Expert: Tessa Denen - 7/18/2009

Question
I've been cheering on an all girls squad since my freshman year in highschool. I'm currently going to be a junior. I would love to continue cheering through college. What are some of the requirments for getting on a college co-ed squad? I can't really tumble but I can stunt (mostly being a back spot because of my height but can also base). I'm 5'7'' and weigh around 105. I have really long limbs too. Is there any chance that I can get onto a D1 cheer squad 1) if I can't tumble 2) if i'm not very flexible 3) if I've only cheer all girls?   

Aslo, i don't know what colleges offer cheerleading. If you could suggest any in Minnesota, Iowa, or Wisconsin that would be great!

Thanks

~Emily

Answer
Hello!

First of all, a lot of colleges expect that the incoming freshman will not have a lot of experience stunting with guys as 99% of high school squads are either A.) all girl, or B.) the guys aren't able to stunt with quite the difficulty as they would at the college level.  Coming in without this experience is fine most of the time as long as you show potential in this area.  Unfortunately, you are at a disadvantage since you are not a flyer.  You are obviously tiny and at your size would be gorgeous in the air, so I would suggest looking into a local gym to see if there were any opportunities to either have private stunting lessons with a male cheerleader or possibly ask your high school coach if you could try flying some for your last 2 years of high school because you are interested in cheering in college.  This would DEFINITELY help you a ton!!!!

The huge and very popular D1 universities, like the University of Wisconsin and comparable schools, often have rather strict requirements as far as tumbling is concerned.  Some require standing tucks, some require just a back hand spring, some don't require tumbling at all!  Huge cheerleading universities sometimes require fulls!  It just totally depends on the school.  If you don't tumble, but are hoping to cheer in college at a D1 school, I would look into schools that are little bit smaller, like University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.  Schools that aren't Big Ten schools in that area are a little more lenient on tumbling requirements.  A lot will say "Back hand spring recommended but not required to make the squad."

Pretty much every college now-a-days has a cheerleading squad.  Some just have all girls, some just co-ed, but most schools even have both now that cheerleading has gotten so popular.  If you aren't interested in flying, than finding a school with an all girls squad might be a great option for you!!  Most D1 schools have one.  

If you cheer for an all girl squad, your flexibility won't matter as much because you won't have to climb, but I would strongly recommend starting to stretch every day as most colleges require very good jumps!!  AND if you want to cheer co-ed, you'll be in the air so flexibility is helpful there as well!!!   


Best of luck to you!!!!