2002-2003 Purdue Cheerleading Purdue University cheerleaders will adhere to certain standards of academic achievement, conduct, responsibility, health habits, and dress. Standards are also established for public appearances, traveling, the selection process and expectations placed upon them as representatives of Purdue University and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. It is your responsibility to read and understand said standards. Once you have read and completely understand the standards, please sign the attached document and bring it with you to the tryout. I. Program Structure A. Purdue University is an institution that demands academic excellence. Your academic commitment to Purdue will take priority over your cheerleading commitment. Your cheerleading commitment should be placed second. B. You will be required to attend practices, games, and appearances during academic and holiday breaks. The commitment you make to the Purdue Cheerleading Program cannot be emphasized enough so please consider the time, effort, and compromises you will be asked to make and expected to uphold throughout the entire year. C. The cheerleading program at Purdue University receives funding, academic support, and training support from the athletic department. There is little to no cost to the participants in the program. II. Squad Description A. There will be one squad with all members of the squad considered varsity athletes. The squad will be responsible for promoting enthusiasm, inspiration, motivation and entertainment primarily at Purdue s four revenue-producing sports: volleyball, football, and men s and women s basketball. B. Scheduling of events is the responsibility of the coach and will be based on seniority, skill, attitude and crowd appeal. III. Selection Procedure A. All potential candidates for the squad must be enrolled in Purdue Classes prior to tryouts and must show proof of enrollment. B. The length of season for Purdue Cheerleading is from the time of selection until the following tryout. C. Tryouts for the 2002-2003 Cheerleading Squad will consist of first and second cuts. D. First Cuts 1. Tumbling a. Standing Back Tuck b. Standing Back Handspring Back c. Toe Touch Back d. 1 Optional Running Tumbling Pass 2. Partner Stunts a. Toss Chair b. 1 Optional Partner Stunt 3. Dance - Ladies a. 3 to 5 8 count dance b. Learned the day of 1 st Cuts 4. Megaphone Routine Gentlemen a. 3 8 Count Megaphone Routine to a Band Cadence b. Learned the day of 1 st cuts E. Second Cuts 1. Repeat all criteria from first cuts. 2. Interview with the coach and a panel to be determined by the coach.
3. Demonstrate cheering ability by choreographing motions, words, and crowd involvement elements to a band chant that will be determined by the coach. 4. Second cuts will be run much like a practice session. You may be asked to attempt pyramids, cadences, and stunts in order to judge your overall potential. F. Try-Out Dates 1. 1 st Cuts a. Saturday, April 20 th b. 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM 2. 2 nd Cuts a. Saturday, April 20 th & Sunday, April 21st b. Saturday, 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM; Sunday, 1:00 PM 8:00 PM G. Judging Panel 1. The coach and graduating seniors from the program will judge first cuts. 2. The coach, Purdue cheerleading alumni and a panel to be determined by the coach will judge second cuts. 3. The final selection of squad members rests solely with the coach. IV. Program Policies A. Academic Requirements 1. Only full-time undergraduate students attending the West Lafayette campus of Purdue University may cheer. 2. Student athletes must carry and maintain a minimum of 12 hours of undergraduate study each semester. A graduating senior may carry fewer hours upon approval of the coach. 3. Our Program follows the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics standards for academic achievement. a. Your cumulative GPA at the end of your first semester freshman year must be 1.65. b. Your cumulative GPA at the end of second semester freshman year must be 1.80, and 24 hours must be completed toward your degree. c. Your cumulative GPA at the end of first semester sophomore year must be 1.80. d. Your cumulative GPA at the end of second semester sophomore year must be 1.9, and 51 hours must be completed toward your degree. e. Your cumulative GPA at the end of first semester junior year must be 2.0, and 78 hours must be completed toward your degree. f. Your cumulative GPA at the end of first semester senior year must be 2.0. g. Fifth year seniors must have a 2.0 and 105 hours completed toward your degree. 4. Our program has 20 book waivers available with the possibility of more. a. Waivers will be given according to GPA first and seniority second. b. Veteran s cumulative GPA must be 2.3 in order to be considered for a waiver. c. Freshmen must come into the program with a 2.5 core GPA in order to be considered for a book waiver. 5. Study Table Requirements a. Incoming freshmen will be required to attend the athletic study table lab in IAF 8 hours per week. i. The coach receives a printout of hours logged each week. ii. If study table hours are not met you will be suspended from cheering all games and performances the following week. iii. If you achieve a GPA of 3.0 your first semester you will not be required to attend study tables the following semester. b. If a veteran s cumulative GPA falls below a 2.3, they will be required to attend 5 hours of study tables per week during the following semester. 6. Academic Services a. We are privileged to receive academic services through the athletic department. b. We are assigned an academic counselor who is available to help with scheduling problems, class choices, and career counseling. c. Tutors are available for all classes and paid for by the athletic department. d. Grade checks are done three times per semester.
B. Skill Requirements 1. Athletes must sustain skills demonstrated at tryouts. a. You will sign a skills assessment sheet designating skills to be maintained and skills designated as goals. This agreement sheet will be signed with the coach during the tryout interview. b. Skills assessments will take place a minimum of two times per semester. i. These assessments are to ensure squad and personal goals, to ensure proper improvement, and to ensure fairness to all team members. ii. Assessment days will be announced in advance along with skills to be assessed. You will be given two attempts to complete the skill at the time of assessment. Failing to maintain skills will result in suspension from games and performances. 2. Athletes will be required to learn core material to our program prior to the start of precamp in late July via videotape and or summer practices. a. Material on the video will be assessed the first day of precamp. b. Failure to know material will result in suspension from the first football game, volleyball game and/or performance. 3. Athletes will be required to attend a Strength and Conditioning hour 3 times per week in the IAF weight room in addition to scheduled practices. a. A time-block is provided through the athletic academic services. b. The strength coach designs personalized workouts. Workout forms must be filled out and signed for each day in the weight room. C. Attendance Policy 1. Athletes will arrive on time to all events and practices. a. Between 1 and 5 minutes late (Grace period): I will be using this 5 minutes for announcements, scheduling, etc. You are responsible for any and all information that is given during this 5 minutes. If you miss pertinent information because you were late and it results in you having to ask me and or you missing an event, your lateness just moved to 5 or more (see below). If you are 1 to 5 minutes late 3 times, you have now tapped my graciousness and have 1, 5 or more, and any lateness thereafter, regardless of time, is now considered 5 or more. If you come in late, come in without disrupting the group! b. 5 or More Minutes late: Accumulating 3 will result in suspension from the squad for an amount of time to be determined by the coach and/or seniors, with the possibility of removal from the squad. c. Consequences i. 1 to 5 minutes late: You owe 2x the number of minutes you were late in tucks. Example: 3 mins. late = 6 tucks. ii. 5 or More: You now owe the tucks, plus 2x are the number of minutes late in laps around Mollenkopf or whichever facility we are practicing in. Example: 8 mins. late = 16 tucks and 16 laps. iii. All will be completed after the practice you are late for or the next practice after the event you are late for. 2. Athletes will be at all mandatory events and practices, unless you have given the coach prior knowledge either by submitting an excuse form, or calling in the case of illness. a. Missing 1 practice will result in 20 tucks, 20 laps and the loss of three upcoming events to be determined by the coach and/or the seniors b. Missing 2 practices will result in immediate suspension from the squad for an amount of time to be determined by the coach and/or the seniors, with the possibility of removal from the squad. c. Missing 1 event will result in immediate suspension from the squad for an amount of time to be determined by the coach and/or the seniors, with the possibility of removal from the squad. d. Missing 2 events will result in removal from the squad. 3. Athletes will wear the correct, designated attire to all events and practices. a. Violating this rule 1 time will have the same consequence as being 3 minutes late.
b. Violating this rule 2 times will have the same result as being 10 minutes late. c. Violating this rule 3 times will have the same result as missing 1 practice. d. Violating this rule more than three times will result in suspension from the squad for an amount of time to be determined by the coach and/or the seniors with the possibility of removal from the squad. D. Image 1. Image is everything! The way you present yourself also represents the others in the program. If you want to be treated as athletes, then you will behave accordingly. 2. If you train nonchalantly, react inappropriately in practice, games, etc., maintain poor eating habits, or treat others with disrespect then you are projecting an undesired image. 3. Monitor what you say and do in and out of uniform. You are not a regular student on the campus of Purdue University and cannot do as you please. 4. Making poor decisions leaves the coach with no choice but to make decisions regarding discipline and your future in the program. 5. You are a Purdue cheerleader every minute of every day, and you will be reminded of this often. Accept it or withdraw from the program. 6. The image issue includes but is not limited to: a. Behavior in classes b. Tone of voice you use with others c. The body language you use while around others d. The language you choose to use e. Behavior during travel f. Behavior when using facilities g. Behavior while dining out (Remember, there are adults as well as children who recognize you in public.) D. Conduct 1. It cannot be stressed enough the cheerleaders role as university ambassadors. They are highly visible symbols of Purdue University and, thus, must conduct themselves at ALL times accordingly. They should do nothing that will bring embarrassment to the University, Intercollegiate Athletics, their coach or advisor, and, most importantly, to themselves and to their families. 2. Selection as a cheerleader is a privilege, and appropriate conduct is required. The following rules apply: a. No smoking or smokeless tobacco chewing during practices or while in uniform, attending receptions, traveling to and from games or functions and away game trips, and never in the vicinity of the hotel in which we are staying. b. No alcoholic beverages will be consumed in the hotel while on trips by anyone, regardless of age. c. Any arrests made will be dealt with on an individual basis. d. Each disciplinary situation will be dealt with individually. e. It is important that the general public not be aware of your status as a cheerleader if you are in establishments whose main purpose is to serve alcohol (unless you are serving in an official capacity such as pregame parties etc.) f. When acting in the capacity as cheerleader, attention should first be given to the fans and not other members of the squad or your friends and family. If you pass by someone and don t speak, you give the impression of being rude; we do not want that image and you need to work to prevent this from happening. Your body language and facial expressions speak much louder than your words! E. Health Habits and Dress 1. Each person is to practice good personal hygiene and be well groomed. 2. Male squad members will not shave their heads nor grow facial hair that will be visible for events. You will always be clean-shaven for events (if it appears you are not, you will shave before performing/appearing). No ponytails or hairstyles that are not conservative. If you have any doubts, check with the coach.
3. Females will perform with their hair pulled half-up with a white ribbon no smaller than one and a half-inch in width. No two-inch ribbons for an event unless agreed upon by all girls involved in the event. Likewise, you will not have any part of your head shaved. Makeup will be used conservatively in order to maintain a clean-cut appearance for our fans. 4. Neither males nor females will be allowed to wear any type of jewelry during events or practices unless it is for religious or medical reasons. 5. Tattoos may not be visible while in uniform. 6. Travel attire will be discussed before trips, events or appearances. 7. Eating in uniform is limited to times when we are acting in official Purdue cheerleading capacity. The coach will identify these situations. You must always ask permission prior to eating in uniform. 8. Cheerleaders will not wear Purdue cheerleading clothing into an establishment whose main purpose is to provide alcohol to its patrons. 9. Cheerleaders will not loan Purdue cheerleading clothing to anyone without knowing what the borrower intends to do with the clothing. Do not give away any cheerleading clothing from the current or immediately previous seasons without asking the coach first. 10. The shoes you are provided are to be worn during the practices and event/appearances only until the season is completed. If your shoes look like they have become too worn from use outside of official event/appearance, you will have to provide another pair at your own expense. The same circumstances apply if you lose your shoes. You pay for another pair. 11. Items to be purchased by squad members will be decided upon by the coach and the incoming senior class. F. Awards 1. Varsity awards are awarded at the completion of an entire season. The coach does a worksheet listing the award each athlete is eligible for. The worksheet then goes to compliance which does an audit of years of service, class standing, school and hometown. 2. Once the athletic director and coach sign the final approved awards list, the athlete may receive their award. 3. Plaques have to be ordered so the athlete must sign up for one in the Mackey Arena equipment room. 4. Senior rings are ordered in late January or early February and presented during the Senior Salute to all senior athletes at the Trails in April of each year. 5. Blankets and jackets are usually in stock in the equipment room, if they are ordered for you. 6. Awards are as follows: First year Varsity Plaque Second Year.. Varsity Jacket Third Year..Varsity Blanket Fourth year.senior Ring (or watch if you choose G. National Competitions 1. A national competition squad will be selected if such competition becomes a goal for the cheerleaders and coach. Typically, more males will be selected for the national team due to the amount and quality of strength needed to perform a national caliber routine. 2. The decision as to who travels with the Nationals team is up to the coach and can include all team members or just those competing. H. Anything not covered in this document is left to the discretion of the program coach.
Sue Bayley Jan Winger Purdue Cheer Coach Cheer Advisor Room 15 Mackey Arena Room 15 Mackey Arena 765-494-0118 765-494-3202 sbayley@purdue.edu jewinger@purdue.edu
Purdue University Cheerleading 2002-2003 Policy and Procedure Acceptance Form Name: Parent s Name: Home Address: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Campus Address: Campus Phone: Email Address: I have read the policies and procedures and understand the expectations and requirements of the Purdue Cheerleading Program. My signature on this form indicates that I accept all of the policies and procedures and will adhere to all expectations if chosen as a member of the squad. Signature of Cheer Candidate Date