Indiana University Athletics
Cheerleading Manual
I. Role of IU Cheerleading Teams
The cheerleading program at Indiana University is an auxiliary group which supports the athletic program and teams at Indiana University by generating crowd enthusiasm, promoting school spirit and supporting teams and student-athletes in their competitions. Indiana University's cheerleading members will adhere to certain standards of academic achievement, conduct, responsibilities, health habits, dress, public appearance, performance, transportation policies, selection procedures and expectations placed upon them as representatives of Indiana University and of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. IU Cheerleading members are not designated as student-athletes.
II. Staff
Head Coach: Julie Horine
Assistant Head Coach: Tony Nash
Assistant Head Coach: Megan Nash
Assistant Coach: Liz Cross
Assistant Coach: Kristen Zupancic
Assistant Coach: Connor Norwood
Assistant Coach: Brandon Krieger
Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Relations/Director of the Varsity Club: Kevin VanRooy
Head Athletic Trainer: Billy Means
Academic Advisor: Dan Woodside
III. Employment Obligations
Individuals working with Indiana University Cheerleading Program, including volunteers, are required to go through the same employment process as other individuals employed by the athletic department. This process includes all necessary background checks and employment documentation.
Indiana University Cheerleading staff are subject to NCAA outside income legislation; therefore, staff will be required to complete and submit an outside income statement per athletic department policies in this regard.
The head coach reports directly to the Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Relations/Director of the Varsity Club.
Coaches are required to attend practices, games, national competitions, and assigned road trips.
IV. Health and Safety Guidelines
Each cheerleader must have a physical, medical history questionnaire and medical insurance form on file with the Sports Medicine Office. Returning cheerleaders will receive their physicals at no charge through the Sports Medicine Office with the time and date normally in August. Students entering the program for the first time must provide their physical examinations at their own expense using forms provided by the Sports Medicine Office, and this form must be submitted, reviewed and clearance given by the Director of Sports Medicine before that student may participate in any practice or activities.
The final decision on a person's physical qualifications, participation in the program or reason for rejection rests solely with the Director of Sports Medicine.
All injuries received during practices or at games/matches must be reported to the Sports Medicine Office (Athletic Training Room) where an examination will take place and treatment be prescribed. The Department Advisor and Program Head Coach will work with the Sports Medicine personnel for individual's medical updates as spelled out by Federal guidelines. Any description of the Department's responsibilities in terms of medical and health insurance coverage will be spelled out in a letter from the Director of Sports Medicine. The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is not responsible for medical services or fees incurred outside of the regular practices or events nor will the Department be responsible for any medical costs if the proper procedure is not followed by the spirit squad member.
V. Eligibility Requirements
1. Full-time undergraduate students attending Indiana University Bloomington at the time of the try-out may participate;
2. Undergraduate transfer students from another college, university or IU regional campus who have completed or will have completed at least 24 credit hours in that academic year and who are in the Indiana University Bloomington admissions process;
3. Incoming freshman students who have applied to Indiana University through its Office of Admissions and either have been accepted or are awaiting acceptance for matriculation beginning with either in the Summer Semester or Fall Semester. Selection to the Indiana University Spirit Squad Program does not guarantee admission to Indiana University Bloomington
4. Transfer undergraduate students who'll be full-time undergraduate students during the next school year and meet the Big Ten quantitative
hours requirement
5. Graduate students individually should contact the Departmental Advisor;
6. A minimum 2.000 cumulative grade point average (no round-ups) is required to try out for those undergraduate students already attending Indiana University Bloomington. Transfer credit from institutions other than Indiana University and its regional campuses may not be used to meet the 2.000 GPA requirement
VI. Try Out Procedures
Squad members will be selected in April of each year on the basis of cheerleading skills, tumbling skills, personality, enthusiasm, and academic standing. The IU Cheerleading administration reserves the right to refuse a try-out or a position on any squad to any person for reasons of academic deficiencies with any part of Indiana University, any past performances which dishonored the intercollegiate athletic program, or any reason deemed appropriate by the head coach.
If a returning program member is unable to participate in the April selection process due to surgery or injury resulting from participation in official IU Cheerleading or University class situation, then the following system comes into play:
1. He/she will be excused from the selection process.
2. Upon being released by the program Head Athletic Trainer, the program member will need to demonstrate his/her skills to the IU Cheerleading Coaches so that they can determine whether or not the athlete has a position on the team for the upcoming season.
3. If the program member’s recovery is not complete and the individual can not demonstrate his/her skill set prior to the season beginning, then the Program Head Coach will determine if a position needs to be filled.
4. The IU Cheerleading program will be inclusive and represent the diversity of broader campus community.
VII. Rules and Regulations
It cannot be stressed enough that the program members' roles as University representatives. They are highly visible symbols of Indiana University, and thus, must conduct themselves professionally at all times. They should do nothing which brings embarrassment to the University, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and, most importantly, to themselves and to their families. Selection as a spirit squad member is a prestigious honor and has separated that individual from the rest of the student body, and appropriate conduct is mandated accordingly. The following rules specifically apply:
1. ALL freshman Program members must live on the Bloomington campus the first year.
2. No smoking or smokeless tobacco chewing during practices or while in uniform, attending receptions, traveling to and from games/matches and away game/match cities;
3. No alcoholic beverages will be consumed the morning of athletic events. Alcoholic beverage consumption, regardless of the amount consumed, can dull a person's senses and reaction time which can lead to possible injury of that squad member or a fellow squad member(s). Violation of this clause will result in suspension for that game/match and the next game/match;
4. No alcoholic beverages will be consumed by the program members either during transit to or from the away game/match city, at the hotel where the squad is staying especially when housed with the athletic team, during a pre-game/match reception or at the game/match. Underage drinking with false identification cards will not be tolerated;
5. Any member of the program who shows up to make a road trip and gives the impression of being under the influence of alcohol will not be permitted to make that road trip and will be suspended for one additional game/match following that road trip;
6. The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is vitally concerned about the liability issue of an underage student traveling under its auspices being caught consuming alcohol and also for any use of a false identification card to obtain the alcohol. That student is subject to discipline action by the Dean of Students Office as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct;
7. The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics reserves the right to contact and involve a student's parents if alcohol is involved in any negative situation. The Department will work through the Student-Athlete Assistance Program (SAAP) with the student in question for any counseling. The SAAP is discussed at length along with the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics' policies covering drugs and alcohol in the Indiana University Student-Athlete Handbook;
8. Abusive language on or off the field of play, during practice or traveling to any event will not be tolerated and will be grounds for possible suspension or even dismissal;
9. Any action which brings undue embarrassment to Indiana University will be grounds for dismissal from the program;
10. The Department Advisor will be involved with the coaching staff in any consideration of dismissing an individual from the program.
ATTENDANCE
Good attendance and on-time arrivals are vital to a well-prepared team for intercollegiate athletic events. Late arrivals will not be tolerated unless the program member has been in communication with the Program Head Coach or another member of the coaching staff.
Excused absences will include:
1. Illness to the spirit squad member and/or immediate family members requiring that student's attention and travel away from campus;
2. Death in the immediate family;
3. Required class obligations, i.e., tests scheduled outside of regular class time or mandatory lectures required for the class.
NOTE: Review sessions are NOT considered as excused absences from practices or games/matches.
Notices of these situations, when possible, must be submitted to the Head Coach at least 24 hours in advance. It is recognized this certainly may not be possible when it involves illness or death in the immediate family.
If a program member misses a practice or an event with an unexcused absence, then that person will not cheer the next event. The person must be considerate of the program as a whole.
If a program member misses a practice prior to an intercollegiate athletic event, then that person will not participate in the next scheduled event; e.g., if you miss a Thursday practice prior to a football game, then you don't cheer the game that Saturday.
If a person missed arranged transportation to an away intercollegiate athletic event where that person had committed to be a part of the travel squad, then it is that person's obligation to get to the away event city at that individual's personal expense if the distance is within driving distance. If the person chooses not to make the attempt, then that person will miss the following event.
Any time a person is suspended for a game/match, that person's name may be removed from the Athletic Ticket Office admission list for that event.
Repeated tardiness, unexcused absences or missed games will be grounds for dismissal from the program.
VIII. Website and Social Media
Photos used on the website and social media will be taken and posted only by approved IU Athletics or IU Cheerleading staff.
IU Athletics’ Director of Digital and Social Media will update roster changes on the website and will be responsible to update the Cheerleading page of the IU Athletics website.
All content on IU Cheerleading social media accounts must be posted and approved by paid IU Cheerleading staff, the IU Athletics Director of Digital and Social Media, or personnel in the IU Athletics Media Relations Office.
IX. Participation in National Competitions
1. It is a program goal, not an expectation for Cream (coed) squad to participate.
2. Crimson (all female) squad is expected to participate.
3. Participation is only allowed in a competition formally sanctioned and hosted by Universal Cheerleaders Associatoin (UCA).
4. Participation cannot interfere with the Spring football game, football season , men’s basketball season, or women’s basketball season.
5. Team(s) must be supervised by the Program Head Coach and all paid Assistant Head Coaches, and Assistant Coaches on the trip.
6. Associate Athletic Director will review and approve all trip expenses, methods of travel, lodging, and food accommodations.
7. IU Athletics will cover transportation, lodging, food expenses to participate in the national competition for the Crimson squad.
X. Roster Size
The IU Cheerleading program will consist of only two teams.
1. Cream – This is the designated coed team that will be responsible to cover home/away football, volleyball, and home/away men’s basketball.
2. Crimson - This is the designated all female team that will be responsible to cover home football, volleyball, and home/away women’s basketball.
The maximum number of participants is 56 for the IU Cheerleading program
XI. IU Foundation Scholarship and Eligibility Requirements
The IU Foundation awards (20) $200 scholarships annually to members of the IU Cheerleading teams.
Those 20 scholarships are awarded to:
The individual(s) with the highest semester GPA on each of the two teams.
The individual(s) with the highest cumulative GPA on each of the two teams.
The remaining (16) scholarships are given to the next highest semester GPA’s.
XII. Participation Awards
First Year: I-Blanket
Second Year: 11x14 matted color photo
Third Year: I-Jacket
Fourth Year : Award Plaque
Eligibility Concluded: With a minimum of two year required in the IU Cheerleading program, each program member will receive an Awards Ring.
The cheerleading program at Indiana University is an auxiliary group which supports the athletic program and teams at Indiana University by generating crowd enthusiasm, promoting school spirit and supporting teams and student-athletes in their competitions. Indiana University's cheerleading members will adhere to certain standards of academic achievement, conduct, responsibilities, health habits, dress, public appearance, performance, transportation policies, selection procedures and expectations placed upon them as representatives of Indiana University and of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. IU Cheerleading members are not designated as student-athletes.
II. Staff
Head Coach: Julie Horine
Assistant Head Coach: Tony Nash
Assistant Head Coach: Megan Nash
Assistant Coach: Liz Cross
Assistant Coach: Kristen Zupancic
Assistant Coach: Connor Norwood
Assistant Coach: Brandon Krieger
Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Relations/Director of the Varsity Club: Kevin VanRooy
Head Athletic Trainer: Billy Means
Academic Advisor: Dan Woodside
III. Employment Obligations
Individuals working with Indiana University Cheerleading Program, including volunteers, are required to go through the same employment process as other individuals employed by the athletic department. This process includes all necessary background checks and employment documentation.
Indiana University Cheerleading staff are subject to NCAA outside income legislation; therefore, staff will be required to complete and submit an outside income statement per athletic department policies in this regard.
The head coach reports directly to the Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Relations/Director of the Varsity Club.
Coaches are required to attend practices, games, national competitions, and assigned road trips.
IV. Health and Safety Guidelines
Each cheerleader must have a physical, medical history questionnaire and medical insurance form on file with the Sports Medicine Office. Returning cheerleaders will receive their physicals at no charge through the Sports Medicine Office with the time and date normally in August. Students entering the program for the first time must provide their physical examinations at their own expense using forms provided by the Sports Medicine Office, and this form must be submitted, reviewed and clearance given by the Director of Sports Medicine before that student may participate in any practice or activities.
The final decision on a person's physical qualifications, participation in the program or reason for rejection rests solely with the Director of Sports Medicine.
All injuries received during practices or at games/matches must be reported to the Sports Medicine Office (Athletic Training Room) where an examination will take place and treatment be prescribed. The Department Advisor and Program Head Coach will work with the Sports Medicine personnel for individual's medical updates as spelled out by Federal guidelines. Any description of the Department's responsibilities in terms of medical and health insurance coverage will be spelled out in a letter from the Director of Sports Medicine. The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is not responsible for medical services or fees incurred outside of the regular practices or events nor will the Department be responsible for any medical costs if the proper procedure is not followed by the spirit squad member.
V. Eligibility Requirements
1. Full-time undergraduate students attending Indiana University Bloomington at the time of the try-out may participate;
2. Undergraduate transfer students from another college, university or IU regional campus who have completed or will have completed at least 24 credit hours in that academic year and who are in the Indiana University Bloomington admissions process;
3. Incoming freshman students who have applied to Indiana University through its Office of Admissions and either have been accepted or are awaiting acceptance for matriculation beginning with either in the Summer Semester or Fall Semester. Selection to the Indiana University Spirit Squad Program does not guarantee admission to Indiana University Bloomington
4. Transfer undergraduate students who'll be full-time undergraduate students during the next school year and meet the Big Ten quantitative
hours requirement
5. Graduate students individually should contact the Departmental Advisor;
6. A minimum 2.000 cumulative grade point average (no round-ups) is required to try out for those undergraduate students already attending Indiana University Bloomington. Transfer credit from institutions other than Indiana University and its regional campuses may not be used to meet the 2.000 GPA requirement
VI. Try Out Procedures
Squad members will be selected in April of each year on the basis of cheerleading skills, tumbling skills, personality, enthusiasm, and academic standing. The IU Cheerleading administration reserves the right to refuse a try-out or a position on any squad to any person for reasons of academic deficiencies with any part of Indiana University, any past performances which dishonored the intercollegiate athletic program, or any reason deemed appropriate by the head coach.
If a returning program member is unable to participate in the April selection process due to surgery or injury resulting from participation in official IU Cheerleading or University class situation, then the following system comes into play:
1. He/she will be excused from the selection process.
2. Upon being released by the program Head Athletic Trainer, the program member will need to demonstrate his/her skills to the IU Cheerleading Coaches so that they can determine whether or not the athlete has a position on the team for the upcoming season.
3. If the program member’s recovery is not complete and the individual can not demonstrate his/her skill set prior to the season beginning, then the Program Head Coach will determine if a position needs to be filled.
4. The IU Cheerleading program will be inclusive and represent the diversity of broader campus community.
VII. Rules and Regulations
It cannot be stressed enough that the program members' roles as University representatives. They are highly visible symbols of Indiana University, and thus, must conduct themselves professionally at all times. They should do nothing which brings embarrassment to the University, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and, most importantly, to themselves and to their families. Selection as a spirit squad member is a prestigious honor and has separated that individual from the rest of the student body, and appropriate conduct is mandated accordingly. The following rules specifically apply:
1. ALL freshman Program members must live on the Bloomington campus the first year.
2. No smoking or smokeless tobacco chewing during practices or while in uniform, attending receptions, traveling to and from games/matches and away game/match cities;
3. No alcoholic beverages will be consumed the morning of athletic events. Alcoholic beverage consumption, regardless of the amount consumed, can dull a person's senses and reaction time which can lead to possible injury of that squad member or a fellow squad member(s). Violation of this clause will result in suspension for that game/match and the next game/match;
4. No alcoholic beverages will be consumed by the program members either during transit to or from the away game/match city, at the hotel where the squad is staying especially when housed with the athletic team, during a pre-game/match reception or at the game/match. Underage drinking with false identification cards will not be tolerated;
5. Any member of the program who shows up to make a road trip and gives the impression of being under the influence of alcohol will not be permitted to make that road trip and will be suspended for one additional game/match following that road trip;
6. The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is vitally concerned about the liability issue of an underage student traveling under its auspices being caught consuming alcohol and also for any use of a false identification card to obtain the alcohol. That student is subject to discipline action by the Dean of Students Office as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct;
7. The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics reserves the right to contact and involve a student's parents if alcohol is involved in any negative situation. The Department will work through the Student-Athlete Assistance Program (SAAP) with the student in question for any counseling. The SAAP is discussed at length along with the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics' policies covering drugs and alcohol in the Indiana University Student-Athlete Handbook;
8. Abusive language on or off the field of play, during practice or traveling to any event will not be tolerated and will be grounds for possible suspension or even dismissal;
9. Any action which brings undue embarrassment to Indiana University will be grounds for dismissal from the program;
10. The Department Advisor will be involved with the coaching staff in any consideration of dismissing an individual from the program.
ATTENDANCE
Good attendance and on-time arrivals are vital to a well-prepared team for intercollegiate athletic events. Late arrivals will not be tolerated unless the program member has been in communication with the Program Head Coach or another member of the coaching staff.
Excused absences will include:
1. Illness to the spirit squad member and/or immediate family members requiring that student's attention and travel away from campus;
2. Death in the immediate family;
3. Required class obligations, i.e., tests scheduled outside of regular class time or mandatory lectures required for the class.
NOTE: Review sessions are NOT considered as excused absences from practices or games/matches.
Notices of these situations, when possible, must be submitted to the Head Coach at least 24 hours in advance. It is recognized this certainly may not be possible when it involves illness or death in the immediate family.
If a program member misses a practice or an event with an unexcused absence, then that person will not cheer the next event. The person must be considerate of the program as a whole.
If a program member misses a practice prior to an intercollegiate athletic event, then that person will not participate in the next scheduled event; e.g., if you miss a Thursday practice prior to a football game, then you don't cheer the game that Saturday.
If a person missed arranged transportation to an away intercollegiate athletic event where that person had committed to be a part of the travel squad, then it is that person's obligation to get to the away event city at that individual's personal expense if the distance is within driving distance. If the person chooses not to make the attempt, then that person will miss the following event.
Any time a person is suspended for a game/match, that person's name may be removed from the Athletic Ticket Office admission list for that event.
Repeated tardiness, unexcused absences or missed games will be grounds for dismissal from the program.
VIII. Website and Social Media
Photos used on the website and social media will be taken and posted only by approved IU Athletics or IU Cheerleading staff.
IU Athletics’ Director of Digital and Social Media will update roster changes on the website and will be responsible to update the Cheerleading page of the IU Athletics website.
All content on IU Cheerleading social media accounts must be posted and approved by paid IU Cheerleading staff, the IU Athletics Director of Digital and Social Media, or personnel in the IU Athletics Media Relations Office.
IX. Participation in National Competitions
1. It is a program goal, not an expectation for Cream (coed) squad to participate.
2. Crimson (all female) squad is expected to participate.
3. Participation is only allowed in a competition formally sanctioned and hosted by Universal Cheerleaders Associatoin (UCA).
4. Participation cannot interfere with the Spring football game, football season , men’s basketball season, or women’s basketball season.
5. Team(s) must be supervised by the Program Head Coach and all paid Assistant Head Coaches, and Assistant Coaches on the trip.
6. Associate Athletic Director will review and approve all trip expenses, methods of travel, lodging, and food accommodations.
7. IU Athletics will cover transportation, lodging, food expenses to participate in the national competition for the Crimson squad.
X. Roster Size
The IU Cheerleading program will consist of only two teams.
1. Cream – This is the designated coed team that will be responsible to cover home/away football, volleyball, and home/away men’s basketball.
2. Crimson - This is the designated all female team that will be responsible to cover home football, volleyball, and home/away women’s basketball.
The maximum number of participants is 56 for the IU Cheerleading program
XI. IU Foundation Scholarship and Eligibility Requirements
The IU Foundation awards (20) $200 scholarships annually to members of the IU Cheerleading teams.
Those 20 scholarships are awarded to:
The individual(s) with the highest semester GPA on each of the two teams.
The individual(s) with the highest cumulative GPA on each of the two teams.
The remaining (16) scholarships are given to the next highest semester GPA’s.
XII. Participation Awards
First Year: I-Blanket
Second Year: 11x14 matted color photo
Third Year: I-Jacket
Fourth Year : Award Plaque
Eligibility Concluded: With a minimum of two year required in the IU Cheerleading program, each program member will receive an Awards Ring.