University of North Carolina Wilmington s Cheerleading Handbook

Transcription

1 Below you will find the cheerleading constitution. This was formulated by the Coach and Advisory Board comprised of Athletic Department Personnel. The constitution will be in place to provide guidelines for the cheerleading team. University of North Carolina Wilmington s Cheerleading Handbook Date Created: August 2017 Updates may occur during the year and will be communicated to all members at time of update

2 Contents ARTICLE I: PURPOSE 3 ARTICLE II: EXPECTATIONS.3 ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP...3 ARTICLE IV: RULES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES.4 ARTICLE V: UNIFORMS... 6 ARTICLE VI: PRACTICE... 6 ARTICLE VII: SPONSORSHIPS...7 ARTICLE VIII: DUES..7 ARTICLE IX: DRESS CODE..8 ARTICLE X: OVERALL POLICY

3 ARTICLE I: PURPOSE The purpose of this organization will be: develop and encourage good sportsmanship among Seahawk students, be ambassadors to the University of North Carolina Wilmington, promote and uphold school spirit, and lead spectators at athletic events in showing positive support for all athletic teams. ARTICLE II: EXPECTATIONS 1. Members shall improve the skill level, attitude, work ethic, and overall spirit that was exhibited at tryouts. 2. Cheerleaders are valued and admired by fans and must act appropriately both on and off campus. 3. Members will maintain high moral and ethical standards, as one person s reputation or actions affect the entire team. This includes all social media. 4. Cheerleaders will be dedicated and willing to work hard to make the team the best it can be. 5. Members shall respect and maintain good rapport with coach, team members, and university administrators. 6. Cheerleaders are required to attend and participate in all mandatory events (i.e. games, practices, appearances, choreography camp, and fundraisers). ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP 1. The UNCW cheerleading team shall consist of a maximum of twenty-eight (28) members. These twenty-eight (28) cheerleaders will make a Co-Ed team of twelve (12) who will cheer at all home men s basketball games, an All-Girl team of twelve (12) who will cheer at all home women s basketball games, and four (4) alternates. 2. TUMBLING skills performed at tryouts will be required to be maintained throughout the season. 3. Any member may be dismissed from the team as determined by the coach and/or athletic administration for, but not limited to, the following reasons: a. Attitude b. Lack of ability 3

4 c. Attendance or lateness d. Personality conflicts e. Inability to follow rules and procedures f. Coach s decisions for the best interest of the team g. Behavior deemed inappropriate by coach i.e. insubordination h. Conduct unbecoming of a UNCW cheerleader i. Inability to represent UNCW as a student of the university ARTICLE IV: RULES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES 1. A cheerleader will be removed from the team after missing three (3) unexcused events. 2. Absolutely no smoking, drinking, etc. in any cheerleading attire! 3. Absolutely no consumption of alcoholic beverages the day of or during any event. 4. Cheerleaders must maintain a 2.5 grade point average to be on the team. GPA s will be checked again after fall semester to verify eligibility. 5. There will be absolutely no display of any negative publicity exhibited through any source of social media Violation of the above rules will result in immediate removal from the team. GENERAL RULES 1. Placement on a team is at coach s discretion and is non-negotiable. 2. The coach must be told in advance with a phone call (text message does not suffice) if an individual will be missing any cheer events. The coach will decide if it is considered an excused absence. Any phone call on the same day or after the event will automatically be unexcused, unless deemed an emergency situation by coach. 3. Excused absences are: serious injury/illness (accompanied with a doctor s excuse within 48 hours of the start of the event), family emergencies, class, or a prearranged absence. The prearranged absence has to be approved by the coach at least two (2) weeks before the absence. Examples of potential prearranged 4

5 absences are the GMAT, GRE, other graduate exams, and extra credit opportunities. 4. A member that arrives to any event (practice, game, appearance, etc.) late by thirty (30) minutes or more will receive an unexcused absence. 5. NO JEWELRY OR GUM at any event 6. No excessive talking/goofing off 7. No excessive public display of affection while in uniform 8. No talking to people in the crowd (socially) unless it is at a designated time 9. No eating during an event unless it is at a designated time 10. No swearing or fighting 11. Full focus on the game and event 12. Never look into a TV camera. Keep cheering (unless the staff member asks) 13. NO phone policy during all practices, games, and events. Unless there is a personal family emergency that must be communicated with the coach. Coach will also provide emergency number for family to contact coach during events 14. All cheerleaders must maintain their skills and physical fitness as shown at tryouts 15. Cheerleaders will be covered up before and after every event in uniform, and will not interact with the crowd for personal and social reasons at any point. Spectators will only see cheerleaders during the game while in uniform 16. Tickets will be distributed by coach the practice before every game. Cheerleaders will submit filled-out will call envelope with requested tickets back to coach at the beginning of that practice. After the ticket procedure each practice, no more tickets will be given under any circumstance. Tickets at will call will not be left for students of this university 17. During basketball season, Co-Ed and/or All-Girl teams must report (location TBA) no less than one and a half (1 ½) hours before the game unless told otherwise by coach 18. If a cheerleader quits or is removed from the team, they are not permitted to cheer or tryout for the team the following season. 5

6 ARTICLE V: UNIFORMS 1. Each cheerleader will receive a full uniform that will be assessed for defects or damages both before and after issue to team member. The uniforms are property of UNCW and must be kept clean at all times. Any excessive damages done to the uniforms will result in the cheerleader paying for a replacement. At the end of the season, individual members will be required to return their own uniform to the coach personally. Failure to return any part of the uniform could result in fines. 2. Cheerleaders will be in correct uniform to participate in any function. Any member who does not have all parts of the uniform, or is unprepared in any way will potentially not be allowed to cheer. This will be at the coach s discretion. 3. Only members of the UNCW Cheerleading team are permitted to wear the uniform, warm-up, or any team apparel. ARTICLE VI: PRACTICE 1. All practices are mandatory. Cheerleaders must attend every practice to be on the team. Members will not be eligible to cheer if he or she has class conflicts unless previously approved by the coach. 2. Due to practices being mandatory, no classes shall be scheduled during this time frame. 3. Cheerleaders shall not schedule class during practice times for fall semester. 4. A cheerleader who is absent from the practice directly before a game shall be required to sit with the coach during that entire game and a teammate will participate in that spot. The absent cheerleader will receive an excused or unexcused absence for the missed practice, but will not receive an additional absence for the game. 5. Practice attire specified is mandatory 6. Arrive to practice ON TIME 7. Members are expected to know all previously taught choreography before each practice begins. Reviewing material outside of practice will be necessary. Cheerleaders who are absent from a practice are responsible for learning the material before the next practice. 8. Schedule: Strength and Conditioning / Extra Choreography when necessary 6

7 a. Monday and Wednesday 6:30am-7:30/7:45am Practice b. Monday and Wednesday 6:30pm-9:00pm c. Each individual stunt group is required to attend open gym at Cheer Infinity, Mondays, 9:00pm-10:30pm, as a group twice (2) a month. Individuals are responsible for the cost of attendance $10 a month. Choreography Camp i. Attending without your entire group does not count d. Full attendance to all days is mandatory. Inability to attend any portion of camp will eliminate participation in the Midnite Madness routine, but will be expected to attend practices and learn all material missed Winter Holiday Games e. Each cheerleader shall be responsible for attending at minimum two (2) home games during the winter holiday ARTICLE VII: SPONSORSHIPS 1. Each member is required to participate fully in the sponsorship efforts 2. Members are responsible for selling two (2) sponsorships. Minimum of $250 per sponsor 3. Advertisements, payments, and sponsorship forms are all due to coach at practice on Wednesday, October 11 th Failure to complete the sponsorship requirement by the due will result in a suspension of two (2) conference games for each sponsorship not raised, and will not be eligible for post-season travel ARTICLE VIII: DUES 1. Each cheerleader is responsible for attending Open Gym at Cheer Infinity as a stunt group twice (2) a month, and is responsible for the cost associated with attendance. Attendance to begin in September. ($10 a month) 2. New team members are responsible for the cost of warm ups. (Approx. $75) 7

8 3. All cheerleaders are responsible for the cost of cheer shoes, and can be purchased through the coach, or separately on their own 4. Ladies are required to purchase their game day and special appearance bows ($20) 5. Choreography camp ($75) ARTICLE IX: DRESS CODE Essential to the success of any team is uniformity. For this reason, amongst any assembly of the team (in part or in its entirety) all participating cheerleaders are to exhibit invariability throughout. Dress code is subject to change to accommodate circumstance. Practice Dress Code: Ladies Men 1. Hair in a bow. A ponytail, or half-up half-down are the only two acceptable styles 2. Cheer shoes are to be worn at all times 3. Only athletic shorts/spandex shorts will be acceptable bottom wear. No sweatpants, yoga pants, joggers, or long spandex are to be worn 4. Form fitting tops, t-shirts, tank-tops, and sports-bras are all acceptable top wear 5. There is a zero tolerance policy for jewelry of any kind. All exposed piercings must either be removed or replaced with a clear retainer 6. Nails are to be kept at a length not visible past the tip of the finger. No acrylics 1. Athletic shirt tucked into athletic shorts matching the designated scheme of the occasion 2. Cheer shoes must be worn at all time 3. There is a zero tolerance policy for jewelry of any kind 4. Long hair must be tied back Game Day/Special Appearance Dress Code: 8

9 Ladies Men 1. Must arrive wearing uniform top, and have skirt in bag. Cheerleaders will wear the cover-up shirt during the entire warm up before the game and will get game day ready at a time and place determined by the coach 2. Hair is to be worn strictly half-up half-down style. The game day bow is to be worn, and must face the back 3. Only shades of red lipstick are permitted. Not pink, nor nude are acceptable. Coach will approve or disprove upon the first appearance 4. White ankle socks are to be worn with cheer shoes 5. There is a zero tolerance policy for jewelry of any kind. All exposed piercings must either be removed or replaced with a clear retainer 6. Nails are to be kept at a length not visible past the tip of the finger. There is to be zero colored nail polish of any kind. The only acceptable nail polish styles are French-tip, or nude 1. Top of the uniform tucked into the uniform pants 2. White cheer shoes, and white ankle socks must be worn 3. Facial hair must be clean-cut. Sideburns must be kept neatly groomed 4. Hair needs to be neatly kept and combed, and long hair must be pulled back 5. There is a zero tolerance policy for jewelry of any kind. All exposed piercings must either be removed or replaced with a clear retainer 6. Nails are to be kept at a length not visible past the tip of the finger. There is to be zero colored nail polish of any kind. The only acceptable nail polish styles are French-tip, or nude Violations of rules and expectations as stated in this handbook will result in conditioning unless otherwise noted. Excessive offenses may result in suspension. 9

10 ARTICLE X: OVERALL POLICY These rules and guidelines will be strictly enforced on each and every offense. Every member is expected to display exemplary behavior in season or out. All policies stated in the constitution are up to review under the direction of the coach. Should a member be removed from the team by the coach, the cheerleader may appeal the removal. This appeal must be made, in writing, within one (1) week of removal from the team. The written appeal must include the cheerleader s concerns and documentation to support those concerns addressed to the team administrator, the Associate AD for External Operations. The appeal will be reviewed and the outcome will be provided in writing during a meeting with the team administrator. Should the cheerleader remain unsatisfied, there is the option to further appeal the decision in writing to the Senior Associate AD of Internal Operations within one (1) week from the team administrator meeting. The decision of the Senior Associate AD of Internal Operations is final and will be provided in writing during a meeting. No further appeal is available. Cheerleader: I have read the UNCW Cheerleading Rules/Expectations for I understand what will be expected of me. I will abide by these rules and will accept consequences if I fail or refuse to comply them. Print Name Date Cheerleader Signature Cell Phone UNCW G-Mail GroupMe Name Facebook Name Coach Signature 10