2023-24 Spirit Squad Tryout Information

SPIRIT SQUAD TRYOUT POLICY AND PROCEDURES

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:
Tryout fee: $60 new applicants
Tryout fee: $30 for anyone who was a member of the 2022-23 squads.
**All CHEER and DANCE applicants MUST register at the following links
CHEER APPLICANTS: NEW MEMBER | CURRENT MEMBER  
DANCE APPLICANTS: NEW MEMBER | CURRENT MEMBER

ALL THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE DUE AT CHECK-IN:
1. University of Memphis Spirit Squad application (all applicants)
2. Proof of Admission to the University of Memphis (copy of acceptance letter OR University ID) (new applicants only)
3. University of Memphis consent to participate form (all applicants)
4. Copy of your insurance policy card (front/back) (all applicants)

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 28, 2023 
Location: Elma Roane Fieldhouse
University of Memphis Campus
Memphis, TN 38111

6 p.m.:
• 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

Tumbling skills judged:
• Standing Tuck (REQUIRED)
• Two Standing Tucks Back to Back.
• 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

Applicants will also learn and be evaluated on the following:
• Fight Song (full) with 2 standing tucks and on Dead Mat
• Stunt Evaluations

COED
Toss extension/ Liberty pop off
Full up Stretch full corkscrew down to feet (or best toss stunt)

ALL GIRL
• Full up extension w/pop off dismount
• Full Up immediate stretch dismount
***Applicants advancing to day 2 will be notified by 10 p.m.***

Saturday, April 29, 2023 
Location: Elma Roane Fieldhouse
University of Memphis Campus
Memphis, TN 38111

9 a.m.
1 Sidelines Chant Gameday situation
Showcasing high energy, spirit raising, Rally tucks (before/after) sideline.

Stunt Evaluations

COED
• Single Flipping skill/ Inverted Skill
• Stunt Sequence- Two elite stunts with transition.

ALL GIRL
• Straight up stretch pop off dismount/bump down*(body position variations encouraged)
• Single Flipping/Inverted stunt
• Stunt Sequence- Two Elite stunts with transition
Elite Examples Include: DOUBLE UPS, FHS/BHS UPS, REWINDS, CARTWHEEL UPS, ROUND OFF UPS, HAND TO HAND VARIATIONS)

***Applicants may be notified of interview times throughout the day. Not everyone will receive an interview notification.

Noon (ETA): Final round applicants will be evaluated: stunts, tumbling, fight song, band chants, etc. if call backs are warranted.

**2022-2023 University of Memphis Cheer Team placement will be announced by email and/or social media accounts**

Team meeting to follow announcements!

April 30th
1st team practice
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Memphis Cheer
1375 Big Orange Rd
Cordova TN 38018

DANCE TEAM AUDITION INFORMATION:
MAY 12-13, 2023  

Prior dance experience is REQUIRED. In addition to skills and 1 minute solo, applicants will also be required to perform routines in game day, pom, hip-hop and jazz styles.

NEW ADDITION THIS YEAR-THE AMBUSH CREW
Ambush Crew are members of the Memphis Dance team but will also serve as the student section hype crew throughout football and basketball seasons.
More details on the role of the Ambush Crew:
• Tiger Walk at Football Games, visiting tailgates, pregame pep rally, pregame on field with crowd leading, game sidelines in front of students and timeout dance on the field
• Appearances throughout the year
• Front lobby and plaza before basketball games, assisting with marketing needs, pregame on the court, sponsored timeout dances, crowd leading during the game in front of band and students
• Game Day and Hip Hop National routine opportunities (all national routine members are based on abilities)  

Friday May 12, 2023  
Location: Memphis Cheer All Star Gym 
1375 Big Orange Road 
Cordova, TN 38108
*Check in begins at 2 p.m.
*Auditions begin at 3 p.m.

• 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)
• Applicants will learn a pom combination that will be judged in the final round on May 13, 2023
• Attire while learning the pom routine is form fitting tank top, bike shorts (no high waisted allowed), jazz shoes/turners, poms. Hair is in a slick low bun.
• Anyone interested in Ambush Crew will not be required to do this portion of the audition and will need to start on Saturday the 13th

Saturday May 13, 2023 
Location: Memphis Cheer All Star Gym
1375 Big Orange Road
Cordova, TN 38018 
8:30 a.m.-Noon

8:30-10:00 a.m.:
Game Day evaluation: if you were a 2022-23 member, you are not required to attend this portion unless notified by the coach)
• All applicants will learn game day material and be evaluated. Females please bring poms for this portion.
• Female Attire: black crop top/sports bra and black boy shorts or bike shorts (no high waist briefs/shorts are allowed) please have a pair of joggers, long or short sleeve tee available to put on as well if asked by the coach. Hair should be down and game day styled so you are comfortable performing. Makeup should be performance ready. Game day sneakers must be worn for this portion.
• Male Attire for Game Day: short or long sleeve Memphis tshirt or warmup jacket and joggers w/any shoes that are comfortable for dancing.

10:15-10:45 a.m.:
• Learn a short Jazz combination: attire is same as pom attire but will allow bare foot. (Males are not required to learn this portion, it is optional)
11:00 a.m.-Noon:
• Hip Hop-long sleeve baggy shirt, any kind of baggy pant, sneakers of any kind (everyone is required to learn this portion)
• Interviews for returners and new applicants MAY take place throughout the day and after clinic, dancers must prepare to be available all day in the event you are asked to interview

FINALS
3-6 p.m. (dancers must arrive between 2-2:45 p.m.)  
Location: Michael D. Rose Theater Lecture Hal
 470 University, Memphis, TN 38111
 THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
 Cost is $10 CASH ONLY 
Spectators may not enter until 2:30 p.m.

Finals show will open with a freestyle of choice from everyone! This is your chance to show off personality, technical skills and energy to the judges!

Skills portion will begin immediately in groups of 3. Here are some skills that will be judged may include but not limited to:
• Aerial (required) (both sides encouraged but not required)
• Front aerial (optional but encouraged)
• Pirouettes
• Advanced changing spot turn combination
• Advanced leaps of choice
• All other acro, hiphop skills, tricks, etc.

*Evaluations on pom and jazz combinations will be after skills.
*Evaluations on hiphop combination
*1 minute solo

Female 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.

Male Attire: pants, jacket or long sleeves of choice, shoes of choice

**2023-24 University of Memphis Pom and Ambush Crew will be announced by email before 7:30 p.m.**

2023-24 NEW TEAM MEETING
8 p.m.
Memphis Cheer All Stars
1375 Big Orange Road
Cordova, TN 38018

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