Requirements

The University of Texas-Pan American Cheer Program
2009-2010 Live and Videotape Tryouts and Score Sheet

All applicants must be accepted to the University prior to tryouts.

Tryout appearance should be “performance ready”.  Please remove all piercings and cover up tattoos.  Females: Hair half-up, with bow, straight or curled.  Wear a black sports bra or tank top and black spandex or athletic shorts.  Males: Hair should be clean-cut and face clean-shaven.  Wear a solid colored shirt and black shorts.

Live Tryouts: Tryouts will be held on April 17, 2009 from 5:00-9:00pm and April 18, 2009 from 9:00am-12:00pm at the Wellness and Recreational Sports Complex on campus.  Participants are required to attend both days. Please bring your cheerleading resume (if you have one), a copy of your health insurance and a current photo of yourself to the first day of tryouts. If you plan to attend tryouts, please email Head Cheer Coach, Misty Brown, at mlbrown@broncs.utpa.edu by April 15, 2009.  Be sure to include your name, and contact phone number.  Also, please note that there will be NO SPRING FLOOR.

Video Tryouts:  Please send your tryout VHS tape/DVD-R, tryout information sheet, cheerleading resume (if you have one), and a current photo of yourself to the Office of Student Development. Your video should be sent NO LATER THAN April 13, 2009. Video tapes not received by April 17, 2009 may not be reviewed. Please send tapes to:

The University of Texas-Pan American
ATTN: Misty Brown
1201 W. University Drive UC 205
Edinburg, TX 78539-2999

At the beginning of your tape, please introduce yourself and indicate which position you are trying out for. See “Tryout Material” for the order and list of skills required for your tape.  At the end of your tape, please include your personal interview answers. The interview questions are listed at the end of the Tryout Information sheet.

DO NOT send any other extra material or clips of your past performances.  DO NOT send any material performed on a spring floor.   Skills performed on a spring floor will NOT be reviewed.

Label the top, the side, and the sleeve of your videotape with your full name, position you are trying out for, your full name, current address, contact phone number, and email address.

All applicants will be notified of their tryout results via email or phone call on April 18th, 2009.

Tryout Material and Score Sheet
May Be Subject To Change

Males:

• Tumbler

  Interview and Appearance

  10 points

  • Cheer: “Make-Some-Noise”

    5 points

  • Jumps Sequence: Pike, Toe Touch, Back Handspring

    5 points

  • Standing Tumbling:

    • Back Tuck

      5 points

    • Standing Pass Ending in a Back Tuck

      5 points

  • Running Tumbling:

    • Optional Pass Ending in a Back Tuck

      10 points

  • Stunts

    • Walk-In Extension

      10 points

• Coed Stunter

  • Interview and Appearance

    10 points

  • Cheer: “Make-Some-Noise”

    5 points

  • Jumps Sequence: Pike, Toe Touch

    5 points

  • Stunts:

    • Toss Extension

      5 points

    • Toss Hands Lib

      10 points

    • Optional Stunt Series (At least 3 stunts with full down)

      10 points

  • Tumbling:

    • Standing Back Handspring

      5 points

**The skills listed are the minimum required; however, you will also be judged on potential. We STRONGLY encourage you to try out even If you have not mastered these skills but you feel that you are capable of mastering them with a little more practice.

**Again, the skills listed are the minimum required. Performing more difficult skills will earn more points.

**You are more than welcome to tryout for both positions (tumbler and stunter).

Females:

• All Females

  • Interview and Appearance

    15 points

  • Cheer: “Make-Some-Noise”

    5 points

  • Jump Sequence: Pike, Toe Touch, Back Handspring

    5 points

  • Standing Tumbling:

    • Back Handspring

      5 points

    • Optional Pass

      5 points

  • Running Tumbling:

    • Optional Pass

      10 points

• Bases

  • Lib with dismount

    5 points

  • Show-and-Go Toss

    5 points

  • Optional Group Stunt: *Points depend on difficulty*

    10 points

  • Optional Girl-Girl Stunt: *Points depend on difficulty*

    10 points

• Flyers

  • Heel Stretch Full Down

    5 points

  • Arabesque Full Down

    5 points

  • Basket Toss: *Points depend on difficulty*

    10 points

  • Optional Stunt Sequence: *Points depend on difficulty*

    10 points

**The skills listed are the minimum required; however, you will also be judged on potential. We STRONGLY encourage you to try out even If you have not mastered these skills but you feel that you are capable of mastering them with a little more practice.

**Flexibility and full downs are required for all flyers.

**You are more than welcome to try out for both positions (flyer or base).

**Again, the skills listed are the minimum required. Performing more difficult skills will earn more points.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

If you are attending live tryouts, the following questions will be asked during your personal interview segment.  If you are submitting a tape, please record your answers to the following questions at the end of your tape.

Please answer the following questions truthfully and thoroughly.

1. What is your full name and nickname?
2. Tell us about your cheerleading background.
3. What assets can you bring to this program personally and athletically?
4. What are your educational goals?
5. Discuss any additional activities that you are a part of and prioritize them briefly.
6. Which three words would your family and friends use to describe you?