Expert: Chris - 4/8/2010

Question
Is there a college that offers cheerleading with no tumbling? If so where and what? I have been cheering for 6 years now and all I have is a standing back hand spring my running is not all that great.. I would love to cheer in college but im scared no college offers girls with no tumbling.. I am 5'5 128 pounds and have a lot of muscle. I normally base but can fly on an easy level... Thank you for your help
~Shelby Jones

Answer
I definitely understand the tumbling dilemma. It's the hardest thing I ever have to do and after an injury (not even related to cheerleading or tumbling) I lost my back handspring. I had running tumbling for about 2 weeks before it uh...left? So I can completely relate to this tumbling problem.

To be very honest I don't know much about specific college programs. Some smaller schools will take girls with back handsprings if they have other skills to offer. Since you've been basing for a lot time I would suggest an all-girl team. You're pretty tall to fly...not too tall (I'm 5'4 1/2 and I fly but I'm always one of the tallest ones)but you have more experience basing. Tumbling is important so even if it isn't a requirement at the school it will be tough to make the squad over girls that do tumble (I'm sure you already know this).

I'll try to look into some more information about college cheerleading. I'm actually looking at colleges now, and because of my lack of tumbling (among other reasons) I am not going to cheer at my school.

Something else for you to consider would be cheering at an All-Star gym on an Open team. Sometimes the requirements are looser because there are less cheerleaders ages 17 and up. That's what I do right now and I currently do not have a back handspring (They're not too thrilled about that though). But there's many team members that do not have tucks or anything besides back handsprings. If you enjoy cheering at games then all-star may not be the best choice, but if you just like cheering and competing it's something you should consider. It can be expensive, with tuition every month (mine is $55), competition fees (vary depending on competitions), and a uniform that usually runs about $300. Sometimes people will sell or loan out their used uniforms, but you'd have to talk to someone at the gym you choose.

If you don't mind my asking, is there a specific area you would like to go to college in? Personally I don't want to go too far from home. My top 3 choices are 1 hour, 1 and 1/2 hours, and 20 minutes away from home! I'm a little scared of the cheerleading situation in college too even though I plan on doing the same open team I am on now (as long as I don't get hurt again)!!