1 Palm Beach Atlantic University Cheerleading Squad Rules and Regulations PHILOSOPHY: All cheerleaders are to uphold a Christian attitude, promote school spirit, and encourage the student body to take pride in Palm Beach Atlantic University. They will lead and direct the student body at sporting events and school events, encourage good sportsmanship among students and adults, promote a positive spirit among the crowd, build good relationships between PBA and other schools, and uphold high cheerleading and personal standards. ELIGIBILITY: To tryout for cheerleading and remain on the squad you must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 un-weighted scales. You must abide by the rules of PBA, along with the rules the coaches have set for the cheerleading squad. All paperwork required to tryout must be turned in before the first tryout clinic. If selected to be on the squad, all forms must stay updated, and a current physical is absolutely mandatory. Every squad member is required to be present at all practices, games, and any other events. UNIFORMS: If you lose any part of your uniform, you must let the coaching staff know ASAP. You will be expected to purchase or re-purchase anything that you lose. You are responsible to keep up with all of your items at all times. Please do not place any polyester uniforms in the dryer. Please do not tailor any uniforms without approval. You are not to wear your uniform to any unscheduled event without permission. At the end of each year, each cheerleader is responsible for turning in all issued equipment prior to tryouts. If a cheerleader chooses not to finish the year, all issued equipment must be turned in immediately. If equipment is not returned or is returned damaged, a university hold will be placed on the students account. Squad members are required to pay $200 in dues in the beginning of the fall semester. A portion of $50 is a uniform deposit that will be given back to the squad member once all equipment is turned in at the end of the season. APPEARENCE: Uniforms AND shoes must be spotlessly clean at all times. Jewelry must never be worn during games or practices. Your fingernails must not go past the tips of your fingers. Only clear polish may be worn at games or other scheduled events that
2 require a formal uniform. Your hair must be neat and out of your face, in the style that is asked to be worn for the event. ATTENDENCE: It is the responsibility of each member to attend all practices, games, events, and other scheduled activities. Since cheerleading is a team activity that relies on the cooperation, teamwork and the participation of each member on the team to work with each other, it is imperative and a key success factor that each member plan enough time so they are not late to scheduled practices, games, or events. CONDUCT: A cheerleader must cooperate with the captains, coach, administrators, and game officials, as well as other squad members. During games, practices, and school events cheerleaders must appear enthusiastic, well groomed, and in proper attire. A cheerleader is expected to display a Christian attitude and show maturity and sound judgment in and out of school. You may not miss a game or practice unless you have been excused to. If you are unable to be at a cheerleading function, you must submit an Excused Absence Form (EAF) to the coach or captain two weeks in advance. At that point it will be reviewed and approved by the coach. If an EAF has not been submitted or approved, said absence will be considered unexcused, and you will be subject to discipline for the absence. If you are suspended from a game by your coach or captain, you must still attend the game or event in uniform and sit with the coaches. If a cheerleader has a job, it must not interfere with the responsibilities of his/her duties. Work is not an excuse to miss any event at any time. It is the cheerleader s responsibility to report any complaints, concerns, or problems to the coaches and captains. You are not to go to your fellow cheerleaders, friends, or anyone else to discuss your problem. Bringing your problem to the coaching staff is the proper way to get it resolved. Wear required practice attire and cheer shoes to practice. Please turn off your cell phone when you are at games or practices. Do not take practice time to check your cell phone. Cheerleading shoes are to be used only for cheerleading and are not to be worn outside. DISCIPLINE: Infringements of the rules and regulations will result in various forms of discipline decided by the coach and/or administration. Each cheerleader must abide by ALL
3 rules of Palm Beach Atlantic University. Failure to do so will result in discipline. Matters that may require discipline include: 1. Late for practice or performance. 2. Leaving a scheduled event early without notification. 3. Improper clothing. 4. Poor cooperation with the coaches or captain. 5. Unexcused absence from practice or game. 6. Not following procedures set by the coaching staff. 7. Poor attitude. If you have 3 unexcused absences from practice, this will result in 1 unexcused game absence. If you have 3 unexcused game absences you will be dismissed off the squad. GAMES: You are a leader, not an entertainer When not cheering, you are to stand in your assigned position in the manner prescribed. Do not bunch up or walk around talking to teammates, officials, or fans. If you believe you cannot practice for health reasons an athletic trainer or a doctor prior to the game must see you. You still need to attend the game unless dismissed by the coach. All warm-up activities should be performed out of or at least with your back to public view. This includes stretching, warm-up, motions for chants and other routines. You are expected to contribute to solving any problem that presents itself. Confidence and enthusiasm are contagious; therefore, you should always look excited and involved in the game. Do not attempt a stunt that you have not hit with a 100% success during practice and prior to the game. Do not yell, curse or otherwise show negative emotion to officials or fans. Instead start a chant or cheer to redirect energy. Resist both under and over cheering. Compliment and show appreciation to your fans. At all times exhibit good sportsmanship. Your game responsibilities are not over until you are dismissed by the coach. Once dismissed, do not exit the game area until you have policed the area and have taken steps to leave it in a better condition than it was when you entered. PHYSICAL TRAINING: You are expected to participate in physical training that will improve your cheerleading performance. Suggested exercises and programs will be provided for
4 you, but it is up to you to improve your strength, jumping ability, balance, and coordination. In addition you are expected to know all material at all times. INJURIES / ILLNESSES: Any illness or injury shall be reported to the coach immediately. Any injury suffered during practices, games, or official functions will be treated by the University athletics trainers, and/or doctors. Initial expenses for such treatment shall be paid by the squad member s personal insurance. If an injury or illness incapacitates a squad member, he/she shall not be permitted to practice and cheer for a period of time as determined by the trainer or doctor. If a doctor recommends that a squad member should no longer cheer, due to injury or health problems, the squad member shall be removed from the squad. If chronic illness or injury causes a squad member to miss games or practices repeatedly, the squad member may be removed from the squad by the coach and advisor. NUTRITION: 1. As long as you are member of the PBA cheerleading squad you will be required to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy and exercising outside of practices and conditioning. 2. For the summer, you will be required to be self motivated to work out and follow the Work-Out Schedule you will be given and be able to run 1 mile in 9 minutes or less by the start of the fall term. 3. During the fall and spring term, a new Work-Out schedule will be provided and compliance is required. 4. All goals and requirements that are not stated here may be applied throughout the season and you are also required to abide by them.
5 Matthew 18 Please follow Matthew 18:15, A Brother Who Sins Against You: If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. I agree to the rules and regulations of the Palm Beach Atlantic University Cheerleading squad. I also understand that anything that is not stated above that involves rules and regulations of the cheerleading squad may be applied and I will be required to adhere to them. Cheerleader s Signature Date