Tryouts for the 2017-2018 Iowa State Cheer Squad will be held Friday, April 28 th through Sunday, April 30 th at the Bergstrom Indoor Facility. This packet will give you the most complete information in regards to our tryout process. There will also be a tryout open gym on Saturday, April 22 nd 1-3pm for anyone planning on trying out for the team. Squad Expectations We have two to three cheer squads at Iowa State, the Co Ed squad, the Large All Girl squad, and the Small All Girl Squad. Our spring tryouts typically fill all of the available spots for these squads. The decision of having two or three squads and the numbers taken on each vary from year to year depending on our needs. Each person on the squad will cheer: All Home Football games (Co Ed and Large All Girl) About 1/3 of Men s Basketball games (Co Ed and Large All Girl) About 1/3 of Women s Basketball games (Co Ed, Large All Girl, and Small All Girl) Volleyball games and Gymnastics meets (Small All Girl) These squads have mandatory practices 3 times a week and workouts 2 times a week. Being on the squad is a full time commitment and requires successful time-management skills. In order to participate in tryouts, you must bring a copy of your Iowa State Acceptance Letter or Fall Semester Class Schedule and must be committed to enrolling in Iowa State for the Fall 2017 Semester. If you are planning to enroll in the Admissions Partnership Program (APP), please contact Kelli Baker via email to bakerkn@iastate.edu to discuss the necessary proof of enrollment before tryouts. Tryout Format Day One Clinic/Practice This day will be dedicated to meeting people at tryouts, learning the game-day material (Fight Song and Cheer), and getting an opportunity to stunt with all those trying out. This will be the time where each person decides who they will be trying out with for their tryout stunts. Trying out for both Co Ed and All Girl is allowed, and the coaches will place people on the squads that best fit our needs. Each person must show two stunts or stunt sequences (4 total if you want to be considered for Co Ed and All Girl). There will be no scoring during day one. Day Two First Cuts Stunt Portion In the morning session, we will give some time for warming up your decided stunts, and then we will do each person s stunt tryout. Each person must show two stunts or stunt sequences that include the following: Co Ed All Girl Basic: Shoulder Stand Basic: Stretch or Arabesque Full/Double Down Choice Stunt Sequence Choice Stunt Sequence
Day Two First Cuts (continued) Stunt Portion You will be asked to show your basic stunt first, and then you will show your choice stunt. Below is a list of suggested choice stunts, but you are not limited to the skills listed below. You will gather more points by combining a number of these skills to create a stunt sequence with transitional mounts/dismounts. Co Ed All Girl Toss or Walk-in Stunts Switch up to lib, heel stretch, or arabesque One Leg Stunt Variations Tick Tock to lib, heel stretch, or arabesque (Liberty, Heel Stretch, Arabesque) One leg body positions One Arm Stunts Variations (scorpion, scale, bow and arrow, etc.) Full or double twisting dismounts Full or double twisting dismounts Twisting mounts and transitions Twisting mounts and transitions Inverted mounts and dismounts (flipping) Inverted mounts and dismounts (flipping) Tumbling Portion In the evening session, we will give some time for warming up tumbling, and then will proceed to each person s tumbling tryout. Each person must show a jump to standing tumbling skill, a standing tumbling sequence and a running tumbling pass. Below is a list of suggested tumbling skills, but you are not limited to the skills listed. Jumps to Standing Skill Jumps to Standing Tuck Tuck Layout/Full Standing Sequence Single Back Handspring Multiple Back Handsprings Back Handspring Tuck Two Back Handsprings to Tuck/Layout Two Back Handsprings to Full Running Passes Round off Back Handspring Round off Multiple Back Handsprings Running to Tuck/Layout/ Full Specialty to Tuck/Layout/Full Front Walk Over to skill Punch Front to skill Arabian to skill Whips to skill Day Three Game Day/Final Cuts In the morning, we will allow some time to review the game day material (Fight Song and Cheer), and will conduct a short interview of a few questions as to why you would be a good member of the squad. We will then go through each person s Game Day tryout. You will first perform the ISU Fight Song and will then perform the cheer taught while using signs, megaphones, and other props. Results will be posted outside of the tryout facility during the afternoon. Anyone who made the team will be asked to return in the afternoon for the first team meeting to go over all information needed for joining the squad as well as issuing uniforms and other items.
Video Tryout Option If you have a known conflict with the set tryout dates, please email Head Coach, Kelli Baker at bakerkn@iastate.edu as soon as you know of the possible conflict. We do accept video tryouts when necessary, and that information can be found in our video tryout packet linked on our website. What to Wear at Tryouts During day one of tryouts, attire should be clean and athletic. Please wear form fitting clothing with cheer shoes or athletic shoes and have hair up and out of your face. On day two and three of tryouts, ladies should be wearing the following: NO JEWELRY Sports Bra Athletic shorts or spandex Cheerleading shoes or athletic shoes Hair pulled half up with a bow ON SUNDAY, BOW MUST BE WHITE Males should be wearing the following: NO JEWELRY Athletic t-shirt Athletic shorts Athletic shoes These attire restrictions are for your safety, and you will also be scored on Overall Game Day Image, so it is in your best interest to look game day ready. Paperwork for Tryouts Online Tryout Application completed linked on ISU Cheer website Health Insurance Information Affidavit and Release of Liability Form Iowa State Athletic Examination Form completed by doctor within the last year Copy of Acceptance letter from Iowa State University or Fall semester class schedule 2017 Summer Commitments There are a few summer commitments with the squad. Squad members will be required to fill various appearance requests and will be asked to return to Ames for a few sets of practices that will occur on the following dates. Fri, June 9 th Sun, June 11 th Practices/Team Photos (Sun.) Lied Rec Facility Thurs, July 6 th Sunday, July 9 th Practice Week for Season/Camp Lied Rec Facility Saturday, July 29 th Pre Camp Practice Lied Rec Facility Sunday, July 30 th Tuesday, August 1 st NCA College Cheer Camp NWMSU If you have any further questions regarding tryouts, please contact Kelli Baker (Head Cheerleading Coach) by email at bakerkn@iastate.edu or by phone at 515-294-5647.
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY - ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT SPIRIT SQUAD (Mascot Squad, Cheerleading Squad and Dance Team) HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION My name (print clearly): Name of Insurance Company: Policy Number: I certify that I am covered by the above listed insurance company by signing below: Printed Name of Spirit Squad Prospect Signature of Spirit Squad Prospect Date Printed Name of Parent or Guardian* Signature of Parent or Guardian* Date *Must be signed by the Parent or Guardian if the prospect is under the age of 18 years old.
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY - ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT SPIRIT SQUAD (Mascot Squad, Cheerleading Squad and Dance Team) Affidavit and Release of Liability I. RISKS / PRECAUTIONS I, (Your Name), am aware of the substantial risks involved with stunting, gymnastics, cheerleading, dancing, tumbling, and performing in general for all Spirit Squads. I am a healthy person, knowledgeable of the athletic abilities required to become a member of the Iowa State Spirit Squad, and prepared to participate in the tryouts for the Iowa State Spirit Squad. I will take all of the necessary precautions before participating in the Iowa State Spirit Squad Tryouts and during the 2017-2018 season at Iowa State. If an injury should occur, I will take full responsibilities for any medical supervision or care that may be necessary (via Athletics Training procedures & protocol per my Spirit Squad Coach). II. RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY I (Your Name), hereby RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE AND COVENANT NO TO SUE the State of Iowa, the Board of Regents (State of Iowa), Iowa State University, the Athletic Department of Iowa State University, and any of the officers, servants, agents, and employees of the above-mentioned entities (hereafter referred to as RELEASEES) for any liability, claim and/or cause of action arising out of or related to any loss, damage or injury, including death, that occurs as a result of my participation in any activities in conjunction with the Iowa State Spirit Squad Tryouts and during the 2017-2018 season if I am chosen to the Spirit Squad. I agree to INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS the RELEASEES whether injury is caused by my negligence, the negligence of the RELEASEES or the negligence of any third party. I further agree that this Release and Waiver Liability shall bind the members of my family and spouse, if I am alive, and my heirs, assigns and personnel representatives, if I am deceased, and shall be deemed as a RELEASE, WAIVER, DISCHARGE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE the above-named RELEASEES. I have the read the above information in its entirety. I understand that the Iowa State University Athletics or the ISU Spirit Squad is not liable for any injuries sustained in conjunction with an event. I certify that the information I have provided in this application and accompanying documents is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. THEREFORE, I hereby voluntarily give my consent to participating in the Iowa State University Spirit Squads. X Date Participant's Signature X Date (Parent of Guardian Signature required if student is not eighteen years old)