand spring & toe touch (all girl)
4. Perform a chant of your choice
5. Perform a dance of your choice (at least 5-8 counts)
6. Interview question / topics to answer / discuss at the end of your tryout video-DO NOT SUBMIT ON PAPER

• Why do you want to become a TTU Cheerleader?
• What do you have to offer the program and the university?
• Pick two traits from the characteristics listed in the member selection portion that best describe you and why?
• Rank the following items, beginning with the most important and explain your reasoning:
• Academics
• Being a university ambassador
• Extra curricular activities (sororities, fraternities, clubs, etc.)
• Competitions
• Supporting athletics at TTU

ALL VIDEOS MUST BE AT THE UNIVERSITY NO LATER THAN FRIDAY MAY23rd. VIDEO SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE PREVIEWED PRIOR TO TRYOUTS THEY WILL BE PLAYED ON SUNDAY DURING THE TRYOUT SESSION.

IV. Contact Information

Telephone:
Robin Burroughs office #: 931-372-3918
Robin’s Cell #: 931-261-2074
Fitness Center office: 931-372-6211

Mail:
Robin Burroughs
TTU Cheerleading Coach
Tennessee Tech Fitness Center
PO Box 5107
Cookeville, TN 38503

Internet:
rburroughs@tntech.edu

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 and application/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 Power Athletics Cheerleading Academy (training center for the TTU Cheerleaders) on May 31st-June 1st.
   
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 May 23rd, 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 members of the Gold Co-ed squad. These scholarships are in the form of housing or cash. For the 2007-2008 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. We were also able to give the all girl participants living in campus housing the $600 per semester of housing.
   
4. Do you need an invitation to tryout at TTU?
   No, invitations are not required to tryout.
   
5. Can I tryout for both squads?
   Yes, if you choose to tryout for the gold co-ed squad and get cut the 1 st day you may return to tryout for the purple squad instead. Please indicate on your information squad if you are interested in only the co-ed squad or both.
   
6. What are practices like?
   Practices are conducted by Robin Burroughs the TTU Cheerleading Coach and are held at the TTU Fitness Center. Practice sessions are broken down to include tumbling skills, partner stunting skills, and pyramids. Competition squad practices will be conducted at different times than the squad practices. Both Co-ed and all girl squad practices will be held at different times throughout the week.
   
7. What do I wear to tryout sessions?
   Females:
   * Sports bra (white, black or grey) sunday only
   * Shorts (grey or black)
   * Hair must be in a ponytail (if you wish to wear a ribbon it must be 1’ and white) * *Game day make up sunday only
   Males:
   * T-shirt with sleeves (black, white, or grey)
   * Shorts (black or grey)
   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 sessions.
   
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. When are practices held?
    Gold squad (co-ed)
    Every Tuesday 11am-1pm (fitness center)
    
    Purple squad (all girl)
    Every Thursday 11am-1pm (fitness center)
    

If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact
Robin @ 931-372-3918 or rburroughs@tntech.edu

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

The Dance, Fight song, Cheer, Standing tumble & Running tumble
passes will be performed in groups of 3 participants.

The stunt portion of the tryout will be held in a practice type format. The judges will be walking around and evaluating the stunts. This will give cheerleaders the opportunity to warm up their stunts and perform them when they are ready. This will also help our guys trying out to stay fresh for all participants who are trying out. The judges may also ask that you stunt with a person of their choice.

The stunts will be done in sessions as follows:

• #1 session: co-ed chair, toss shoulder stand, toss hands, toss extension, extension full down
• #2 session: all girl stunts
• #3 session: co-ed upper level stunts
• #4 session: all girl upper level (if needed)

All results will be posted no later than 6:30 pm on the front door of the Fitness Center. A mandatory meeting will be held at the Fitness Center at 7 pm on Sunday, June 1st for all participants who make the TTU cheerleading squad.