During the 2023-2024 season, Angelo State University will hold tryouts for two cheer teams to better serve our campus. The groups will be known as the Gold Team and the Blue Team.
Gold Team
The gold team will attend all home football games, men’s basketball games, skill-related program events, and away and post-season games as requested. The team will be comprised of 20 members and will be the preferred team to compete at NCA College Nationals in April 2024.
The team will be required to practice six hours a week. This will include six skilled-focused team practices. Team members will also be required to attend two hours of study hall.
This team will have a more skills-focused setting. Team members will be expected to have at a minimum, a running or standing back handspring —unless they have a higher skill set in a needed area. Stunting skill level required for the team will depend on the skills displayed at tryouts in the stunting section.
Blue Team
The blue team will attend all home volleyball games, football games, and women’s basketball games. The team will also attend select Admissions, Office of Development, and San Angelo and campus community events.
The team will be comprised of twelve members and be campus spirit based. Team members will not be required to have tumbling experience. Members will be required to attend practice four hours a week and attend two hours of study hall every week.
If a student is selected for the Blue team and would like to transition to the Gold team, they can be considered for a spot based on availability and the coach’s discretion. Interested students can be placed on a waiting list that will be based on tryout scores. If a spot on the Gold team becomes available, the head cheer coach will evaluate the skill level of interested members.
Required Forms
Students interested in trying out for either team are required to submit the following documents to be eligible:
Females: Plain black T-shirt (no words or graphics will be allowed), black spandex or athletic shorts, white socks, 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, white socks, and cheer shoes.
Open Gym Format
Candidates will take part in an open gym-style format where they will review the: Sideline Cheer, ASU Fight Song, and Band Chant. Videos are posted in the Tryout Cheers and Fight Song section.
Day 1 - May 5, 2023, 6 – 9 p.m.
5:30 p.m. - Doors open
6 p.m. - Welcome & Introductions
6:15 p.m. - Dynamic Warmup & Light Stretching
6:30 p.m. - Review Fight Song in open gym format
6:45 p.m. - Review Sideline Cheer in open gym format
7 p.m. - Review Band Chant in open gym format
7:15 p.m. - 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.
8:30 p.m. - 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.
9:00 p.m. - 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
Day 2 – May 6, 2023, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
7:45 a.m. - Doors Open
8 a.m. - Welcome and What to Expect
8:05 a.m. - Warm-up fight song, sideline cheer, band chant
8:15 a.m. - Fight song evaluation: candidates will perform the fight song multiple times in one large group and various smaller groups for evaluation
8:35 p.m. - Sideline cheer evaluation: candidates will perform the sideline cheer multiple times in one large group and various smaller groups for evaluation
8:55 a.m. - Band chant evaluation: candidates will perform the band chant multiple times in one large group and various small groups for evaluation
9:30 a.m. - 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 who have standing tumbling 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 back handspring
2 points: Double toe touch to multiple + back handsprings
3 points: Double toe touch to back tuck
4 points: Double toe touch back handspring layout
5 points: Double toe touch full
10:00 a.m. - Tumbling Warm-Up
Candidates will participate in both large-group and small-group tumbling for evaluation purposes.
10:15 a.m. - 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: Back handspring
2 Points: Back handspring series (Two or more connected)
3 Points: Back Tuck (With or without Back handspring)
4 Points: layout (With or without Back handspring)
5 Points: Standing full (With or without Back handspring)
10:30 a.m. - 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 Back Handspring
2 Points: Round Off Three + Back Handsprings
3 Points: Round Off Back Handspring Back Tuck
4 Points: Round Off Back Handspring Layout
5 Points: Round Off Back Handspring Full
Noon - Break for lunch
1:00 p.m. - Return from lunch and what to expect
1:10 p.m. - Stunt Warm-Up
Candidates will be asked to warm up both their group and partner stunts for evaluation
1:30 p.m. - Stunt group and partner stunt judging
Candidates will be asked to showcase all the group and partner stunts that they are successfully able to perform from the lists below:
Group Stunts
Set One:
1 point: Extension Pop Off
2 Points: Extension Full Down
3 Points: Walk-In Extension Pop Off
4 Points: Extension Double Down
5 Points: Full Up to Extension Full Down
Set Two: One-leg Stunts
1 Point: Liberty
2 Points: Heel Stretch
3 Points: Arabesque
4 Points: Arabesque Full down
5 Points: Full Up Liberty Double Down
Set Three: Baskets
1 Point: Straight Ride
2 Points: Toe Touch
3 Points: Twist
4 Points: Kick Twist
5 Points: Tuck
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: Toss Hands Pop Off
5 Points: Toss Hands Press Extension
*Please note that the execution of each of the skills performed will also be judged on a scale of 1-5, along with the specific skill point value.
3:00 p.m. - Closing remarks and discussion of what to expect for the final day
Day 3 – May 7, 2023, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
8:45 a.m. - Doors Open
9 a.m. - Welcome and what to expect
9:05 a.m. - Panel Interview
Candidates will interview in front of a panel of judges with open-ended-type questions. Candidates should prepare to answer any potential interview questions listed in the questions section.
If the panel interviews are not completed by noon, a lunch break will be taken for the judges. The panel interviews will reconvene at 1:15 pm.
6 p.m. - Estimated team announcements
Team Meeting: 6 – 9 p.m.
6:15 p.m. - Doors Open
6:30 p.m. - Welcome and what to expect
6:45 p.m. - Uniform Fitting
8:00 p.m. - Go over the Team Handbook
8:45 p.m. - 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.
Video Tryouts
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 their tryout video by 11:59 p.m. on May 3, 2023, 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
Females: Plain black T-shirt (no words or graphics will be allowed), black spandex or athletic shorts, white socks, 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, white socks, and cheer shoes.
Name
Age
Current high school, college, or gym
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 Toe Touch to Back Handspring
2 Points: Double Toe Touch to multiple + Back Handsprings
3 Points: Double Toe Touch to Back Tuck
4 Points: Double Toe Touch Full
5 Points: Double Toe Touch Back Handspring Layout
Running Tumbling -Please perform as many of the skills listed below as you can.
1 point: Round Off Back Handspring
2 points: Round Off Three + Back Handsprings
3 points: Round Off Back Handspring Back Tuck
4 points: Round Off Back Handspring Layout
5 points: Round Off Back Handspring Full
Standing Tumbling - Please perform as many of the skills listed below as you can
1 point: Back handspring
2 points: Back handspring series (Two or more connected)
3 points: Back Tuck (With or without Back handspring)
4 points: layout (With or without Back handspring)
5 points: Standing full (With or without Back handspring)
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 (Bold)
Set One
1 Point: Extension Pop Off
2 Points: Extension Full Down
3 Points: Walk-In Extension Pop Off
4 Points: Extension Double Down
5 Points: Full Up to Extension Full Down
Set Two — One-leg Stunts
1 Point: Liberty
2 Points: Heel Stretch
3 Points: Arabesque
4 Points: Arabesque Full down
5 Points: Full Up Liberty Double Down
Set Three — Baskets
1Point: Straight Ride
2Points: Toe Touch
3Points: Twist
4Points: Kick Twist
5Points: Tuck
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: Toss Hands Pop Off
5 Points: Toss Hands Press Extension
Running Tumbling - Please perform two different skills on the hardwood floor.
1 point: Round Off Back Handspring
2 points: Round Off Three + Back Handsprings
3 points: Round Off Back Handspring Back Tuck
4 points: Round Off Back Handspring Layout
5 points: Round Off Back Handspring Full
Standing Tumbling - Please perform two different skills on the hardwood floor.
1 point: Back handspring
2 points: Back handspring series (Two or more connected)
3 points: Back Tuck (With or without Back handspring)
4 points: layout (With or without Back handspring)
5 points: Standing full (With or without Back handspring)
Please read and answer the following questions:
Cultural fit
What does the ideal team culture look like to you?
How do you think you can contribute to our current team culture?
What does it mean to be a representative of Angelo State University?
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?
Please describe a conflict you had with a previous teammate and the ways in which you worked to resolve it.
Teamwork
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.
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.
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.
Please describe your communication style between you and your teammates.
Please describe your communication style between you and your coach
Dependability/Accountability
Discuss your understanding of the word dependable and how it pertains to cheerleading.
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?
Potential Interview Questions
Below are sample interview questions. Any combination of these questions could be used during the interview process.
What does the ideal team culture look like to you?
How do you think you can contribute to our current team culture?
What does it mean to be a representative of Angelo State University?
Which personality traits do you value on your team?
What type of attitudes or behavior do you think are beneficial to a team?
Please describe a conflict you had with a previous teammate and the ways in which you worked to resolve it.
How can a cheerleader show 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 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.
Please prioritize the following from most important to less important and explain why, work, school, family, cheer, and friends.
Describe a past situation where you had to interact with “difficult people” and how you handled it.
Please describe your communication style between you and your teammates.
Please describe your communication style between you and your coach
Discuss your understanding of the word dependable and how it pertains to cheerleading.
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?
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?
Additional Information
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 32 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 and be of full-time academic 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.
