No! Our squad utilizes cheerleaders of all sizes for their unique strengths. Yes, we need small girls on top, but we also need strong cheerleaders underneath for elite group stunts, college pyramids, and baskets!
Yes! Scholarships at MSSU for Cheerleading are awarded on years of service to the squad. The more years of your college career you devote to us, the larger your scholarship amount! First year members receive $250/semester, sendond years $500/semester, third years $750/semester, and fourth years and beyond receive $1000/semester. Captains receive an additional $500/semester on top of their base scholarship.
Yes! Everyone must tryout again to earn their spot back on the squad.
Results for the 2021-2022 squad will be posted within an hour of the conclusion of tryouts on Sunday, June 13th. Those earning a spot on the squad will be required to stay that afternoon for their first team practice and uniform fittings.
Requirements for the 2021-2022 squad are multifaceted. In terms of academics, the incoming freshman or transfer student must be able to show proof of acceptance to MSSU. All athletes who earn a spot on the squad must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA, be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours, and pass at least 9 of these each semester. All athletes must show proof of insurance at tryouts and must maintain insurance coverage for the entire year. In terms of skills required, we will be requiring a J-up extension with a two-count pop off, a solid one-legged stunt of your choice with a full down, a shoulder stand in either position, and an optional stunt of your choosing. We also require each athlete to run a 10-minute mile on an outdoor track. In addition to solid, basic college stunts and excellent sideline cheering ability, we also look for coachability, commitment, and a good work ethic.
Squad members are required to wear matching t-shirts and spanx to most practices, a collegiate polo/short outfit to most community events, and an official school-provided uniform or warm-up to all games. Uniforms are both full length and crop top and are worn with bodyliners at all times, weather permitting.
For the summer of 2021, we do plan on UCA Home Camp in August, before school starts. Those dates will be announced in June at tryouts and Home Camp is required to maintain your position on the squad. There will be no other traditional work weeks this summer as in years past due to Covid and the ever-changing rules and guidelines it presents to our university and our sport.
Time commitment throughout the year is great. We have team practice twice/week with team workouts twice/week as well. Games average once/week during football season with some Saturdays off and twice/week during basketball season. Community and campus events average out to once a week as well. For UCA Nationals, the Nationals Squad will be required to have two-a-day practices over Christmas break (you will have Christmas and New Years off) in preparation for Nationals. We travel to KC for the MIAA Basketball tournament in March each year, and if our teams advance to the NCAA tournament, we follow them there as well. Cheerleaders cannot make Spring Break plans due to the possibility of the NCAA tournament. You are excused from classes due to cheer in these tournament circumstances.
Absolutely! While it is not easy, it is possible to work a part time job, carry 12 credit hours, and cheer as well if you are a strong, motivated, organized athlete. That being said, your job must be worked around cheer, not the other way around.
For the 2021-2022 squad, we will accept no more than 28 athletes. We will have no minimum athlete requirement.
Yes! We will be competing at UCA Nationals in Florida in January of 2023. We finished in 11th place in the Open All Girl Gameday Division in 2020 and have BIG goals to place top 5 in 2022!
Currently it costs about $500 for an incoming athlete to cheer, and about $300 for a veteran athlete. This cost includes summer camp, shoes, practice attire, and your polo/short outfit. We hope to be completely fund these costs for our athletes in the coming years! Fundraisers are held throughout the year to help offset these costs. Traveling to Nationals in future years will be an added expense and discussed with the 2021-2022 squad in the summer of 2021.