Wayland Baptist University

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Tryout Information for 2008

General Information:

The Wayland Baptist University Cheer Team is usually composed of 12 females and 8 males. This number may change depending on the level of talent at tryouts. The main purpose of the tryout process is to select the best overall individuals for the WBU cheerleading team. When selecting the team we are looking for individuals that are loyal and dedicated, able to communicate with others, demonstrate proper technical skills, have excellent athletic abilities, positive attitude, and exhibit poise under pressure.

There is definitely an advantage to trying out in person:

Trying out in person will show that you are committed to attending the University. This also gives you a chance to meet the coach and team members of WBU. The "Big Weekend" tryout process includes two days of clinics. You will most likely be paired up with a stunt partner at this time. At the actual tryout, you will be judged on your partner stunt, gymnastic skills, motions (placement and sharpness), a short dance, showmanship/ poise, attitude, as well as your performance of the newly learned material. The tryout process will also include an interview process. The Head Coach / Advisor will select the members of the WBU team by using the judges scores along with their own evaluations made over the entire tryout process (and over the past year for returnees).

It is preferred, but not necessary to tryout in person. If you are unable to be at Big Weekend for tryouts please refer to the video tryout section.

General Tryout Requirements:

Must be a full-time student for the 2008-2009 school year.
Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Must not graduate before May 2009.
Must attend high school camp hosted by Wayland in late July. (if unable to attend, absence must be approved by the coach.)
Must attend summer camp and activities in mid-August.
Must be present at tryouts or have video sent in by tryout date.
All tryout material will be taught at the clinic in late March 2008. (Video tryouts, look below for more information.)

Tryout Attire:

Female Cheerleaders:

Appropriate cheer shoes, navy cheer shorts and bloomers(tights are also acceptable), white athletic top or tight t-shirt (no loose fitting clothes), and hair pulled back.

Male Cheerleaders:

Appropriate shoes, navy athletic shorts, and white t-shirt

Minimum Requirements:

Jumps:

Three jumps will be required. A toe touch must be one of the three jumps performed. Whip toe touches will be judged as one jump, but will be graded as a higher difficulty. Other jumps accepted will be:

Additional Toe Touch (recommended)
Right Herkie
Left Herkie
Right Front Hurdler
Left Front Hurdler
Pike (recommended)

Chant:

You will be judged on the following:

Voice projection
Motion placement and sharpness
Crowd Involvement

Tumbling:

Right now WBU has no tumbling requirements. Any tumbling performed will be judged and scored. Those without tumbling will not receive a score for this section.

Dance:

You will be judged on the following:

Knowledge
Enthusiasm
Motion Placement
Rhythm

Stunt:

*Note: We do not have an all-girl squad, therefore we encourage all girls to fly. If you would rather base than fly you will still be judged on your skills as a base, but your score will reflect your inability to fly coed partner stunts.

Female Candidates:

Toss hands
Purdue up shoulder stand
Extended stunt

Male Candidates:

Hands (Toss hands, walk up, assisted hands, etc.. Potential for toss hands must be demonstrated over the course of the tryout process.)
Purdue up shoulder stand
Extended stunt

Male and Female Candidates:

After the required stunts, show any other stunts you are able to do safely. It will be in your best interest to include any other stunts that show various levels of difficulty.

Interview:

Each candidate will have a 3-5 min. interview to determine character and willingness to work hard as a WBU cheerleader. The interview is a very important part of the tryout process.

Video Tryouts:

You will be expected to perform the above mentioned requirements in your video and will be judged along the same guidelines as posted above. Please perform in the following order:

General Information: Please write you name, home address, phone number, and name of the high school or college you are currently attending on the your tape/DVD cover.
Personal Interview: Please explain briefly what you feel you can contribute as a member of the WBU Cheerleading Team. Also, please give a brief testimony of your faith and how you feel Christ can be glorified through WBU Cheerleading.
Chant: Perform a chant of your choice.
Tumbling: Perform any and all standing and running tumbling in this portion. A spot may be used, but scores will reflect the use of a spot.
Partner Stunts: If you are a top flyer and only have access to female bases try to do similar stunts as listed above. We will try to assess your potential for coed stunting. Showing your ability for full downs is recommended.
Dance: Perform an individual dance routine of your choice. We will be looking at sharpness of motions and presentation. Approximately 30 seconds.
Jumps: Perform three jumps with at least one being a toe touch.
Optional: Add any other abilities that you feel would help the judges assess your abilities. Please limit this section to less than 2 minutes.