Everyone wants the chance to support their Alma Mater by standing on the sidelines and cheering loudly. For those who are interested in taking that enthusiasm to the next level, the good news is that anyone can be a cheerleader in college, even if they do not have loads of experience.
Depending upon the institution an individual elects to attend, the opportunity to become a cheerleader or member of a spirit squad exists, regardless of skill level.
Some athletes train for years to participate in the sport of cheerleading. Those people usually try to matriculate to one of the Division I Universities. Others may have some cheerleading and dance experience, so they might be interested in looking into what Division II schools offer.
But for the people in the crowd who have always been filled with the spirit, but not been on a squad previously, they should breathe a sigh of relief, because they have not missed their chance. Almost anyone can be a member of a cheerleading, dance, or spirit squad, if they decide to attend a Division III college or university.
At schools like the Ohio State University and the University of Florida at Gainesville, it is very tough to make a cheer team without having some sort of experience. Becoming a part of these programs is just as competitive as getting onto one of the other athletic teams. Interested recruits must complete a questionnaire.
Within that file, potential cheer candidates must disclose information as to where they have trained and competed in the past. They must also provide links to their social media accounts and showcase their skills on a highlights video. That all happens before the recruit even participates in a tryout.
Best Places to Tryout
For those who want to be a part of a cheer program, but they have a very basic understanding of the sport, it would be wise to investigate Division II schools. These institutions tend to be inventive with their approach to cheerleading and so they are looking for individuals who are unique and willing to try something new.
While the process of getting onto one of these teams will not be nearly as rigorous as one would find at a Division I school, applicants can still anticipate being asked to show off the skills they may already possess. Tryouts are generally held in April or early May.
Recruits will need to complete an evaluation, as well as demonstrate their cheerleading potential. While no minimum skills may be required, the applicant’s ability to stunt and tumble will weigh heavily in the judgment process. Jumping is not as popular as it once was, so it may not even be considered by the panel.
Sometimes, when an applicant is very skilled, they can test-out of the tryout. This only happens in extreme cases, when an athlete can demonstrate exceptional mastery of tumbling and base or flyer skills. At Division II schools like Lake Erie College and West Texas A & M, distinctive cheerleading opportunities abound.
Sometimes schools have one squad of cheerleaders, but at these Division II schools there may be multiple. These teams can appear in the forms of competitive squads, sidelines cheerleaders, or even spirit squads that are a mix of cheerleaders and dancers.
The chance to be a member of a cheerleading squad in college without bringing a bevy of experience to the table is most realistic for student-athletes who are attending Division III schools. While these institutions do hold their own tryouts in April or early May, they do not place too many demands on their applicants.
Prospective cheerleaders must attend the school, have a respectable grade report, be in physical shape, be committed to attending all games and scheduled practices, and they must be filled with enthusiasm and pride in their school. For those with little experience in this arena, that is a small number of requirements for a cheerleader to pay to be placed on a squad.
Division III schools still ask their recruits to audition or tryout for a spot on the team, but stunting and base or flyer abilities are not always part of the requirements. At Division III colleges and universities, cheerleading applicants must demonstrate their ability to lead a crowd in cheers and chants, while also showing off their quality, volume, and tone of their voice.
Eagerness and pep figure greatly into the process, as well as dedication to the squad and the school. Division III schools like Heidelberg University and Adrian College want their cheerleaders to be able to entertain the fans from their spot on the sidelines while also being a part of school-sponsored events.
What Can You Do to Make a College Team With No Experience?
The first step to making a college cheer squad, whether the petitioner has experience or not, is figuring out the requirements that are stipulated by the organization. It will be next to impossible for those without experience to make a squad at a Division I or Division II school, but if someone is committed, they will need to get the list of requirements and start training.
It may be helpful to hire a coach or employ a friend to help obtain some of the featured skills like completing a back handspring or doing a proper one-handed dismount.
If the cheerleader-to-be happens to be attending a Division III school, the first thing they should do is figure out when the tryouts will be held. They must make a direct inquiry of the adviser because the dates can change, and websites or social media handles are not always updated with regularity.
Once the interested person has reached out to the coach, they will want to start getting into shape. Even if the college team does not require every cheerleader to stunt, jump, or tumble, they will ask the cheerleader to be full of energy throughout an entire sporting event.
Football games and basketball games can last for hours, and cheerleaders cannot be gasping for breath every few minutes. They must be able to be on their toes and ready to go throughout the entire competition. The best way to train is to start doing some aerobic-style exercise. Running, jogging, stepping, and dancing are all great ways to get in shape before joining a cheer squad.
What Experience Do You Need to be a Cheerleader?
The answer to this question depends upon the kind of cheerleader a person wishes to be. If the interested person wants to cheer for a Division I or Division II school, they really should have been part of a squad for several years before applying for this new post.
These schools often expect their squad members to bring a particular set of skills like tumbling with them. For those without cheerleading experience, they will be welcome at most Division III colleges and universities. These people should come with a positive attitude, and a smile fixed in place, ready to take direction and learn.
Can I be a Cheerleader if I’m not Flexible?
While all athletes should be able to flex and bend to some extent, fully developing this skill is not necessarily required of cheerleaders. It is much easier to complete some cheer-related tasks if a person can contort their body in a painless manner, but it is not an absolute requirement.
While most flyers will need to be flexible and limber, bases and other members of cheer squads will be expected to be stronger and toned. Those group members must be able to lift, toss, and catch other members of the squad, so having strong muscles and an impeccable sense of timing will be appreciated on most squads.
For those looking to enter the world of cheerleading, building flexibility should be done as a matter of safety. The more flexible an individual is, regardless of the sport, the less likely they are to incur injuries. Becoming more flexible will inevitably help the person looking to become a cheerleader avoid injuries.
When Should I Start Preparing for Cheerleading Tryouts?
If someone is interested in trying out for a cheerleading squad, they should start training early. As soon as the inspiration to join the squad strikes, possible cheerleaders should begin their journey. Focusing on building aerobic endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility will all aid the athlete as they embark on this endeavor.
Doing yoga or Pilates regularly can help those who want to become more flexible. Lifting weights and jogging may aid those who want to focus on becoming more physically fit. Then, student-athletes should start looking for announcements about cheerleading tryouts or auditions to surface near the end of March or the beginning of April.
There may not be a grand announcement or a long interval between the announcement and the tryout itself, so prospective cheerleaders should stay on top of the matter by engaging actively with other cheerleaders and the coach or adviser around this time of the year.
