University of Memphis Athletics
2022-23 Spirit Squad Tryout Information
Apr 01, 2022 | Spirit Squad
Thank you for your interest in the spirit program at the University of Memphis. Not only are we fortunate to have one of the top educational institutions in the country but one of the finest spirit programs as well. We are very serious about the excellence of our department and are actively seeking quality individuals to utilize their talents, while pursuing a higher education and be a part of the Tiger Spirit Squads.
We are looking for well-rounded student athletes who will be committed team members who will exemplify athleticism through their skill level, fitness, health and work ethic. The Memphis Spirit Squads are highly visible within our community and therefore must be able to represent the University in a positive way by maintaining an athletic/professional appearance.
General information:
A $60 tryout fee is due with submission of your paperwork.
A $30 tryout fee is due for anyone who was a member of the 2021-22 squads.
We ONLY accept checks or money orders made out to: University of Memphis Spirit Squads.
CHEER APPLICANTS: payment and paperwork are due by April 25, 2022
DANCE APPLICANTS: payment and paperwork are due by May 2, 2022
Submit all paperwork and payment to:
University of Memphis Spirit Squads
Attention: Carol Lloyd Cross
12475 Hwy 57
Moscow, TN 38057
Please include the following paperwork along with your payment:
- University of Memphis Spirit Squad application (all applicants)
- Non-returnable headshot (new applicants only)
- Proof of Admission to the University of Memphis (copy of acceptance letter OR University ID) (new applicants only)
- University of Memphis consent to participate form (all applicants)
- Copy of your insurance policy card (front/back) (all applicants)
- $60 or $30 tryout fee (check or money order made to University of Memphis Spirit Squads)
CHEER TRYOUT INFORMATION:
Prior cheer experience is required. Members are chosen based on appearance, communication skills, crowd appeal, motion placement and timing, tumbling skills, and partner stunt abilities.
Friday April 29, 2022
Location: Finch Center
624 Echles St, Memphis TN 38111
5pm CST:
- Attire: All female candidates must wear a black, blue, or white crop top/sports bra with black shorts or black spanks
- Hair should be in a low pony with bow (white or blue) tails facing backwards and game day curled. All hair must be off your face and pinned back if needed. Makeup should be performance ready.
- Jewelry is not allowed including watches.
- Male candidates must wear blue, black grey or white collared shirts tucked in Khaki shorts (black, blue, or tan)
- All male applicant's hair must be out of face
- Standing Tuck (REQUIRED)
- BHS-BHS Back Tuck
- Specialty Standing Tumbling (i.e., BHS-BHS Full, Standing Full etc.)
- Round BHS Full or Your best Roundoff BHS tuck/Layout
- Specialty running pass (whip, arabian, punch, etc.) to full
- Fight Song (full) With both tucks. (Dead Mat)
- Stunt Evaluations
- Toss extension/ Liberty pop off
- Full up Stretch full corkscrew down to feet (or best toss stunt)
- Full up extension w/pop off dismount
- Full Up immediate stretch dismount
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Location: Finch Center
624 Echles St, Memphis TN 38111
9:00am CST
1Sidelines Chant Gameday situation
Stunt Evaluations
COED
- Single Flipping skill/ Inverted Skill
- Stunt Sequence- Two elite stunts with transition.
- Quick Toss Extension
- Straight up extension
- Straight up stretch pop off dismount/bump down*(body position variations encouraged)
- Single Flipping/Inverted stunt
- Stunt Sequence- Two Elite stunts with transition
*Applicants may be notified of interview times throughout the day. Not everyone will receive an interview notification.
12:30pm CST(ETA): Final round applicants will be evaluated: stunts, tumbling, fight song, band chants, etc. if call backs are warranted.
**2022-2023University of Memphis Cheer Team placement will be announced by email and/or social media accounts.
2022-2023 NEW TEAM MEETING
7:00pm
Location: Memphis Cheer All Stars
1375 Big Orange Road
Cordova, TN 38018
DANCE TRYOUT INFORMATION: MAY 6-8, 2022
Prior dance experience is required. In addition to skills and a 1 minute solo, you will also be required to perform routines in game day, pom, hip-hop and jazz styles.
Friday, May 6, 2022
Location: Memphis Cheer All Star Gym
1375 Big Orange Road
Cordova, TN 38138
*Check in begins at 5:00pm CST
*Auditions begin at 6pm CST:
-If you were a member of the 2021-2022 squad or received a bypass for the first round, you are NOT required to do this portion of the audition and automatically advance to Saturday May 7, 2022.
- All applicants will learn game day material and be evaluated. Please bring poms for this portion.
- Attire: All candidates must wear black crop top/sports bra and black boy shorts (no high waist briefs/shorts are allowed) hair should be down and game day curled or styled. If you have bangs, they should be pinned off your face. Makeup should be performance ready.
- once evaluated, you will be notified by email if you are moving forward to the next round of auditions on Saturday, May 7, 2022
Saturday May 7, 2022
Location: Memphis Cheer All Star Gym
9:00am-12:00pm CST
- Check in begins at 9:00am CST
- Clinic 10:00am-5:00pm CST
- Applicants will first be evaluated on across the floor, freestyle and technical skills. (There may or may not be cuts for this round of auditions)
- A short 30-45 minute break will be allowed for lunch
- Upon return, applicants will learn a pom, jazz and hip hop routine that will be judged in the final round on May 8, 2022
- Attire while learning these routines: Pom-form fitting tank top, bike shorts (no high waisted allowed), jazz shoes/turners, poms. Jazz-same as pom attire but will allow bare foot. Hip Hop-long sleeve baggy shirt, any kind of baggy pant, sneakers of any kind
- Interviews for returners and new applicants will take place throughout the day and after clinic, dancers must prepare to be available all day in the event you are asked to interview.
Skills that will be judged may include but not limited to:
- Right pirouette (as many as you can do)
- Advanced turns in second (must include changing spots, pirouettes)
- Leg extensions
- Leg turns
- Optional flexibility skills
- Toe touches
- Optional jumps
- Turning disc
- Calypso
- Headspring (to standing position required)
- Rubberband
- Aerial (required) (both sides encouraged but not required)
- Front aerial (optional but encouraged)
- Optional hip hop tricks of choice
Attire: skills portion-crop top of choice with brief shorts (no high waist shorts allowed) and costume of choice for your solo, pom, jazz and hiphop attire will be the same as previous day clinic attire requirements.
Sunday May 8, 2022
Location: Michael D. Rose Theater Lecture Hall
470 University, Memphis, TN 38111
Time: 10:00am-2:00pm (dancers must arrive between 8:30-9:00am)
THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Cost is $5 cash only
Spectators may not enter until 9:30am
*Final round of applicants will begin with an introduction of everyone with 2-4 eight counts of improv on stage.
Finalists will be evaluated on all or selected skills, pom, jazz, hiphop routines and 1 minute solo of choice.
2022-2023 University of Memphis Pom Squad will be announced on our spirit squad page, by email or on social media accounts by 5pm CST.
2022-2023 NEW TEAM MEETING
6:00pm
Location: Memphis Cheer All Stars
1375 Big Orange Road
Cordova, TN 38018
