Tryouts for the 2019-2020 PLU Cheer Squad will be held April 15 & 17 from 5-7 PM at Olson Balcony and April 18 from 6-7 PM at Olson Gym.
All participants must have a current physical from the Health Center by April 15.
Pacific Lutheran University has a year-round cheer program. That means athletes on Pacific Lutheran's cheer squad will cheer for both football and basketball. Seniors that will be graduating in December or January will be able to cheer for the first part of the season. Also, individuals interested in studying abroad for J-term may also try out, but permission must be granted from the coach.
Tryout Process: Tryouts for the upcoming year will be held in the spring. The tryout process will consist of each athlete answering three questions, learning two chants, one dance, jumps, and a stunt. Each individual must also have a dance of their own prepared. Tumbling will count as extra since it is not currently required to cheer at PLU.
Showing: For incoming freshmen and transfers that are not able to try out during the spring, a showing will be held in September. These individuals will go through the same tryout process as in the spring. However, on the fourth day the showing participants will audition in front of the cheer coach rather than a panel of judges. These individuals will be given a video of all the cheers and dances to learn on their own, plus will immediately start practicing with the squad. However, these individuals will only cheer at the basketball games.
Requirements: The judges are looking for an all-around athlete. High jumps and kicks, sharp movements, correct motions, loud voice, personality, strength, rhythm, etc. are just a few of the requirements that are judged. To make the squad you must be dedicated, work hard, be a team player, have a positive attitude, and be willing to do what is best for the whole squad. Two uniforms will be purchased by each member. This will cost around $750. Uniforms change every three years.
Practice: For those athletes that make the squad during the March tryout, clinics will begin the week following spring break. Practice is two days a week for two hours a night, sometime between Monday and Thursday. We break at the end of spring semester in May. Over the summer all members have a DVD with all the dances and cheers that must be learned. We resume practice two weeks before fall semester starts. These two weeks consist of 2.5 hour days, Monday through Thursday. Once the semester starts we go back to the two-hour-a-night schedule and games on Saturdays. The season usually lasts through early November. The basketball season will start in late November/early December. Games are generally on Fridays and Saturdays, and the season usually ends in late February or early March.
Schedule: It is important that all athletes have a clear schedule from 4:00 p.m. at least two days a week (typically Mondays and Thursdays). Members of the cheer squad must be able to attend all spring and summer practices. If you have a schedule conflict for tryouts or practices, please email the coach to make arrangements if possible.
Need more info: Contact coach Kristen Barton at kristenjbarton@comcast.net.
