The Blinn College Cheerleaders are an exciting group that cheers at Blinn College athletic events, pep rallies, college and community events, as well as at a number of special events. The members of the squad are well respected on campus as student-athletes striving to support the Blinn College athletic program.
The average size of the squad is 20 members with one mascot.
Each candidate for a position on the team is required
to demonstrate the following skills:
•
standing back tuck or better
• round off flip/flop back tuck or better
• toss hands liberty or better
• toe touch jump and sideline chant
Candidates may not bring their own stunt partner. Co-ed and all girl stunting will be performed for tryouts.
There are 16 cheerleader scholarships and one mascot scholarship that covers tuition, fees and use of books. Athletes must maintain a grade point average of 1.75 the first semester and a 2.0 the second semester. Their sophomore year they are required to maintain a minimum 2.0 for the entire year. Members of the squad can also earn credit towards the required physical education classes that all students must take.
The college supports the team through the college budget, which makes participation affordable for the individual members. The college pays for all uniforms, pom pons, and ponchos, traveling accommodations and food. Cheerleaders pay for their own performance shoes, warm-ups, and practice clothes, which average about $300. Fund-raising helps each athlete with other expenses they may acquire.
The cheer coach is a member of the college’s kinesiology faculty. The coach works with the athletic director in finalizing the team’s schedule and appearances. The team captains also participate in decision-making.
Applicants should closely examine their priorities, class and work schedule, and academic abilities before making the decision to try out for the squad. Over half of the cheerleaders on the squad are currently taking heavy class loads while balancing a job and personal commitments. It is definitely not easy, but we know it can be done. Each athlete must have the heart and dedication for cheer AND academics.
Listed on back is a rough estimate of the number of hours expected of team members throughout the year. The information is based on the 2007-2008 team schedule and is subject to change.
• Attend a summer camp one week before classes start in August
• Attend one-day summer clinic in June and July
• Attend NCA camp in July
• Practice five days a week for football games, volleyball and special
performances. (Approximately 10 hours a week)
• Attend and cheer at the football games, volleyball games, pep rallies,
basketball games and prepare for nationals
• Practice five days a week (approximately 10 hours).
• Attend and cheer basketball games throughout basketball season. Along
with other various special performances.
• National’s competition in April in Daytona Beach
A typical practice begins with intense stretching. We then jump, tumble, and stunt with the remaining time spent on cheers and chants that are made up by the squad for athletic events. If you do not like to run, interval workouts and run the bleachers, then this is not the team for you. We work Hard!!
The Blinn Cheer Program will host a number of tryout sessions each spring to asses the skills, abilities and potential of interested and qualified candidates for the cheer squad.
Tryout sessions are intended to be low stress events. For that reason they are conducted in a practice-like environment during which the level of each candidate’s skills and talents and their ability to work with current and prospective team members will be evaluated. A short interview with the candidate may be conducted at anytime during the sessions.
We will have three open practices and you may attend all three or just one. You will need to email Karry Forsythe in order to attend these sessions. kforsythe@blinn.edu
• Saturday, April 4, 1-3
• Sunday, April 19, 5-7
• Wednesday, April 22, 3-5
• Final practice by invitation only Saturday, April 25, 9-12 a.m.
A final squad will be selected by April 26
Come ready to practice in shorts and T-shirts for males and shorts and sports bras for females.
Yes, we will select no more than 35 to attend the final practice.
The final results will be either announced that day or posted on the Web site by April 28. About 16-20 cheerleaders will make the team.
• New students must have already applied to Blinn College for the fall 2009 semester in order to try out.
• Blinn College students must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average and be in good standing with the college. Students cannot be on any form of academic and or disciplinary probation.
• An application form, a $30 application fee, current transcript, a photo of yourself, and a letter of recommendation must be turned in on the day of practice. (Do not have pictures made especially for this application packet. A snap shot will be fine.)
• A Medical Release Form signed by you and your parent. (can be downloaded from our web site)
Blinn College
Karry Forsythe
902 College Ave.
Brenham, TX 77833
979-830-4264
www.blinn.edu
kforsythe@blinn.edu