Cheer Tryout Information

The deadline to submit your Qualifying Video for tryout is April 15, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Your video must be submitted in the form of a YouTube link and emailed to cheer@angelo.edu.

All tryouts have been postponed at this time. Updates will be posted over the course of the next few weeks.

Please note, this is NOT a tryout video. This video is for you to be invited to tryouts.

Your qualifying video must include the following:

• Brief Introduction
  • Name
  • Hometown
  • Number of years of cheer experience and what levels
  • Why you want to be a part of the ASU Cheer Team
• Cheer/Chant/fight song/band dance of your choice
  • We are wanting to see your motion placement so please pick a cheer/chant of choice that you are confident in.
• Standing and Running Tumbling – on dead mat, grass, hardwood, or track. No spring floor.
  • Please perform a minimum of two different standing tumbling and two running tumbling skills. We want to see your BEST skills.
    • BEST = most well-executed, cleanest, not necessarily most elite. We want to see sideline/performance-ready skills that you can perform without a spot.
  • If you do not have tumbling you can either skip this section or perform a spotted skill(s). For run tumbling you may perform just a round-off.
  • Not performing tumbling does not mean that you will not qualify for the tryouts. We have placed members on our team without tumbling before that had very strong skills in other categories.
• Stunting
  • Please perform a minimum of two different stunts of your choice (preferably in more than one stunting position if possible).
• Game Day/Performance Material
  • We want to see you in action. Please send us as many clips/videos you would like of you performing on the sidelines/competition mat. We are looking to see your performance skills.

Should you qualify for tryouts from your qualifying video, tryout dates are as follows:

• April 22, 2022 | 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. — Postponed / TBA
• April 23, 2022 | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Postponed / TBA
• April 24, 2022 | 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. — Postponed / TBA

Cuts may be made at the conclusion of each day. All three days are mandatory for qualifying candidates.

Ben Kelly Center for Human Performance

• Fully-funded program with no out of pocket cost to join
• Scholarships of up to $1,000/year (waives out of state tuition)*
• Paid uniforms and accessories
• National competition opportunities
• Paid travel expenses for out-of-town games and competitions
• Meal per diems when traveling
• Travel to all away football, post-season volleyball, and post-season basketball games
• Access to an athletic trainer and athletic training facilities
• Cheer for NCAA DII Athletics
• Priority scheduling each semester

*The ASU Cheer Team has up to 40 scholarship positions, and potentially 5-10 non-scholarship positions. The Head Cheer Coach has the final call on the team size.

Current ASU Students

To qualify, current ASU students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher at the time of tryouts, be of academic full-time status in good standing with the university.

Incoming Transfer Students

Students transferring from another college or university must have been admitted to ASU at the time of tryouts and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.

Incoming Freshmen

Incoming freshmen must have been admitted to ASU at the time of tryouts.

Credit and GPA Requirement For Team Members

All members who make the ASU Cheer Team must be enrolled in and complete at least 12 credit hours each semester. Each member is also expected to maintain a minimum accumulative GPA of 2.0 and be in good standing with the university while on the team. Only the ASU cheerleading head coach may grant exceptions to the course load requirement. Any member who fails to maintain these requirements is subject to dismissal from the team.

All forms below are required to be submitted by all candidates if you qualify for tryouts:

• ASU Cheer Team Tryout Application
  • Application if you are trying to join our team for the first time
• Returning Team Member Tryout Application
  • Application if you have already cheered at least one season at Angelo State.
• Tryout Release Form
  • Please complete the PDF and submit it at: ASU Cheer Tryout Release Form
• Two Character References
  • Please have your character references complete the following form and submit it online: ASU Cheer Character Reference Form
• Head Shot Photo - Should be a forward-facing photo. Does not have to be formal.
  • Please fill out the form and submit your photo at: ASU Cheer Tryout Head Shot Submission Form

Tryout Attire

Females: Plain black T-shirt (no words or graphics will be allowed), black spandex, calf-high white socks, athletic/cheer shoes, white bow, low ponytail parted to the side of choice, and game-face ready

Males: Black T-shirt (no words or graphics will be allowed), black shorts, calf-high white socks, athletic/cheer shoes

Tryout Format

Open Gym Format

Candidates will take part in an open gym style format where they will review the: Sideline Cheer - Posted in the video section | ASU Fight Song - Posted in the video section

April 22, 2022 | 6p.m. - 9p.m.| Postponed / TBA

• 5:30pm: Doors open
• 6:00pm: Welcome & Introductions
• 6:15pm: Strength & Conditioning Test: Candidates will be asked to run a timed mile outside. Candidates will be asked to perform as many push-ups as they can within one minute and will also be asked to perform as many burpees as they can within one minute.
• 6:45pm: Review Fight Song in open gym format
• 7:00pm: Review Sideline Cheer in open gym format
• 7:15pm: Review Band Chant in open gym format
• 7:45pm: Begin Stunt Open Gym: Candidates will have time to select and work with their groups for both group and partner stunt judging the following day.
• 8:30pm: Open skill work: Candidates will receive a chance to work on any skills they would like to perfect before being judged on them the following day. This includes but is not limited to; jumps, tumbling, stunting, and fight song.
  9:00pm: Closing conversation and discussion of tryout process for the following day
  *Please note that the above listed times are tentative and are subject to change as needed to ensure all points are covered during the three hour time block.

Along with the above categories, candidates can anticipate being evaluated on their Intra/Interpersonal skills including but not limited to adaptability, self-management, verbal communication, non-verbal communication, listening skills, and program fit.

skill judging

April 23, 2022 | 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.| Postponed / TBA

• 8:45am: Doors Open
• 9:00am: Welcome and what to expect
• 9:05am: Line drills, stretching, and warm-up as a group
• 9:15am: Standing Tumbling: Candidates will participate in both large group and small group tumbling for evaluation purposes. Candidates will be asked to showcase all skills that they are able to successfully perform on their own from the list below:
  
  • 1 point: Spotted standing back handspring
  • 2 points: Back handspring
  • 3 points: Two back handsprings
  • 4 points: Cartwheel back handspring
  • 5 points: Back Tuck
  • 6 points: Back handspring back tuck
  • 7 points: Cartwheel back tuck
  • 8 points: Back handspring layout
  • 9 points: Two back handsprings to layout
  • 10 points: Standing full
  • 11 points: Back handspring to full
• 9:45am: Run Tumbling: Candidates will be asked to showcase all skills that they are able to successfully perform on their own from the list below:
  
  • 1 point: Round Off
  • 2 points: Round Off Back Handspring
  • 3 points: Round Off Two Back Handsprings
  • 4 points: Round Off Three + Back Handsprings
  • 5 points: Round Off Back Tuck
  • 6 points: Round Off Back Handspring Back Tuck
  • 7 points: Round Off Layout
  • 8 Points: Round Off Back Handspring Layout
  • 9 points: Round Off Full
  • 10 points: Round Off Back Handspring Full
    *Please note that the execution of each of the skills performed will also be judged on a scale of 1-10 along with the specific skill point value.
• 10:00am: Stunt Warm-Up: Candidates will be asked to warm-up both their group and partner stunts for evaluation
• 10:15am: Stunt group and partner stunt judging: Candidates will be asked to showcase all of the group and partner stunts that they are successfully able to perform from the lists below:

Group Stunts

• • 1 point: Extension Pop Off
  • 2 Points: Liberty Pop Off
  • 3 Points: Extension Full Down
  • 4 Points: Liberty Full Down
  • 5 Points: Walk-In Extension Pop Off
  • 6 Points: Heel Stretch Full Down
  • 7 Points: Ground Up Extension Full Down
  • 8 Points: Full Up To Extension Full Down
  • 9 Points: Extension Double Down
  • 10 Points: Full Up Liberty Double Down

Partner Stunts

• 1 Point : Walk In Hands w/Pop Off
• 2 Points: Assisted Hands Pop Off
• 3 Points: Assisted Hands Press Extension Pop Off
• 4 Points: Assisted Hand Press Extension Twist Down
• 5 Points: Toss Hands Pop Off
• 6 Points: Toss Hands Press Extension
• 7 Points: Toss Hands Press Liberty
• 8 Points: Toss Extension
  *Please note that the execution of each of the skills performed will also be judged on a scale of 1-10 along with the specific skill point value.
• 12:00pm: Break for lunch
• 1:15pm: Return from lunch and warm-up stunts
• 1:30pm: Stunt rotations: All candidates will take the mat in their group stunts and will be led through group stunt rotations so that the judges can see candidates stunt with multiple other candidates
• 2:00pm: Jumps and Jumps to Skill: Candidates will be judged on their execution of a toe touch, right hurdler, left hurdler, pike and double toe touch. Candidates will also be asked to perform a double toe touch to a skill of choice from the list below:
  • 1 Point: Double Toe Touch to Spotted Back Handspring
  • 2 Points: Double Toe Touch to Back Handspring
  • 3 Points: Double Toe Touch to Two + Back Handsprings
  • 4 Points: Double Toe Touch to Back Tuck
  • 5 Points: Double Toe Touch Back Handspring Back Tuck
  • 6 Points: Double Toe Touch Two Back Handsprings to Back Tuck
  • 7 Points: Double Toe Touch Back Handspring Layout
  • 8 Points: Double Toe Touch Two Back Handsprings to Layout
  • 9 Points: Double Toe Touch Back Handspring Full
  • 10 Points: Double Toe Touch Full
• 2:30pm: Traditions Quiz and uniform fitting: Candidates will be asked to complete a written, short answer, traditions quiz to count toward their overall score. After completing the quiz all candidates will be sized for their potential uniforms should they make the team after judging on Sunday.
• 3:00pm: Closing remarks and discussion of the what to expect for the final day

April 24, 2022 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.| Postponed / TBA

• 8:45am: Doors open
• 9:00am: Welcome and what to expect
• 9:05am: Line Drills and warm-up
• 9:15am: Fight Song evaluation: Candidates will perform the fight song multiple times including in one large group and various smaller groups for evaluation
• 9:30am: Sideline Cheer evaluation: Candidates will perform the sideline cheer multiple times including in one large group and various smaller groups for evaluation
• 9:45am: Band Chant evaluation: Candidates will perform the band chant multiple times including in one large group and various small groups for evaluation
• 10:00am:

Panel Interview

Candidates will interview in front of a panel of judges with open-ended-type questions. Candidates should prepare to answer any of the potential interview questions listed below:

• Cultural fit

  • What does the ideal team culture look like to you?

  • What attributes of a team culture do you value the most?

  • How do you think you can contribute to our current team culture?

  • What does it mean to be a representative of Angelo State University?

  • If you saw the culture of the team shifting in a negative way, how would you go about helping it to become more positive?

• Social skills
  • Which personality traits do you value on your team?
  • What type of attitudes or behavior do you think are beneficial to a team?
  • How about non-beneficial?
  • Describe the relationship you had with a previous coach and the way in which you communicated with them.
  • When it comes to social media how should an ASU cheerleader represent themselves?
  • Please describe a conflict you had with a previous teammate and the ways in which you worked to resolve it.
• Teamwork
  • Describe the word teamwork and what it means to you.
  • How can a cheerleader showcase to their team that they are a team player?
  • How do you build a positive rapport with your teammate? How about your coaches?
  • Describe what being a part of a team means to you.
  • Describe what qualities make up a leader.
• Self-awareness
  • Describe your biggest strengths and how you think they will be beneficial to the program.
  • Describe your biggest weakness and how you plan to improve upon them.
  • How would your former teammates describe you?
  • How would your former coaches describe you?
  • Please prioritize the following from most important to less important and explain why; work, school, family, cheer, and friends.
• Interpersonal skills
  • Describe a past situation where you had to interact with “difficult people” and how you handled it.
  • Tell us about a time when you had a problem or disagreement with a coach and how you handled it. Please go into detail.
  • Please describe your communication style between you and your teammates.
  • Please describe your communication style between you and your coach
  • Tell us about a time you were out in a position in a routine that you weren’t happy about and how you handled it. Please use details.
• Dependability/accountability
  • Discuss your understanding of the word dependable and how it pertains to cheerleading.
  • Tell us about a time you were late or missed practice and how you handled it. Please use details.
  • How can a team member showcase that they are dependable to their team?
  • How can a team member showcase that they are dependable to their coach?
  • When you make a mistake how do you go about taking accountability for your actions?
• Overall
  • What are your overall goals for the team for the season?
  • What are your personal goals for the season?
  • Why should we choose you to be a member of our program?
  • If chosen, please describe how you will handle the potential stress that the season may bring.
  • Please describe how you handle adversity.

If the panel interviews are not completed by 12:00p.m. a lunch break will be taken by the judges. The panel interviews will reconvene at 1:15pm. After a candidate has completed their panel interview they will be finished with the tryout process and will be allowed to leave.

4:00pm: Estimated team announcements

4:30pm: Candidate Signings: Candidates that make the team are encouraged to bring their family and friends with them to celebrate making the team and take part in an official signing complete with pictures.

Monday, April 24th, 2022 | 6p.m. | Team Meetings - Virtual| Postponed / TBA

ASU Cheer Tryout Chant

ASU Cheer Band Chant

ASU Fight Song Female Version

ASU Fight Song Male Version

All tryouts have been postponed at this time to a later date.

A Request for Video Tryout Form must be submitted and approved prior to submitting a video tryout.

Video tryout applicants must fill out a tryout application and submit tryout video by 11:59 p.m. on April 14, 2021, to be considered.

Please submit all video tryouts at: ASU Cheer Video Tryout Submission Form

All video applicants must fill out and submit all required paperwork to be considered.

Video Format

Video tryout attire

Females: Plain black shirt, black spandex, calf-high white socks, athletic/cheer shoes, white bow, low ponytail parted to the side of choice, and game-face ready

Males: Black t-shirt, black shorts, calf-high white socks, athletic/cheer shoes

Introduction

• Name
• Age
• Current high school, college or gym

Skills

• Game Day Spirit and Motion Technique
  • Please perform the sideline cheer listed under the video tab.
  • Please perform the ASU Fight Song as shown in the video under the video tab
  • Please perform the ASU band chant as shown in the video under the video tab
• Jumps and Jumps to Skill - Please perform the following skills:
  • Right Hurdler
  • Toe Touch
  • Left Hurdler
  • Pike
  • Double Toe Touch to Skill
    • 1 point: Double to Touch to Spotted Skill
    • 2 points: Double Toe Touch to Back Handspring
    • 3 points: Double Toe Touch to Two Back Handsprings
    • 4 points: Double Toe touch to Back Tuck
    • 5 points: Double Toe Touch Back Handspring to Back Tuck or Higher
• Running Tumbling - Please perform as many of the skills listed below as you can.
  • 1 Point: Round Off
  • 2 Points: Round Off Back Handspring
  • 3 Points: Round off Two Back Handsprings
  • 4 Points: Round Off Three-plus Back Handsprings
  • 5 Points: Round Off Tuck
  • 6 Points: Round Off Back Handspring Back Tuck
  • 7 Points: Round Off Layout
  • 8 Points: Round Off Back Handspring Layout
  • 9 Points: Round Off Full
  • 10 Points: Round Off Back Handspring Full
• Standing Tumbling - Please perform as many of the skills listed below as you can.
  • 1 Point: Spotted Back Handspring
  • 2 Points: Standing Back Handspring
  • 3 Points: Two Connected Back Handsprings
  • 4 Points: Three-plus Connected Back Handsprings
  • 5 Points: Standing Back Tuck
  • 6 Points: Standing Back Handspring Back Tuck
  • 7 Points: Two-plus Back Handsprings to Back Tuck
  • 8 Points: Standing Back Handspring Layout
  • 9 Points: Two-plus Back Handsprings to Layout
  • 10 Points: Standing Full

STUNTING

Males: Required to perform two group stunts and one partner stunt. The two group stunts must be performed in two different positions.

Female Flyers: Required to perform two group stunts and one partner stunt. The two group stunts must be two different stunts.

Female Non-Flyers: Required to perform three different group stunts in a minimum of two different positions.

Female Multiple Positions: Required to perform two group stunts and one partner stunt.

• Group Stunts
  • Point Value and Skill
    • 1 Point: Extension w/ Pop Off
    • 2 Points: Liberty w/ Pop Off
    • 3 Points: Extension Full Down
    • 4 Points: Liberty Full Down
    • 5 Points: Walk-in Extension
    • 6 Points: Heel Stretch Full Down
    • 7 Points: Ground Up Extension
    • 8 Points: Full Up to Extension
    • 9 Points: Full Up to Lib
    • 10 Points: Rewind to Extension
• Partner Stunts
  • Point Value and Skill
    • 1 Point: Walk-in Hands w/Pop-off
    • 2 Points: Assisted Hands Pop-Off
    • 3 Points: Assist End Hands Press Extension Pop-Off
    • 4 Points: Assisted Hands Press Extension Twist Down
    • 5 Points: Toss Hands Pop Off
    • 6 Points: Toss Hands Press Extension
    • 7 Points: Toss Hands Press Lib
    • 8 Points: Toss Extension Press Lib

Running Tumbling - Please perform two different skills on the hardwood floor.

• 1 Point: Round Off
• 2 Points: Round Off Back Handspring
• 3 Points: Round off Two Back Handsprings
• 4 Points: Round Off Three-plus Back Handsprings
• 5 Points: Round Off Tuck
• 6 Points: Round Off Back Handspring Back Tuck
• 7 Points: Round Off Layout
• 8 Points: Round Off Back Handspring Layout
• 9 Points: Round Off Full
• 10 Points: Round Off Back Handspring Full

Standing Tumbling - Please perform two different skills on the hardwood floor.

• 1 Point: Spotted Back Handspring
• 2 Points: Standing Back Handspring
• 3 Points: Two Connected Back Handsprings
• 4 Points: Three-plus Connected Back Handsprings
• 5 Points: Standing Back Tuck
• 6 Points: Standing Back Handspring Back Tuck
• 7 Points: Two-plus Back Handsprings to Back Tuck
• 8 Points: Standing Back Handspring Layout
• 9 Points: Two-plus Back Handsprings to Layout
• 10 Points: Standing Full

Interview

Please read and answer the following questions:

• Cultural fit

  • What does the ideal team culture look like to you?

  • What attributes of a team culture do you value the most?

  • How do you think you can contribute to our current team culture?

  • What does it mean to be a representative of Angelo State University?

  • If you saw the culture of the team shifting in a negative way, how would you go about helping it to become more positive?

• Social skills
  • Which personality traits do you value on your team?
  • What type of attitudes or behavior do you think are beneficial to a team?
  • How about non-beneficial?
  • Describe the relationship you had with a previous coach and the way in which you communicated with them.
  • When it comes to social media how should an ASU cheerleader represent themselves?
  • Please describe a conflict you had with a previous teammate and the ways in which you worked to resolve it.
• Teamwork
  • Describe the word teamwork and what it means to you.
  • How can a cheerleader showcase to their team that they are a team player?
  • How do you build a positive rapport with your teammate? How about your coaches?
  • Describe what being a part of a team means to you.
  • Describe what qualities make up a leader.
• Self-awareness
  • Describe your biggest strengths and how you think they will be beneficial to the program.
  • Describe your biggest weakness and how you plan to improve upon them.
  • How would your former teammates describe you?
  • How would your former coaches describe you?
  • Please prioritize the following from most important to less important and explain why; work, school, family, cheer, and friends.
• Interpersonal skills
  • Describe a past situation where you had to interact with “difficult people” and how you handled it.
  • Tell us about a time when you had a problem or disagreement with a coach and how you handled it. Please go into detail.
  • Please describe your communication style between you and your teammates.
  • Please describe your communication style between you and your coach
  • Tell us about a time you were out in a position in a routine that you weren’t happy about and how you handled it. Please use details.
• Dependability/accountability
  • Discuss your understanding of the word dependable and how it pertains to cheerleading.
  • Tell us about a time you were late or missed practice and how you handled it. Please use details.
  • How can a team member showcase that they are dependable to their team?
  • How can a team member showcase that they are dependable to their coach?
  • When you make a mistake how do you go about taking accountability for your actions?
• Overall
  • What are your overall goals for the team for the season?
  • What are your personal goals for the season?
  • Why should we choose you to be a member of our program?
  • If chosen, please describe how you will handle the potential stress that the season may bring.
  • Please describe how you handle adversity.

Below are sample interview questions. Any combination of these questions could be used during the interview process.

Tradition Questions

What is the name of the purebred ram that is present at the ASU Ring Ceremony, and what do graduating students do with him at the ceremony? Dominic - Rub their rings for good luck

What is the name of the ASU Alma Mater? In Time to Come

What motto is displayed on the university seal? Fiat Lux

What is the name of the university president? President Ronnie Hawkins Jr.

What is the name of the tailgate that takes place prior to all home football games, and where is it located? Ram Jam - LeGrand Alumni Center

What are the official colors of the university? Blue and Gold

What tradition is held the night before the homecoming game each year? Bonfire

What are the names of our two costumed mascots? Roscoe and Bella

What is the sticky tradition that students believe will bring them good luck on campus? Gum Tree

What statues are featured in front of the Junell Center/Stephens Arena? Ram and Ewe Statues

What is the hand symbol for Angelo State? Ram’s Head

At the start of the second half of all home football games, the crowd is invited to join in forming what? The Victory Line

Cheerleading and Athletics Questions

What is the purpose of the ASU Co-Ed Cheer Team? Support ASU athletics, be an ambassador of the university and represent ASU at college nationals

Which sporting events do the ASU cheerleaders attend? Football, volleyball and basketball

During the summer, what events are the ASU cheerleaders required to attend? Orientation, cheer camp and work week

What is the name of the stadium where all home football games take place? LeGrand Stadium

Where are all of the home volleyball and basketball games held? Junell Center/Stephens Arena

What do we call our female sports teams at Angelo State? Rambelles or Belles

Who is the Angelo State University athletic director? James Reid

What campus department does the ASU cheer program fall under? Student Life

What are the core covenants of the ASU cheer program? Dedication, Family and Integrity

What college nationals does the ASU cheer team attend, and where is it located? USA College Nationals in Anaheim, California

In what years does ASU Cheer have National Championships? 2018, 2019 and 202