2012-2013 University of Maryland Cheerleading Tryouts

SPRING TRYOUTS - May 4-6, 2012 - (for the 2012-2013 Team) - Last Updated 11/20/2011

TRYOUT REGISTRATION PROCESS

STEP 1: Request a tryout application from Head Coach, Jamie Little, via e-mail- [email protected] (please note that there are back-to-back L’s in the e-mail address).

STEP 2: Complete the 2012-2013 Tryout application and e-mail it to Head Coach, Jamie Little, at [email protected] (please note that there are back-to-back L’s in the e-mail address).
 
STEP 3: Send a follow up e-mail to confirm that your application has been received.  If you do not receive a response, please call Jamie Little at: 202-438-0499.

STEP 4: Get a physical and obtain your sickle cell test results.  You MUST have physical documentation from the last 6 months and your sickle cell results in order to try out.  Please CLICK HERE for details regarding the physicals and sickle cell tests.

STEP 5: Report to the clinic on the May 4^th OR tryouts on the May 5^th to turn in your physical test results and to check in to tryouts.

TRYOUTDATES & TIMES (May 4^th, 5^th, 6^th, 2012)

Spring Tryouts Day #1 - Friday, 5/4/12 (Optional Clinic)

Spring Tryouts Day #2 – Saturday, 5/5/2012

Spring Tryouts Day #3 – Sunday, 5/6/12

**PHYSICAL EXAM / SICKLE CELL TEST REQUIREMENT**
All tryout participants MUST have the following documentation by TRYOUT, DAY # 2 in order to participate in tryouts.

• Documentation from a physician of a physical examination within the last six (6) months that clears the participant for participation in intercollegiate athletics, AND;
• Documentation of sickle cell trait status.  Tests are typically obtained at birth (see pediatrician) or tests can be obtained from the University Health Center, AND;
• Have proof of valid personal /primary health insurance that provides coverage for intercollegiate athletic participation.
  

TRYOUT LOCATION

University of Maryland
Pavilion (Auxiliary Gym of the Comcast Center, located on the ground level)
Terrapin Trail
College Park, MD 20742

For directions to the Comcast Center at the University of Maryland, please visit: http://umterps.cstv.com/travel/comcast-directions.html

PARKING

The closest parking lot to the Auxiliary Gym is lot 4b. Parking is free without a permit after 4:00pm on weekdays and all day on weekends.  Enter the Comcast Center on the ground level and the auxiliary gym is the first door on the left side.

TRYOUT ELIGIBILITY

Tryouts are open to potential 2012-2013 University of Maryland undergraduate or graduate students.  Students who are accepted for spring 2013 are permitted to try out as long as they are planning to participate in the "Freshman Connection" program for the first semester.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Positions are available for:

o    Female bases

o    Female flyers

o    Males - Experience and tumbling is not necessary for males, but encouraged.  Willing to teach athletic guys willing to learn.

o    Gymnasts (male and female) - Elite gymnasts that may or may not have cheerleading experience, with tumbling passes through to a full twisting layout or above on a regular cheer mat.  

REQUIREMENTS / SCORING ELEMENTS

Tryouts participants will be judged on the following elements:

§  Confidence, Spirit and Enthusiasm

§  Cheer”Leading” Ability

§  Standing Gymnastics

§  Running Gymnastics

§  Fight Song Routine

§  Dance

§  Triple Jump

§  Stunt – Co-ed or All-girl

§  Physical Fitness

§  Collegiate Appearance

TRYOUT ATTIRE/APPEARANCE

Participants should look their best!

FEMALE PARTICIPANTS

• All female participants are expected to wear a sports bra and cheer shorts or fitted spandex shorts.  Hair should be styled and worn all the way down or half-up, half-down. 
• Participants can feel free to pick a style (curly or straight) that best suits them. 
• Female participants should wear performance style make-up (foundation, powder, blush, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, etc.) Avoid all-star style glitter and metallic make-up.  Make-up should be natural colors applied heavily with red lipstick.
• All tattoos should be fully covered.
• All jewelry must be removed (covering piercings with tape is not acceptable) and all finger nails should short and safe.

MALE PARTICIPANTS

• Male participants should be well groomed and wear a t-shirt and athletic shorts.

TRYOUT PREPARATION TIPS

TRYOUT TIP #1: Skills (gymnastics, stunting, etc.) are very important to being a Maryland Cheerleader, as with any college program; however, being a good cheer"leader" is also very important.  We look for people that have the whole package; therefore, tryout participants should make sure that their motions and presence are strong.

TRYOUT TIP #2: It's strongly recommended that tryout participants attend a College Prep Clinic hosted by the University of Maryland Cheerleaders.  The tryout material (dance, fight song, cheer, etc.) will be taught at the clinic, therefore, all of the participants that attend the clinic will have several months to practice the material before live tryouts.

TRYOUT TIP #3: Be in exceptional physical shape (you should be running, weight training, etc. prior to tryouts).

TRYOUT TIP #4: Be prepared to throw your tumbling on a regular cheer mat.  The Maryland Cheerleaders cheer on grass and gym floor, in addition, the NCA College National Championship is on a regular cheer floor.  Therefore, the skills that you can do on a spring floor are no longer relevant in college.  Please be mentally prepared for that change.

VIDEO TRYOUT INFORMATION

It is strongly recommended that participants tryout in person; however, video tryouts are acceptable in certain situations.  Video tryouts must be postmarked 14 calendar days prior to the live tryouts.  If you need to tryout by video, please contact Head Coach, Jamie Little, at [email protected] (please note that there are back-to-back L’s in the e-mail address) for instructions.