Cheerleaders
TSU Spirit Program
Welcome and thank you for your interest in Texas Southern University Cheerleading. The Texas Southern University Spirit Program will promote and uphold spirit and traditions while striving to motivate, inspire, and entertain fans at games, appearances, community outreach events, and competitions. Members will maintain good sportsmanship while focusing on academic success, student development, leadership opportunities, student health, and well-being while operating within safety regulations set forth by the American Association of Cheer-leading Coaches & Administrators (AACCA).
Program Benefits
Each member meeting eligibility will qualify for the following benefits:
- Quality Education
- Academic Leadership Scholarship (scholarships and out of state waivers are ONLY contingent upon availability)
- Travel Expenses Paid for out of town games
- Uniforms, Camp & Practice Attire, and Equipment Provided
- Academic Tutoring Services Provided
- Contracted Athletic Trainer
- Supportive Alumni
- Collegiate National Competition Opportunities
- Texas Southern University & SWAC Conference experiences and traditions
Coaching Staff:
The Spirit Program Staff were selected by Texas Southern University to provide leadership, oversight, and guidance to the Texas Southern University Spirit Program.
Insurance/Injuries:
An athletic trainer will be available for consultation and treatment of injuries.
Tryout Information
Cheer Tryouts
- Date/Time
- April 28 6pm-8pm
- April 29, 1pm-4pm
- Location: TSU Recreation Center
- All Participants Need To Submit A Headshot/ Full Body Photo With Application/ Waiver (In – Person Only)
- Bring Your Tryout Application Fee 45.00 Money Order / Cashiers Check Made Out To Texas Southern University
- Candidates Submitting Video Submission Need To Mail Their Money Order/ Cashiers Check To:
Texas Southern University, 3100 Cleburne St, Houston Tx 77004
All candidates who are out of- state, who can't attend in person are welcome to review, practice, and submit their tryout videos to head coach shontrese.comeaux@tsu.edu.
General Requirements:
- Admission Letter of Acceptance – Incoming Students
- 2.5 GPA or higher – Returning Students Current Head Shot Photo
- Tryout Application (Electronically through Apply Now link)
- Onsite Interview w/ Current Coach and Advisor
Tryout Requirements:
Previous cheer-leading experience is recommended (High school level or All-star)
Must have stunting ability/skills Tumbling – Minimum standing back tuck and running back handspring back tuck
Jumps:
- Toe Touch, Pike, Triple Jump Combination
- Co-ed Stunts (male): Toss chair (minimum) and optional stunt
- Partner stunts (female): best stunt
- One (1) Cheer – taught during clinic
- One(1) Chant – taught during clinic
- Fight Song – taught during clinic
Mascot Tryout Requirements
(Male and Female Mascots are Welcome)
ATTIRE: Tryout in Suit
Bring two (2) clean T-shirts for performance day
PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES:
- Never talk while in uniform
- Gesture to game situation questions asked by judges
- Show spirit on and off performance area
- 1:00 Minute Skit (NO MUSIC)
- 30 Sec. Skit (w/music)
- Props Acrobatics
- Crowd Involvement
- Sign Usage
- Dance
- Themed Performance
Academic Status & Eligibility
Members must maintain good academic standing during year of service. Each must demonstrate academic progress in securing a degree. The Spirit Program Director & Coaches through grade and attendance checks will monitor academic progress. To be eligible, students must maintain a 2.50 (or higher) current and cumulative GPA.
Attendance
While your academic success is priority, the success of the team depends on everyone being at practices, assigned games, camp/clinics, and appearances etc. Program members may have to give up part, or all, of their Thanksgiving holiday break, Winter holiday break and Spring Break to attend practices, games, and/or appearances. The Spirit Program will cover, but not limited to, Football, Women’s Volleyball, and Men’s & Women’s Basketball games, and selected other Texas Southern University sports. Members may also have the opportunity to travel to post season football bowl games, conference and NCAA/NIT post-season basketball tournaments. In addition, public appearances are required by squad members to attend throughout the year. Incentives should not have to be offered when needs for appearances are announced. It is the responsibility of each member to make public appearances. Spirit Program members will also be required to attend summer practices.
Conduct
Spirit Program members are highly visible symbols of Texas Southern University and, thus, must conduct themselves accordingly at ALL times. You should do nothing to bring embarrassment to the University, your family, your squad, Coaches/Spirit Program Director, or to yourself.