UB Cheerleading Tryouts and Requirements
GET INVOLVED!
2021-2022 Tryouts
Thank you for your interest in the University at Buffalo’s Cheerleading Program. We are so excited to get the 21-22 started! We are beginning the online/video tryout process on Monday May 24th!
Tryout Process
- Submit a tryout video demonstrating required skills
- Attend in person tryouts (TBD) if possible
- Final tryout (if invited) that will include participation at a in- person skill demonstration (once we are back on campus)
Videos will be due no later than July 16th.
Skills can be on video from your most recent cheer season if you are unable to video current skills.
It does need to be a clear video that highlights the individual trying out.
Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns. We appreciate your understanding as we navigate this process virtually right now.
Please email amyubcheer@aol.com or azabawa@buffalo.edu for any questions or concerns.
Skills to include in tryout video (due by July 16th to amyubcheer@aol.com or azabawa@buffalo.edu)
- Personal Intro
- Cheer/Chant
- Standing Tumbling - Back-handsprings and above (tucks/layouts/fulls)
- Running Tumbling – Round off Back handsprings and above (tucks/layouts/whips/fulls)
- Jumps - single & double toe touch required- additional jumps encouraged
- Stunts
- 3 stunt sequences in the air- (Coed or all girl and unique entry/dismount encouraged)
- Body positions on the ground or stunt stand (must show entire body including bottom foot) right & left Heel stretch- Arabesque- Scale- Scorpion- Needle (show as many as possible)
- 3 stunt sequences including different entries and dismounts - demonstrate ability to base several positions highly encouraged
We have had several questions in regards to tumbling. Yes it is a required skill. We will consider non- tumblers ONLY if they excel in another area of Jumps or Stunts – skills need to be above average!
I hope this answers a majority of the questions you may have. We are all in transition as we learn to navigate through these times. If you have any other questions please let us know!
HORNSUP!
Amy & Michaella
REQUIREMENTS
Dedication
This is the first and foremost requirement of being a cheerleader at UB. This means that ANY activity involving or including cheerleading is mandatory. This includes but not limited to practice, football games, men’s and women’s basketball games, pep rallies, fund raisers, and other school events. We will also travel with the teams at certain times throughout the year. We know and understand that students are involved in many aspects of college life, that is why we want you to fully understand the responsibilities involved before accepting a position on the team. Only those that can be truly dedicate themselves to the program should tryout. Our squad practices about three times a week and they are always mandatory! We cheer for the entire season of football and basketball; therefore, we keep the same team throughout the entire school year. We also participate in events over school breaks - they too are mandatory even if you do not live locally.
Practices
Practices will involve both “cheerleading” skills (stunting/dancing etc.) and conditioning. At this level it is imperative that cheerleaders be in top physical shape. This will include running and weight training. If you are not willing to do so you will not be a part of our program.
Summary
Cheerleading at the University at Buffalo is a very rewarding experience. Although it requires a lot of hard work and dedication, it provides a great opportunity to be involved in college life. Friendships and experiences are made that last a lifetime. Speaking from experience some of our best times in college were directly linked to cheerleading. We do this because we love it and we want you to as well. We will do everything in our power to provide a fun, safe, and challenging environment for you to be a part of. We will do everything in our power to provide you with the opportunity to succeed and accomplish your personal goals as well as the goals of the team.
CO-ED TEAM REQUIREMENTS
Expectations
The Co-Ed team is expected to have energy, enthusiasm, and positive attitudes. Each cheerleader must posses these skills in order to perform well in front of a crowd and support UB Athletics. Our practices will be held Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday from 6-9:30 P.M. There will be a required workouts outside of practice and a 2.0 grade point average is required to remain in good standing with the UB Cheerleading program. The following is expected from the Co-Ed team for the stunt portion of tryouts:
Females
Bases and Back Spots - Must have correct building technique, strength, ability to base/back single legged stunts, and willingness to learn new stunts.
Flyers - Must have correct stunting technique, clean execution of stunts, strength, ability to lead a crowd from a stunt, ability to perform single legged stunts, and willingness to learn new stunts. Double Downs preferred.
Tumbling - Standing back handspring min. Standing back tuck preferred (required to attempt at practices). Elite tumbling passes preferred (tucks & above)
Males
Willingness to base and learn new stunts.
Amy Zabawa
Cheerleader Coach
