SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY

CHEERLEADING TRYOUT PACKET 20152016

Coaches: Renee Sullivan

Catherine Lis
Phone: (708) 945-5611
E-mail: C.Lis.1@mymail.sxu.edu
Address: SXU Athletic Department Cheerleading
3700 W. 103rd Street
Chicago, IL 60655

Saint Xavier Cheerleading Tryouts

Dates and Times (Clinics optional)

Clinic Wednesday, April 15, 6:30-9:00
TRYOUTS Saturday, April 18th 10:00
AM
Team Meeting/Uniform Fitting
Wednesday, April 22nd, 6:30

Location
Saint Xavier Shannon Center Main
Gym
Saint Xavier Shannon Center
Saint Xavier Shannon Center Cougar
Den

Attire (for all three days):

Females: Black spandex shorts, gray, red, or white plain or SXU shirt,
cheer shoes, hair out of your face, and ribbon/bow of your choice.
Males black gym shorts, gray, red, or white plain or SXU shirt,
cheer/athletic shoes.
All potential cheerleaders are expected to portray a collegiate image
when trying out for SXU. All body and facial piercings should be
removed.
General Requirements for Tryouts:
Males and Females
Fight song to be taught at clinics
(1) Sideline - of choosing
(1) One legged stunt sequence with minimal single twist dismount
(1) Triple Jump Combination of Choice
(1) Double Toe Touch Jump
(1) Basket Toss
(1) Standing Tumbling Pass*
(1) Running Tumbling Pass*
*Tumbling is not a requirement for tryouts but is strongly encouraged. You
are given points if you can perform a skill with a spotter.
Items to bring to the tryout:
Cheerleader Application and Application Agreement
Waiver of liability
Letter of Recommendation from previous coach or teacher
Copy of Saint Xavier Admission Letter
RETURNING CHEERLEADERS: You will be expected to perform at a
higher standard, being that you have been a part of the SXU Cheer
program for at least one year. In addition to the standard tryout

requirements, you will be judged on attitude, work ethic, integrity,

and the character that you displayed over the past year.

SAINT XAVIER CHEERLEADING VIDEO TRYOUT

INFORMATION
ALL Videos MUST be received by April 8, 2015
Please follow this order when making your video:

General Information
o The cheerleading application and all other required paperwork
needs to be sent along with all video tryouts. Videos should be
clearly labeled.
o All videos need to follow all criteria for video tryouts. Accepted
formats:
DVD

Emailed videos

Personal Interview

You will need to address the following in this interview:

YouTube videos

A brief background, including where you are from and any

cheerleading experiences.
Why you are choosing to attend Saint Xavier
What position and team you are trying out for (Flyer, Base,
Game, Competition)
Why would want to be a member of the cheerleading
program at SXU

Sideline

o
o

Perform any sideline that you choose

Make sure it includes a wide variety of motions and a strong
voice

Standing Tumbling
o Include all standing tumbling you can perform (jumps to
tumbling, standing tumbling, etc.)

Running Tumbling

Saint Xavier Cheerleading Tryouts

Stunts

Perform all running tumbling skills you have

Include at least one stunt sequence with a minimum of two body
positions and a minimally a single twist dismount. Also include
any creative load-ins you may have. You can perform stunts at
any position

Basket Toss

Include at least one basket toss with highest skill.

Who is Eligible to Tryout?

High school seniors with admission to the university
Undergraduate or graduate transfer students with eligibility remaining
Full time undergraduate or graduate SXU students in good academic
standing

Additional Tryout Information:

Potential team members are not only evaluated on current skill level

and ability, but more importantly how much potential athletes have to
become collegiate cheerleaders and contribute to the cheerleading
program

No decisions will be made until all potential cheerleaders have

completed their full tryout.

Clinic times will serve strictly as practice time for interested individuals
and allow individuals to learn the SXU fight song

Advantages to trying out in person:

Trying out in person will show that you are committed to SXU
Potential cheer team members will be able to work and tryout with
other potential team members
Cheer team candidates will have the chance to meet and interact with
the coach and current team members

Tips to Preparing for SXU Cheerleading Tryouts:

The SXU coaching staff is looking for well-rounded individuals with

outstanding skills to be a part of our program. Good character, the

ability to get along with others, and an outgoing personality are very
important. Along with those qualities, coaches are looking for
individuals who are easy to work with, take constructive criticism well,
and listen to advice to make improvements to skills.
How well you have worked with coaches and teammates from prior
teams and the way potential candidates interact with current team
members, coaches, and alumni will be considered.
Motions, tumbling, and stunting are also important. If you do not have
any skills needed, reach out to local gyms, college teams, or any SXU
cheerleaders to work on any skills.
SXU does and never will implement height or weight requirements for
team members. All team members are required to stay in good
physical shape throughout the year in order to be able to perform
competition routines with ease.

Cougar Cheerleading Responsibilities

The Saint Xavier University Cheerleading team is a group

of young men and women who work to support all Saint
Xavier athletics, create school spirit, and perform in
competitive environments. We are a very strong and
active group of students within the Saint Xavier
community.

The cheerleading team performs at all home football and

basketball games, all playoff games, NAIA regional
competitions, and other competitions throughout the
year. The team also attends camp, choreography, and
tumbling classes together. We also branch out into the
community and perform projects with fellow community
members to create a strong bond between the university
and neighbors. The team practices 2-4 times a week with
an additional game on the weekends. Cheerleaders are
also required to attend and participate in fundraising activities
throughout the year.

The Cheerleading Team

The SXU cheerleading team competes at several competitions
throughout the season.

The SXU cheerleading team will travel to Myrtle Beach, SC or Daytona,

FL in 2016 to compete at national competitions

Saint Xavier Cheerleading Tryouts

SXU competes at JamFest competitions, including

JamFest Cheer Super Nationals in
Indianapolis, IN and Cheer LTD.
CANAM Nationals in Myrtle Beach.

The SXU cheer team hosts several

clinics for children and high school
students throughout football and
basketball seasons.

Tryout FAQs

Who is eligible to tryout for SXU cheerleading?

o Incoming freshman or transfer students who have been admitted
to the university and any current SXU student.
Do you offer any scholarships?
o At this current time, Saint Xavier does not offer scholarships for
cheerleading. It is a work in progress as the team continues to
grow.
How many members are typically on your team?
o We typically average about 15 members on our team. No
number is set in stone and can be adjusted based on skill levels.
Does your team compete?
o Yes! We compete at several JamFest events every year and have
attended Cheer LTD. Nationals in Myrtle Beach, SC!
Will I be required to live on campus?
o No. SXU is a commuter school and several cheerleaders choose
to live at home or off campus.
Do I have to be accepted to SXU before I can tryout?

o We prefer that all candidates bring a copy of your acceptance

letter when you try out.
Is there an out of pocket cost for SXU cheerleading?
o We participate in several fundraising events through the summer
and during the season to eliminate as much of an out of pocket
cost as possible. Team members will need to bring a deposit for
their uniform to the informational meeting.
What is the difference between the game and competition
teams?
o Members who choose only to be on the game team will cheer at
all football and mens basketball games. Members who are
interested and are chosen for the competition team will cheer at
all football and select mens basketball games, as well as attend
several competitions throughout the year.

Saint Xavier Cheerleading Tryout Application

Tryout Application Checklist
FORM
FORM
Application
Copy of
Acceptance
Agreement
Letter of Rec.
Full
Name:_______________________________________________________________________
______________
Date of Birth:_____________________________ E-mail
Address:_________________________________________

Saint Xavier Cheerleading Tryouts

Home
Address:_____________________________________________________________________
__________________________
City:_____________________________________________ State:_________
Zip_________________________________

Please check ALL that apply:

Male
Competitio
n
Femal
Game
e
Both

Base

Backsp
ot

Tumble
r
Flyer

Home Phone: (__________)_________________________________________

Mobile Phone: (_________)_________________________________________

CHEERLEADING APPLICATION AGREEMENT

I, ___________________________________, submit this application to the Saint
Xavier Cheerleading Program. For the 2014-2015 season, my academic
classification will be________________________.
By submitting this application, I understand and agree to the following:
I will be a full time student taking a minimum of 12 credit hours for
undergraduate or 9 hours for graduate in the fall and spring semesters.
I must maintain a 2.0 GPA and will hereby release by academic
transcripts to the cheerleading coaching staff.
High School:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
College(s)
Attended:_________________________________________________________________________________
Major:_______________________________________________________
Minor:________________________________________________
Years in College: ________________________________ How many years in college
remaining?:______________________
All-star affiliation:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____

I understand that I must be in good standing with SXU or my high

school and not be on any type of academic probation.
I understand that not turning in required paperwork may delay my
tryout.
I have no health or physical defects, which would hinder my ability to
perform as an SXU cheerleader.
I understand that I must maintain a high level of physical fitness in
order to keep u with the demands of cheerleading.
If selected, I understand that I am required to attend all scheduled
practices, performances, summer camp, sporting events, pep rallies,
team meetings, alumni functions, and other duties designated by the
coaching staff.
I understand that I am making a FULL year commitment. (Fall AND
Spring semesters)
Being an SXU cheerleader is a major time commitment and any nonacademic time should not be placed over cheerleading. I understand
that, with the exception of school, my commitment to SXU
cheerleading takes FIRST priority over other activities. Furthermore, I
understand that last minute events may arise in which cheerleaders
must be present.
I am responsible tor the care and upkeep of all components of the
cheerleading uniform and must keep all components of this uniform in
an acceptable condition.
The SXU cheerleaders play an important role in representing the
University and its athletic program. As such, I will always know that I
am an official representative of SXU, its students, staff, faculty,
alumni, and cheer program. I will conduct myself in a manner to
uphold character, tradition, integrity, and spirit of SXU.
I agree to follow all safety guidelines.
I understand that I must obtain a note for a doctor to be excused from
any assigned function, unless approved in advance by the coaching
staff.
I understand that additional requirements will be listed in the
cheerleading constitution that I will obtain after tryouts have
been completed.
I understand and accept that all decisions of the coaching staff
will be final.

Signature
___________________________
Date