2009 10 Northridge Cheerleading Team Tryout Information Second tryout Date ANNOUCED! We are looking for energetic, fun, outgoing, dedicated, and talented male and female cheerleaders for the 2009 2010 season! Please read the description of the tryout material, dates and other important information regarding the tryout process below. If you have any additional questions, please email head coach Aaron Martin at cheercsun@yahoo.com. The Cal State Northridge Cheerleading Squad is a FULL YEAR COMMITMENT!! We practice three times a week, in addition to cheering at all home Men's and Women's Basketball games. We also support a variety of other athletic events on campus, and make many special appearances at of events. We fundraise year round in order to continue to build our program. In addition, we compete at UCA Nationals in Division I Small Co ed (Highest Small Co ed Division!) We are an extremely serious program, and if the time seems like a lot... it is... but well worth every minute! Northridge Cheerleading National Competition Record 2009: Competed at the most prestigious (ESPN Televised) championship, UCA Nationals in Orlando, Florida. 2008: 2nd place, USA Nationals. 2007: CSUN makes its first appearance at USA Nationals! 5th place. Cheerleading Tryouts Be sure to bring the following documentation with you on June 26th: Tryout Application (available at www.gomatadors.com) Prrof of Enrollment & Medical Release Form (available at www.gomatadors.com) $25 tryout fee (make checks payable to "CSUN Cheer/AS". Cash is also accepted.) o If you do not pay the registration fee, you will not be allowed to tryout. o If you tried out in April don t need to pay this again. Photo copy of your Medical Insurance Card Recent photo of you attached to your application If you are auditioning by DVD, please submit your $25 fee with your application form and video. Two Day Tryout Schedule UPDATED June 2009 Learn Cheerleading Tryout Material:
Date: Friday, June 26 th Time: 6pm 9pm Room: Redwood Hall 180 or 160 (please look for signs the day of) Cheerleading Squad Try Outs Date: Saturday, June 27 th Time: 9am 2pm Room: Redwood Hall 180 or 160 (please look for signs the day of) Click HERE for campus map. ( Please put this link above http://www.csun.edu/maps/cm1.html ) On Saturday, June 27 th, there will be a review clinic in the morning, and official tryouts will begin at 10 am. **It is important to understand that tryouts are not the place to "try" something for the first time. If you don't meet the requirements, we would rather hear that you would work on it, rather than risk injury. Tryout Requirements for the CSUN Cheerleading Squad: Cheer Motions Candidates will be taught three sideline cheers, of which one will be randomly called during the tryout. Dance Routine Candidates will be taught a short dance routine. Male candidates will not be required to dance. Jumps Candidates will be asked to perform a toe touch and a second collegiate level jump (pike, hurdler, hurkie, around the world) Kicks Female Candidates will be asked to show the judges both right and left kicks Tumbling All candidates will show a standing back tuck or other standing tumbling. Tumbling passes are optional for tryouts but we encourage you to show all that you can do. Stunting All candidates will show collegiate level partner stunting. The minimum requirement is a full up stretch, double down as either a base or top girl. Male candidates are asked to show a single base extension. Interview Candidates will be asked several questions regarding background, cheer experience etc. Open Pre Tryout Practices in June Are you just getting back into cheerleading? Are you coming straight out of high school and need to learn collegiate stunts? Or, do you just want to check out the team and coaches before you tryout? We understand, email us at cheercsun@yahoo.com and schedule some time with us at our open practices in June. We want to get to know you and help you with your skills. **You must be admitted to Cal State Northridge for the Fall 2009 semester, as well as bring a copy of your insurance card with you to any open practice.
In your email, tell the coach: 1. What is your cheerleading experience? (Where did you cheer? How long?) 2. Do you have a standing back tuck? 3. Are you a base, spotter, or flyer? FAQ's When are Tryouts? Friday and Saturday, June 26 th and 27 th. Come learn the material on Friday and tryout on Saturday. Can I tryout by video Yes, but all videos/dvd's MUST BE RECEIVED no later than June 23, 2009. They can be mailed to: (along with registration forms and payment) Erin G. Kiser c/o Matador Cheerleading 18111 Nordhoff Street Northridge, CA 91330 8301 Do you have enrollment requirements? You must be enrolled as a FULL TIME student at Cal State Northridge. For undergrads, this is 12 units. For Grad students, this is six units. You must maintain a semester and CSUN overall GPA of 2.0 or better at all times. If you have two semesters of poor academic performance, you will be removed from the team, and not allowed to try out again for another two semesters. Grade checks will be made throughout the year as well as enrollment verifications. If you are an incoming freshman, please denote on your registration form. What skills do I need to make the team? See Tryout Material above What do I wear? Please show us your Matador Spirit at tryouts! Wear comfortable "cheer practice attire" in red, black, white, or grey. It is important to wear proper shoes for safety while practicing cheerleading material. This attire is mandatory for tryouts and recommended for the cheer clinic. This attire is also required for any video submissions.
Do Veteran Members have to try out every year? Are they guaranteed a spot on the team? All members must try out each year. Veteran members do have an advantage knowing the program and style of cheerleading, however, tryouts are judged by a panel of experienced collegiate cheerleaders and athletic department staff. Veterans are not guaranteed a position on the team. Does Northridge Cheerleading have weight limits? No, CSUN does not have a weight limit. We encourage and expect all CSUN cheerleading squad members to maintain a healthy appearance. We will also require conditioning throughout the year by each team member. How many cheerleaders are on the team? The official cheerleading team will have no more than 20 members. Do all women have to be top girls? No, all women do not have to be top girls, however, the more versatile you are, the better your chances at making the team. Do I have to be able to Tumble? We require a standing back handspring (spotted okay). What are tryouts like? Tryouts are very traditional. We have a panel of judges who will ask questions and guide you through the process. Stunting ability will be judged in a group setting. Do I have to purchase my own uniform? The University owns the uniform and warm ups. Cheerleaders pay a $40/semester rental fee. All squad members must purchase their own practice attire, shoes, socks, poms, sleeves, and briefs. This is an estimated $400 individual commitment. Overall, there is an estimated $800 $1000 financial commitment that includes monies for National Competition, etc. We are very aggressive about fundraising year round as to alleviate the final out of pocket expense. Does CSUN Cheer offer scholarships? Like most cheerleading programs, the Cal State Northridge Cheerleaders have a very limited budget. We are working on ways to improve this situation. At this current time, we do not offer scholarships. Cheerleaders do receive priority registration. How can I prepare for tryouts? Take tumbling/stunting classes at a local gym. Be physically fit (make sure your exercise routine includes cardiovascular endurance and strength training). Practice the basics (motions, jumps, kicks, dance)
What is the time commitment? All practices, excluding camp, will take place on the campus of Cal State Northridge. Summer Schedule: July 6 10, 2009 10 a.m. 3 p.m. MANDATORY After that, every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 8:30 p.m. All selected members MUST attend college cheerleading camp in Santa Barbara in August 7 9, 2009. NO EXCEPTIONS. Fall/Spring Schedule: The CSUN cheer squad practices three days a week for three hours in addition to ALL home basketball games and a variety of other sporting events, appearances, and competitions. During Basketball season, cheer squad members can expect to have 1 3 commitments per week in addition to regularly scheduled practices. Do the CSUN Cheerleaders Travel? The CSUN Cheerleaders normally do not travel due to Big West Conference limitations. The exception to this rule includes the following: televised games, conference tournament, NCAA tournament, cheerleading competitions, and cheerleading camp. When will they announce the new squad member list? It will be listed on the Cheerleading page of GoMatadors.com with 48 hours of the close of tryouts. What happens if I make the squad? When the announcement is made for the 2009 10 squad, the advisor will send out an email to each of you outlining the upcoming practice schedule/expectations, etc. You will be financially responsibly for your uniform and warm ups that are issued to you, along with all other fees outlined in this FAQ page. If you quit the team during the year, you will be held financially responsible for your camp fee as well. ($300.00) When will the time commitment start to the 2009 10 squad? We will reconvene after July 4th weekend for regular team conditioning practices in preparation for cheer camp in August 2009. The first meeting will be July 6 th at 10 a.m. SHARP.