Indiana Cheerleading Information
7/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Spirit Squad
July 17, 2005
Welcome to Indiana University Cheerleading.
We have two different squads in our program: The Varsity Cream Co-ed Cheer Squad which cheers for Football and Men's Basketball and the Varsity Crimson Squad, an all-female cheer squad which cheers for home football games and Women's Basketball teams. Each team also cheers for Women's Volleyball.
We truly are in our most successful period with the Cheerleaders who are continually ranked nationally in the College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships conducted at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The Cream Cheerleaders have been the Mid-America Region Champions three times in the last eight years (1998, 2000, 2003) and nationally finished 7th in 2005 and 2006, 11th in 2003, 14th in 2000, 11th in 1998, 10th in 1997 and 5th in 1996. The All-Female Crimson Cheers came in No. 7 in 2005 during the most competitive championship on record. The Crimson Cheers had their best Nationals program finish ever with Third Place in 2004, improving on the sixth place national finish from 2003 after a fourth place finish in their first attempt at College Nationals in 2002. They were No. 5 in 2005.
Anyone selected to our program is expected to be a leader among the IU student body. Involvement in our program makes that individual a highly visible Indiana University representative. He or she may be called upon to speak to thousands of alumni and friends during a pep rally or at a game. We are seeking talented people wanting to continue their cheer experience, who are healthy and fit and who are committed to obtaining a college education. Work on the basics and conditioning. Keep in mind your academic objective, first and foremost, when thinking about a university where you want to cheer or dance.
Try-Outs
Our try-out requirements are basic. Each student must be making normal progress toward a degree meeting the same quantitative hours required of student-athletes. We encourage each student to carry and maintain at least 12 hours per semester and to maintain at least a 2.000 semester grade point average. The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics requires completion of a physical examination, medical history questionnaire and proof of medical insurance coverage for you from your family for the 2006-2007try-out. All forms may sent upon request.
Our try-outs are conducted in April for the following school year. We do this so our program is in place, can practice during the summer and be ready for the new athletic year. The try-outs are open to: 1) those IU students already on campus; 2) those transfer students who already have been accepted conditionally by Indiana University for admission and who meet the Big Ten quantitative hours requirements; 3) all incoming freshmen. Any freshman/transfer student selected for our program must meet all IU admission requirements, and selection does not guarantee admission to IU Bloomington.
The 2006 April try-outs have a recommended clinic to attend and a selection process.The following description is of a typical year's try-out. Every female applicant is responsible for a cheer, jumps and the IU Fight Song. All female applicants perform these routines in groups. Pom candidates learn one or two dance routines (funk dance and technical dance), leaps, tricks and turns. Female Cheer applicants also work on partner stunting. Men trying out for our program are responsible for a cheer, IU Fight Song and partner stunting. Every female applicant for one of the cheer squads must also must show a pass of tumbling, a standing back handsrpring, a standing back tuck, and a back handspring tuck together. All male applicants are asked to show a standing back handspring or tuck (tuck is preferred), and any series tumbling that he might have at that time.
Practices and Events
The two squads practice every Tuesday and Thursday during the school year, usually three hours per practice in the Gladstein Fieldhouse next to Assembly Hall. We use full-sized cheer mats for practices like you've seen used for the National Championships. Conditioning and weight training are additional commitments.
Home athletic events are very busy. During Football, the Cheerleaders make appearances and perform at alumni functions and make several trips around Memorial Stadium to tailgate functions. This Hoosier Spirit carries over into Men's Basketball when the squads tour Assembly Hall encouraging fans to Back the Hoosiers. The Crimson Cheerleaders are real favorites and then add tremendous spirit to the Women's Basketball games in Assembly Hall. Everyone in College Basketball recognizes Indiana Cheerleading for the third time-out of every second half with the "William Tell Overture". It's a sight to behold and always awaited with great anticipation by all Hoosier faithful.
The Cream Cheerleaders have the opportunity to travel to all away Football and non-Big Ten Men's Basketball games along with any post-season play (bowl games, NCAA, NIT). The Crimson Cheerleaders go only to post-season championship events.
Funding
Indiana University Cheerleading does not have what most term "scholarships" for cheerleading. The IU Foundation provides a $200 book stipend per semester to 20 program members determined by the program coaching staff. Any members of our program may apply for University financial assistance. You may receive information about the University program from the Office of Student Financial Assistance in Franklin Hall Room 208.
Camp
Indiana University attends a Summer cheerleading camp each year. Attendance is mandatory for those in the program. Expenses for the camp is covered by the university. For the Summer of 2006, we will be attending the Universal Cheerleaders Association College camp at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. We will be there August 3-6.
Nationals
Each year the two teams strive to attend the National Cheerleading and Dance Team Championships in Orlando, Florida. This competition is held in January each year. While it is a program goal, it is not our primary focus. Each team must be representing Indiana University to level of excellence that is expected and set forth by the program coaches in order for the bid process to be entered.
Nationals is not funded by Indiana University. Each program member is asked to obtain financial contributions to help with the costs of preparing and attending the championships each year.