Thank you for your interest in the cheerleading squad at Missouri Western State University. We are very excited to have you continue a long tradition of individuals who have chosen Missouri Western State University to further their education. We are even more excited that you have considered continuing the tradition with the Missouri Western State University Cheerleading Squad.
The cheerleading squad serves as one of the most visible student groups on campus. We take pride in the role of University ambassadors, not only through athletic events, but also through the community. The upcoming school year is going to be a year in which we build on our foundation of high standards of excellence and leadership. We have the privilege to cheer on our Football team at Spratt Memorial Stadium and we also cheer for the Men's and Women's Basketball teams at Looney Sports Complex.
Tryouts will be held April 30th and May 1st, at which time we will be selecting the squad for the 2021-2022 school year. All of the items needed to tryout are on the tryout information sheet included in this packet. Preceding the tryout date, we will host two additional tryout clinics. The dates for all clinics are on the Information Sheet. The information contained in this packet is everything you need to know to tryout for the Missouri Western State University Cheerleading Squad. If you have any questions regarding any of the information contained on the following pages or have any questions regarding anything related to Missouri Western State University, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Arielle Potter
Head Cheerleading Coach
(417) 569-2646
Aziegler1@missouriwestern.edu
2021-2022 Missouri Western Cheerleading Tryout Information Sheet 2021 Tryout Clinics:
Sunday, April 18th Looney Sports Complex, Main Gym – 3-6pm
Sunday, April 25th Looney Sports Complex, Main Gym – 3-6pm
Tryout Clinics and Informational Meetings:
● Participants may attend as many of the clinics as they want. Registration for all clinics starts 30 minutes prior to start time stated above.
● The tryout clinics are specifically designated to help with group stunting, co-ed partner stunting, standing tumbling, running tumbling, Missouri Western fight song and a few Missouri Western crowd-leading cheers. Participants also benefit by personally meeting with the coach and learning first-hand information about the tryout process.
● Each clinic will conclude with an informational session, which will be designed to cover all information regarding tryouts, the benefits of being on the squad, what to expect if you make the squad and the standard of conduct for the Missouri Western Cheerleading Squad.
To participate in the tryout clinics you must have:
1. Signed Release Form* – (tryout participants under the age of 18 must also have the form signed by a parent/guardian) – due at the first clinic you attend
2. Photocopy of health insurance card* – due at the first clinic you attend
*These are required for participation in all clinics, no exceptions. Returning MWSU Cheerleaders must turn in all of these required items for the 2021-2022 tryouts.
Proper attire is required for all participants:
Ladies: cheer shoes, spandex, shorts, sports bra & t-shirt
Guys: tennis shoes, shorts & t-shirt
General Tryout Information – 2021-2022 Cheerleading Tryouts
● All participants will tryout in person on April 30th and May 1st. No videotaped or arranged tryouts will take place, unless previously arranged and approved by the coach.
● There will be three selection rounds. Interviews will take place Friday night, April 30th and semi finals will take place the next morning, May 1st, with finals to follow that afternoon.
● All tryout events are closed to the public. Only those trying out will be allowed in the facility. ● Final selection of the 2021-2022 squad members will be made on Saturday May 1, 2021. ● The new squad will stay after tryouts on Saturday for a new squad orientation and short practice. ● All participants' evaluations are based on how they perform each individual skill, but they are also
evaluated on how much potential they have to become a collegiate cheerleader and contribute to the squad.
Tryout Eligibility:
1. Submit all required clinic items: Signed Release Form and Photocopy of Health Insurance Card (front & back) – due at the first clinic you attend
2. Submit a signed and completed MWSU Cheerleading Tryout Application – Due April 30, 2021 at 6pm 3. Submit a recent wallet size photo of yourself – attach to application – Due April 30, 2021 at 6pm 4. Submit a letter of recommendation from a coach, teacher, mentor, etc. – Due April 30, 2021 at 6pm 5. Incoming freshman and transfer students: show proof of acceptance to Missouri Western State University for Fall 2021 – due April 30, 2021 at 6pm.
6. Current MWSU students: provide a photocopy of your current Spring 2021 & Fall 2021 schedules & a printout of your unofficial grades/transcript from your goldlink – Due April 30, 2021 at 6pm 7. Pay the $20 tryout fee (make checks payable to Missouri Western Cheerleading) – Due April 30, 2021 at 6pm.
8. All tryout participants and squad members must meet the academic requirements to tryout, and maintain the academic requirements to stay on the squad. Students must maintain 12 credit hours per semester and have an overall GPA of at least 2.0.
Tryout Location & Parking:
Tryouts will be held in the main arena of Looney Sports Complex on Missouri Western's campus. Campus address is 4525 Downs Drive Saint Joseph, Missouri 64507. The closest available parking is to the West of the complex. Handicap parking is available on both the West and East sides of the complex. A handicap-parking permit is required.
Lodging/Accommodations:
Drury Inn
4213 Frederick Blvd. St. Joseph, Mo 64506
816-364-4700
Stoney Creek Inn
1201 N Woodbine Rd. St. Joseph, Mo 64506
816-901-9600
Holiday Inn Express
3600 N Village Dr. St. Joseph, Mo 64506
816-232-2500
Candlewood Suites
3505 N Village Dr. St. Joseph, Mo 64506
816-232-2600
Radisson
102 S 3rd St. St. Joseph, Mo 64501
816-279-8000
Tryout Agreement and Performance Contract:
All individuals participating in the tryout process will sign a statement agreeing to the final decision of the coaches and judging panel, and will acknowledge that the judges' decision is final and that no further recourse is warranted. The contract also includes an agreement to follow the University Code of Conduct and fulfill each requirement stated therein to receive the stated benefits of squad membership. Under the agreement, squad members also agree that if they terminate membership on the squad at any point prior to the completion of the entire season, that all expenses and benefits provided on their behalf by the University are to be paid back by them in full to the University. This includes, but is not limited to, quitting the team, being removed from the team by the coach, and/or losing academic eligibility.
Required Summer Practices and Events:
All individuals who make the squad must return to campus on several occasions over the summer for practices, to attend camp, and for various fundraisers. These dates will be published as early as possible. Attendance at these events is mandatory.
Tryout Skills Guide:
Not all candidates will have all the skills listed below. This listing is provided to give you an idea of what we are looking for in an ideal tryout candidate. Being able to perform all of the skills listed below does not guarantee that you will be accepted for the squad.
Tumbling (all tumbling will be performed on a cheer floor)
● Standing back handspring
● Standing back tuck
● Standing back handspring tuck
● Running Tumbling Pass (round-off back handspring tuck)
Stunts
● Required Stunt: Extended heel stretch full down (This will be executed with a group chosen by the coaches)
● Optional Stunt: any stunt you wish to execute
Examples of favorable stunts:
● Full up to an extended target/awesome, liberty, and/or heel stretch
● Double down from an extended heel stretch or arabesque
● Low-High to extended liberty or heel stretch
Sideline/Collegiate Image/Traditions
● Cheer (this will be taught at both clinics preceding tryouts)
● Missouri Western State University Fight Song (this will be taught at both clinics preceding tryouts) ● A personal interview with the judges/coaches will also be part of the evaluation process
Tryout Appearance Standards
General Standards:
● Tryout participants may not wear apparel that identifies them with a particular squad or school. No high school or all-star squad apparel or competition shirts will be allowed.
● Generic apparel or apparel with just the Missouri Western logo is recommended. ● No jewelry. No earrings, tongue rings, nose rings, necklaces, belly button rings, bracelets… no jewelry of any kind is permitted at tryouts, tryout clinics, or any practice, appearance or performance throughout the year. These standards are in accordance with the USA Cheer College Safety Rules, and following these rules at all times is mandatory.
Tryout Attire:
Ladies:
Black, White or Grey Sports Bra
Plain white shirt
Black shorts and/or black spandex
Cheer Shoes
Hair should be half up with a white bow
Hair and makeup should project a collegiate image
Guys:
Plain white t-shirt
Black shorts
Tennis shoes
