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Q. What is the
difference between the “Spirit Squad” and “Competitive
Cheer?”
A.
The University of Maryland has 2 cheerleading programs: “Spirit Squad” and
“Competitive Cheer.” There are 5 major differences between the Spirit Squad and
the Competitive Cheer team:
PRIMARY FOCUS
The
primary focus and objective of the Spirit Squad is to support the University of
Maryland athletics by cheering for both football and basketball games. The
Spirit Squad does compete at the NCA Collegiate National Cheerleading
Championship, however, it is not mandatory since competing is not the main
objective of the Spirit Squad. The primary focus of the competitive cheer team
is strictly to compete. The Competitive Cheer team does not cheer at games.
The Competitive Cheer team competes at various local, regional, and national
competitions throughout their season.
CO-ED VS
ALL-GIRL
The Spirit Squad is compromised of both male and female members.
When stunting, they have both co-ed and all-girl stunt groups. Positions are
available for males, bases, backspots, and flyers. The competitive team is
compromised of only females (bases, backspots, and flyers).
TRYOUTS VS
RECRUITMENT
The Spirit Squad holds tryouts in the spring for the
following year. The Competitive team is selected through a recruitment process.
In order to apply for recruitment, you must meet the minimum gymnastics
requirements, complete an application and video, and submit them to the
University of Maryland Competitive Cheer program.
GYMNASTICS
Since
competing is its main focus, the gymnastics requirements of the competitive
cheer team are more advanced than those of the Spirit Squad. In order to be
considered for competitive team recruitment, potential athletes must have at
least a round-off handspring full twisting layout and a tripple toe-touch to
standing tuck.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Since
the University recognizes the Competitive Cheer Team official varsity sport,
both full and partial scholarships are available to selected members. The
Spirit Squad only offers book scholarships to selected team
members.
Q. Can I be on
both the Spirit Squad and the Competitive Cheer Team?
A. No, the extensive schedules for
both of these teams prohibits any members from participating on more than one of
the teams. However, the Spirit Squad does compete at the NCA Collegiate
National Championship, therefore, the Spirit Squad is an ideal team for those
participants that enjoy cheering games but still like to
compete.
Q. Can I
tryout for both the Spirit Squad and the Competitive Cheer
Team?
A.
Yes, the competitive team will complete their recruitment process prior to the
Spirit Squad tryouts in the Spring. Therefore, if you are not selected for the
competition team, you will be permitted to tryout for the Spirit
Squad.
Q. If I send
in a video to the Competition Team, will the Spirit Squad coaches see my video
too?
A. No,
if you would like the Spirit Squad coaches to see a video of your skills, you
should send an additional tape directly to the Spirit Squad coaches. Send a
tape of your skills (standing tumbling, running tumbling, stunt, jumps, sample
stunt and cheer) to:
University of Maryland Spirit
Squad
Jamie Little
524 Casey Lane
Rockville, MD 20850
Q. What is the
difference between co-ed and all-girl on the Spirit
Squad?
A.
The University of Maryland Spirit Squad program consists of both all-girl and
co-ed team members that work together cohesively as one team. There is no
status difference between all-girl and co-ed team members. The only difference
between the members is that the “all-girl” members partner stunt with female
bases and female flyers, and the “co-ed” members partner stunt with male bases
and female flyers.
Q. Do I have
to learn how to co-ed stunt to be a part of Spirit Squad?
A. No, as mentioned above, both
co-ed and all-girl positions are available on the Spirit
Squad.
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