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2022-23 Saint Louis Cheerleading Tryouts

 
SLU CHEERLEADERS
Important Links
- Tryout Application
- Tryout Medical Packet
- Risk & Release Form

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2022 TRYOUT PREP CLINIC (Optional)
The tryout prep clinic is held exclusively for interested high school seniors and college cheerleaders to get a better idea of what we look for in choosing participants for our team. This clinic is not mandatory, and a fee is charged, however it is the best preparation you can have in approaching SLU Cheer Tryouts. Attendance is also beneficial to answer all questions as it is the only scheduled time set aside to meet and talk with the coaches. At this clinic, participants will review (not learn) the tryout material emailed the previous week. Please arrive 30 minutes early to check in.

    Date: Saturday, April 2 | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
    Location: Chaifetz Arena Pavilion, Chaifetz Arena VIP Entrance 
    Additional Info & Mandatory Registration: Please e-mail shannon.wylie@slu.edu for registration information.
 

2022-23 SLU CHEERLEADING TRYOUTS
Date: April 30
Day & Time: Saturday, 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Location: Chaifetz Arena Pavilion 
Video Tryout: A video tryout will only be allowed for those who are more than 4 hours away. Video tryouts will be due Friday, April 29, by midnight. 
Additional Info COMING SOON!
 

HOW TO PREPARE FOR SLU CHEERLEADING TRYOUTS
The SLU Cheerleaders encompass well-rounded individuals of both good character and game day cheer ability. Due to their high visibility within our community, we are looking for those who best represent the University in a positive way. How well you work with our coaches and each other and receive correction will be highly considered at tryouts. In support of SLU athletic games and other appearances, commitment to a full year of participation is absolutely mandatory. Our active year begins in April with tryouts and resumes at the beginning of August for camp in preparation for the fall season. Games begin in September, and the season concludes the following April. The SLU cheerleaders support Billiken athletics by cheering at soccer and basketball games. In addition, they participate in pep rallies and special appearances, including community service activities, alumni events, civic events, and charitable events in the St. Louis area.
 
Motions: If you do not cheer on a high school squad and you are on a competitive team only, you may consider getting a private coach to assist you with "game day" cheerleading. Being talented is important, but you must also know how to "lead a crowd" and cheer in front of fans, not just judges. Yelling loud with natural collegiate cheering expressions, sharp motions and proper motion placement is very important.

Tumbling: A clean, consistent standing handspring is required to try out for the team. Increased-level additional standing and running tumbling may increase your chances of making the team. You may be asked to perform tumbling on the basketball wood court in addition to a cheer mat. 

Stunts: Local cheer gyms and college squads are good resources for private coed and all-girl collegiate stunt lessons. The minimum for Coed is a shoulder stand and/or chair, while working up to a toss hands. The minimum for All-Girl is liberty, pop off. At clinics and tryouts, All-Girl bases will learn and perform shoulder stands in preparation for collegiate-level game day pyramids. Being able to stunt with multiple stunt partners/groups is a necessity. When we are choosing teams, we consider who is easy to work with and can be used in different groups – this shows us that you know proper technique and can work well with anyone. We also consider if candidates can easily make corrections. At tryouts, we ask that you stunt with the group you marked having the MOST experience on your application, however, you may be asked to move around.

Other: While talent is important, it is not the only factor to be considered. We are also looking for those who exude strong leadership qualities, confidence, hard work ethic, willingness to try new things, good response to correction, positivity, respect for everyone, voice inflection, and ability to engage an audience.

We do not have a weight or height restriction as size ranges fluctuate from year to year, however, candidates must possess sufficient physical fitness and proper training to execute all required skills.

Attending our spring tryout prep clinic is helpful as you will gain an inside perspective on our tryout process. It is also a good idea to attend one of our games to see our cheerleaders in action, and to follow us on all our social media platforms. All portions of tryouts are closed to the public. Evaluators may consist of the coaches, athletic department staff members, and alumni. The purpose of the tryout is to choose the best all-around representatives for SLU cheer and athletics.

For more information regarding SLU Cheerleading, contact the Head Coach, Shannon Maruyama: shannon.wylie@slu.edu.
 

APPLICATION TO TRY OUT
Each participant must be a full-time SLU student, a transfer student, or an incoming freshman with proof of acceptance to SLU. 
The following must be received the MONDAY (April 25) prior to tryouts.
  1. Copy of insurance card (front and back)
  2. Copy of physical examination completed by physician within the past 12 months
  3. Participation medical forms (see link above)
E-mail to: Jonathan.burch@slu.edu
Subject – CHEER TRYOUTS 2022
 
Returning Members: Complete medical forms and upload current insurance information in SportsWare.
 
The following must be received the MONDAY (April 25) prior to tryouts:
SLU Spirit Squad Application (if under 18 must be signed by guardian)
  1. Tryout application (see link above)
  2. Expectations form (found in tryout application)
  3. Officer form (*returners only) (found in tryout application)
  4. Risk and Release form (see link above)
  5. 2 CURRENT photos of yourself (see application for more info)
  6. Tryout fee - $50 for new members / $25 for returning members – check made payable to Saint Louis University (memo – SLU CHEER TRYOUTS)
  7. Proof of grades* / admissions**
* Those currently enrolled at SLU must include unofficial transcript.

** Freshmen or transfer students must be in the process of admission to SLU prior to tryouts. We ask that you provide your status of admission to the University with a copy of your letter of acceptance or correspondence showing that you are on the waitlist.
  • If you are under 18, your tryout application form MUST BE SIGNED by a parent or guardian for you to participate.
  • Applicants must provide the signed Release and Waiver of Liability form to participate in the clinic and tryouts. Squad members must maintain insurance all year to be an active team member.
  • All portions of clinics and tryouts are closed to the public. Only applicants, coaching staff, judges and SLU athletic department staff will be allowed inside.
  • You cannot bring a stunt partner to tryouts, you will only stunt with those trying out.
  • The purpose of the tryout is to choose the best all-around representatives for SLU.
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