2016-2017 Tryouts - April 9-10, 2016
Interested Candidates

Step #1: Apply to the University of Maryland by the Priority Application Deadline (November 1st) of your senior year of high school for the best chance to get into the school. Maryland is extremely competitive academically.

Step #2: E-mail Coach Little to request a tryout application ([email protected] - NOTE that there are TWO L'S in the e-mail address).

Step #3: Complete the tryout application electronically and e-mail it back to Coach Little ASAP.

Step #4: Complete the medical requirements below. VERY IMPORTANT!  You cannot tryout in person without completing these requirements.

  • Complete the medical tryout packet (download here) and either fax or e-mail to the contacts below, along with a copy of the front and back of your insurance card:
    Fax: 1-877-83-2802, Attention: Logan Carmichal & Megan Rogers, Re: Cheer Tryouts
    E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected], Subject: Cheer Tryouts
  • Get a physical within 6 months prior to tryouts (see medical packet for form)
  • Get your sickle cell test RESULTS (see packet for more information)

Step #5: Show up to tryouts scheduled for April 9-10, 2016 and bring your physical, sickle cell test results and your completed medical packet if your haven’t sent them in already.  If you are attending the optional clinic Friday night, you can bring your paperwork then as well.

Can’t make it to tryouts? Video tryouts are available. Contact Coach Little (Email now) before March 15 for details.























Requirements
Medical
All live tryout participants MUST have a complete medical packet, physical within 6 months prior to tryouts, sickle cell test results, and a copy of your insurance card. See medical packet (link) forcomplete details.
  • Documentation, from a physician, of a physical examination within six (6) months prior to tryouts that clears the participant for participation in intercollegiate athletics, AND;
  • Documentation of sickle cell trait status. Tests are typically completed at birth (see pediatrician for results). You can also get the test from your current doctor or the University Health Center (keep in mind that results can take up to 10 days to obtain and you must have the results to tryout), AND;
  • Have proof of valid personal/primary health insurance that provides coverage for intercollegiate athletic participation.
Minimum Skill Requirements
Tryout participants are evaluated on all aspects of cheerleading to include cheer"leading" ability, physical fitness, gymnastics, stunt position, stunt ability, attitude, and performance ability. The minimum gymnastics requirements are as follows:

Female Football Cheerleaders & Men’s Basketball Cheerleaders
A solid standing tuck is required on a basketball court surface.

Female Women’s Basketball Olympic Sports Cheerleaders
A solid standing handspring on a basketball court surface is the MINIMUM is requirement.

Female Nationals Competition Team
All cheerleaders at Maryland participate in sideline cheerleading; however, select game day cheerleaders are chosen to compete at the UCA Collegiate National Champions in Florida. Team members are selected based on stunt position, stunt ability and gymnastics ability.

All Male Cheerleaders
No tumbling experience is required for males, but encouraged. We are willing to teach athletic guys who are willing to learn.

Tryout Eligibility
Tryouts are open to incoming and current University of Maryland undergraduate and graduate students. High school seniors who are not accepted until the spring semester of their freshman year are permitted to try out as long as they are planning to participate in the "Freshman Connection" program for the upcoming fall semester. You do not have to know your acceptance status in order to tryout.

Come To Tryouts
Tryout Date
April 9-10, 2016
Tryout Schedule
See below.

Tryout Location
Xfinity Center Pavilion Gym (located on the ground level)
Terrapin Trail, College Park, MD 20742

Directions
For directions to the Xfinity Center at the University of Maryland, click here.

Parking
Xfinity Center Pavillion Gym
It is recommended that tryout participants park in lot 4b (please abide by signage). Enter the Xfinity Center on the ground level and the gym is on the left. If you get lost in the building, please call coach Little at 202-438-0499.

Tryout Attire/Appearance
Participants should look their best! Female should wear a sports bra and fitted spandex shorts. Females should style hair all the way down or half-up, half-down (curly or straight), and wear performance style make-up; natural colors applied heavily with red lipstick. All tattoos should be fully covered, jewelry removed completely, and nails should be short. Male participants should be well groomed and wear a t-shirt and athletic shorts.

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).
  • All finger nails should be short and safe.
Male Participants
  • Male participants should be well groomed and wear a t-shirt and athletic shorts.
Tryout Schedule

Saturday, April 9, 2016
1:15 pm – 1:30 pm: Check-in
1:30 pm – 1:45 pm: Group Warm-up/stretch
1:45 pm – 3:00 pm: Learn material – dance, cheer, fight song
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm: Stunt instruction / group formation
4:30 pm – 5:15 pm: Tumbling evaluation
5:15 pm – 6:30pm: Open Gym & Interviews
2:45 pm–3:45 pm: Stunts
3:45 pm–4:00 pm: Question and answer / tryout review
4:00 pm–5:00pm: Open tumbling (spring floor)

Sunday, April 10, 2016
9:00 am – 10:00 am: Warm-up
10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Official Tryouts in front of Judges
3:00pm: Tryout results posted at www.marylandcheerleading.com
5:00pm: Mandatory meeting and photo shoot for those that have the team