IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY MASCOT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES CONTACT INFORMATION Allison DiBlasi, Head Cheer and Mascot Coach 3512 Honeysuckle Road Ames, Iowa 50014 h) 515-292-8124; w) 515-817-0622 (school-year only) adiblasi@ames.k12.ia.us (preferred) MISSION STATEMENT The Iowa State Mascot Squad promotes and upholds school spirit, through skills and interactive crowd participation. As a member of the team, mascots will have the opportunity to attend functions which enhance school spirit and give recognition to Iowa State University. It is each team member s responsibility to put forth their best effort at all engagements, maintain a sense of good sportsmanship, promote crowd involvement, foster good relationships with other schools and take pride in maintaining and creating a level of excellence to be continued through the years. Team members will be challenged to increase personal growth and development through the personal management of athletic and academic responsibilities. PHILOSOPHIES In order to establish a Division 1 Mascot program that is respected and recognized, certain philosophies and policies govern the ISU mascot program. The coach reserves the right to add/delete or amend policies as s/he sees fit. Given the opportunity to be an ISU mascot is considered a privilege, compliance to the policies is expected. It is understood that all ISU mascots are dedicated to their sport through financial and philosophical commitments. THE PURPOSES OF BEING AN ISU MASCOT Promote ISU spirit at all times Motivate, inspire, and entertain Cyclone fans at games and appearances Maintain a good sense of sportsmanship Promote crowd involvement during games and appearances Establish and maintain positive relationships with other schools Create and maintain ISU traditions SQUAD DESCRIPTIONS The ISU Mascot squad consists of 5-8 people. Number of squad members varies from year to year and is determined by the coach. The ISU mascot squad performs at most home ISU sporting events and appearances as assigned.
ELIGIBILITY To be eligible to participate in the ISU Mascot Program, the following eligibility requirements must be met. Each mascot must Be presently enrolled as a full-time student at Iowa State University, maintaining a minimum of 12 credits each semester Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 throughout his/her mascot career Provide proof of insurance, medical and vehicle, at tryouts Provide a current physical, good for the whole year, before starting appearances ATTITUDE We are looking for people who are hard workers flexible entertaining positive creative responsible healthy athletic good role models winners all-around good people We are NOT looking for people who are whiners or complainers quitters lazy immature negative ACADEMIC POLICY After joining the ISU Spirit Squad, to remain eligible, a mascot must be a full-time student and maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. If a freshman does not earn a 2.0 grade point average in their first semester at ISU, they have until the end of the second semester to raise their grade point average to a 2.0. If they fail to meet the 2.0 grade point average requirement, they will not be allowed to tryout for the following season. If a mascot fails to fulfill their grade requirements, they will be dismissed from the squad immediately, and will not be allowed to practice with the team. An official notice will be mailed to the mascot and an invitation to appeal the decision will be offered. APPEARANCES As a representative of Iowa State University, the mascot will portray the proper image of a traditional collegiate mascot at all appearances. Cy is requested at numerous
appearances throughout the year. A mascot needs to be willing to sign-up for many of the appearances and be there ready-to-go and on time. As a team member, a mascot MUST do their part to make the Mascot Program work. Be aware that mascoting can be time-consuming, however, if everyone does their part, it should be feasible for everyone. If a team member fails to meet these requirements, disciplinary action will be taken by the coach and at the discretion of the coach. The following guidelines will be enforced at appearances and practices: While portraying Cy, mascots must not be heard speaking The full Cy uniform must be in place at all times in public While portraying Cy at games, mascots must not interfere with the game in any way or interact with the officials Mascots must approve all props and skits with the coach All mascots need to be at home football and men and women s basketball games At least one mascot needs to be at every break game. Mascots are expected not to perform any material that may be unsuitable, including content that is violent or sexual in nature; no crowd-surfing TRAVEL Selection of a travel squad will be selected by the coach and will be based on the following criteria, primarily: Appearance points the mascots who attend the most appearances are considered first for travel And secondarily, Seniority Performance Parental permission is required, in writing and at least two weeks in advance, in order to request traveling separately from away events. CHAIN OF COMMAND If an issue arises, the team member should discuss it with the coach. The issue is handled within the coach s discretion. Under no circumstances are parents of team members to contact ISU staff or faculty. Parents are not consulted or invited to become involved with the workings and/or policies of the program. If any parent/mascot disregards this rule, disciplinary action will be taken. The buck stops with the coach. CONDUCT ISU mascots take on the role of university representative. They are highly visible symbols of Iowa State University, and thus, must conduct themselves at all times, in and out of uniform, with class and dignity. They should be law-abiding citizens and do nothing that would bring embarassment to the coach, their teammates, Athletic Department, or the university as a whole. Selection as an ISU mascot is a prestigious honor, so act accordingly. Team members are subject to all rules and regulations set by the university as they pertain to alcohol and other drugs. Additionally, the following are reasons for immediate dismissal from the squad: Attending any practice, performance, game or appearance under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
Habitual alcohol or substance abuse Drinking/drug use (including tobacco) in public while representing ISU at sanctioned events Possession of illegal drugs/substances No drugs or alcohol will be consumed the morning of, in transit to, or from any home or away game or appearance No alcohol or other drug use is allowed during travel Additional rules include: No swearing or innappropriate language, story-telling or innuendo shall be used while in uniform. ISU mascots need to maintain a professional manner while in uniform at all times. Other people, including children, are oftentimes close enough to hear what you are saying! Sexual harassment, or any other harassment based on sexual orientation, race, religion, or gender, will not be tolerated and should be reported to the coach immediately No fraternization with other athletes/trainers besides polite and cordial interaction on road trips, including within cheersquad (i.e. females and males may not share rooms) Mascot members should show proper respect to the coaches and captains. Insubordination will not be tolerated Team members are not allowed to loan out the Cy costume or any other garment that advertises ISU mascot squad in any way, or wear the suit for personal use When fulfilling your role as an ISU mascot, attention shall be given first to fans and not to other members of the squad, your family or friends. The coach and Athletic Department reserve the right to dismiss any team member for noncompliance FUNDRAISING In order to maintain, develop and assist our program, fundraising is necessary throughout the year. Each mascot MAY be expected to follow all fundraising mandates. If new suits or other accessories need to be purchased, the funds will be taken from the mascot account. IF there is no money there, nothing will be purchased. Fundraising is strongly encouraged for mascots. See below the fundraising expectation for the cheersquad. T-shirts sales: Each cheersquad member will be expected to sell at least 80 t-shirts If a cheerleader does not turn in the total amount for the t-shirts to the coach by a specified date, the cheerleader is responsible for returning the remainder of the t- shirts to the coach, or they must pay, out of pocket, the remaining balance of the t-shirts. If the team expectation is to compete at nationals, cheerleaders are expected to fundraise the WHOLE amount. IT IS AN EXPECTATION THAT ALL T-SHIRTS ARE SOLD! Calendar sales: Each cheerleader is expected to secure at least two individuals or businesses to sponsor the spirit calendar Each cheerleader is expected to sell at least 60 calendars If a cheerleader does not turn in the total amount for the calendars to the coach by a specified date, the cheerleader is responsible for returning the remainder of
the calendars to the coach, or must pay, out of pocket, the remaining balance for the calendars. If the team expectation is to go to nationals, cheerleaders are expected to fundraise the whole amount. IT IS AN EXPECTATION THAT ALL CALENDARS ARE SOLD! Appearances: Team members will be asked to sign-up for appearances For each appearance, the mascot squad account earns revenue For each appearance, a mascot receives 10 points EXPENSES Team members are responsible for the following items (app. costs): Summer camp 300.00 (camp is optional for mascots, but encouraged) Campwear 130.00 (if attending camp) Nike Package 20.00 Incidentals Team members may choose to purchase additional apparel/gear not included in these basic expenses. YOUR PLEDGE AND OBLIGATION As a member of the Iowa State University Mascot squad, I have fully read and understand the contents of the ISU Mascot Constitution. I know what is expected of me personally and as a member of the squad. My expectations of myself are rivaled only be my expectations of my teammates. I will keep myself knowledgable and informed of team rules and understand the consequences of unacceptable behavior and inappropriate actions may be severe. I will do all that I can to uphold the honor and tradition of Iowa State University and the ISU Athletic Department, and respect my coaches, teammates, university personnel and all persons associated with school spirit at all times. Signed Parent Signature (if under 18) Please cut off the pledge slip, sign and return to the coach. Date Date