Cheer Application and Tryout Packet - Oklahoma Panhandle State ...

2016-2017

coed cheer tryout information packet

2016-2017 OPSU Cheer Tryout Checklist Required PRIOR to tryouts: Cheer Team Tryout Application Cheer Expectations (read and sign) OPSU Student-Athlete Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk (read and sign) Insurance Information Sheet and Copy (front/back) of Insurance Card (absolutely no exceptions) Medical History/Questionnaire Form (fill out completely and sign) Physical Examination Form (to be completed by physician)

Coed Cheer Team Tryout Application (all information below is required) PRIOR TO TRYOUTS: All required medical and compliance forms must be emailed to [email protected] or faxed to 580-349-1350 by May 23, 2016 prior to attending tryouts. High school seniors or transferring students: A separate letter of recommendation from your current coach or advisor must be emailed to Coach Justine Gaskamp. All students will be required to submit a copy of their official transcript. Mark your calendars for 2016-2017 tryouts to be held on June 3-4 in the Noble Activity Center on the OPSU Campus. Check-in and registration will begin at 5:00 p.m. Friday. The schedule for Saturday, June 4 will be as follows: an open gym session will be held from 7:30- 8 a.m.; tryout clinic/practice will run from 8 a.m.-Noon, with a lunch break from 12-2 p.m.; actual tryouts and judging will begin at 2 p.m. All those trying out must arrive by 8 a.m. for a mandatory practice session (open gym session is optional). Full Name: _________________________________________________________________ Gender: ______________________ Current Address: ____________________________________________________________

High School/College Transcript (copies are acceptable) Letter of Recommendation from current coach/advisor (for HS seniors and college transfers)

City: ______________________________________________________________________ State: ________________________ Zip Code: _____________________

***All required forms are due no later than May 23, 2016 in order to be eligible to tryout (please contact coach if you are unable to meet this deadline***

Phone: _______________________ Email Address: ______________________________________________________________ Date of Birth: __________________ Current High School or College you are attending: __________________________________ How many years of cheerleading experience do you have? ___________________________ Gymnastic Ability (please mark all that apply): Standing Back Handspring Standing Back Tuck Standing Back Handspring Back Tuck Series of Back Handsprings Round Off Back Tuck/Series of Back Handsprings Layout Full Twist

1

What is your best position in stunting?

Why do you want to be an OPSU cheerleader?

All Girl Top/Flyer Coed Top/Flyer All Girl Base Coed Base Backspot Not Sure

How did you hear about OPSU Cheerleading? What are the most advanced stunts you can perform? (Please specify stunt position):

Printout/Ad Recruitment Event Familiar with OPSU Website Other (please comment): ___________________________________________________

What scholastic, school and community honors have you received?

T-Shirt Size:

Xtra Small

Small

Medium

Large

By checking below, I realize cuts may be made at any time during the tryout process. I agree List any medical conditions that may affect practices or performances:

I am:

A current high school student

A college transfer student

I do not agree and would like clarification please

An OPSU student

What is your classification? Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior If you are a high school senior or transferring to OPSU, have you: Applied to OPSU Been accepted to OPSU Doesn’t apply to me

2

3

Xtra Large

3. Academics:

Updated 04/07/2016 OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE STATE UNIVERSITY CHEERLEADING EXPECTIATIONS 2016-2017 OPSU Cheerleading Benefits: • •  • •

Scholarships available (limited funds are offered and divided equally per semester) Uniforms and equipment provided Opportunities for further involvement in Student Senate and Student Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC) Support OPSU Aggie Athletics and Campus Activities Aggie Pride and Spirit

• • • •



5. Health and Nutrition: •

These guidelines MUST be met in order to receive your scholarship each semester. The current expectations of our squad members are subject to change. 1. Cheerleader Responsibilities include: a. Cheer at all home football games b. May travel to one out of town football game per year based on budget c. Cheer at men’s and women’s home basketball games d. Attend at least two games of each (unless additional events are scheduled): volleyball, baseball, softball e. Public appearances (on and off campus) f. Community Service throughout the year g. Support and participate in campus activities h. Attend required practices i. Full participation in all fundraisers

School is the reason you are here. School is your number one priority. Students must maintain both a 2.00 GPA each semester and cumulative 2.00 GPA overall. Failure to meet both of these GPAs will result in loss of scholarship and one probationary term. If grades are not met again after probationary period, then removal from the team will occur. All cheerleaders are required to maintain 12 hours each semester, but taking 15 hours is recommended. Any cheerleader who drops below 12 hours in a semester will be subject to a drop in scholarship or loss of scholarship and may be removed from the squad. In order to monitor academic progress, it’s the cheerleader’s responsibility to inform the coaches of any classes he/she is considering dropping to ensure best academic counseling if needed. Grade checks will be done each semester at the discretion of the coaches.



• • •

The overall health and well-being of all members of the cheer team is of utmost importance as cheerleading is a rigorous activity that requires physical strength and mental focus. With this in mind the coaches expect to be notified prior to performing any activity if a member is not feeling up to the task. In the event of illness or injury, the affected squad member is required to immediately report the situation to the coach and seek medical treatment. Athletic trainers and a school nurse are available on campus for use by cheer team members (trainers may require an appointment if further treatment is necessary). A doctor’s/nurse’s note may be required if practice or events are missed due to illness or injury; if an OPSU trainer is seen, please advise your coach. Squad members are expected to maintain an appropriate physique. The cheer coach will closely monitor each individual to keep that individual healthy and safe. Each member is required to workout outside of practice and log their hours weekly at the front desk of the Noble Center. Workout hours should total at least 2 hours per week. Weigh-in sessions will be held on the first Tuesday of each month by the cheer coach to insure that each member is maintaining proper health (there are no set weight limits; just the concern for proper health and nutrition for each member)

2. Time Commitment: 

• •

You are making a commitment to attend all the listed events (Section 1) plus special appearances that are scheduled during the year (Open Gym, instructing Cheer Clinics, judging Cheer Tryouts, etc.). This may include giving up all or part of Fall Break, Holiday Breaks, Winter Break and Spring Break for athletic events and practice. If you cannot commit to all these events, please do not try out. You must attend Team Fitting Day, summer practices, pre-camp practices, summer camp in July or August as well as practices before the start of school. You must attend all practices. Practices will run efficiently and will start promptly at their scheduled times.

6. Uniforms: •

• • •

All uniforms are the property of OPSU. An inventory sheet will be signed by each cheerleader upon receiving uniforms. Any uniform that is lost or unaccounted for will be the responsibility of the cheerleader the uniform is issued to. Responsibility of care and cleaning of the uniform is required. A corresponding ribbon/bow will be worn in hair anytime in uniform. Jewelry including belly rings, nose rings and extraneous earrings are not permitted during practices, open gyms, or when in uniform or at any public appearances/events.

7. Practice: •

Practice will be 2 to 4 days a week. Extra practices may be scheduled in preparation for special events/performances. • Practice will be 2 to 3 hours in length. • All practices are mandatory unless otherwise noted. • You must come to practice dressed and ready on time. Females: sports bra and spanks/shorts only, Males: t-shirts and shorts. 8. Appearances: •

All appearances are mandatory unless otherwise noted.

• • •

10. Attitude: • • •

9. Behavior: •





As representatives of OPSU and the Aggie Cheer Team each member is expected to conduct themselves in a mature and positive manner. All members must adhere to the guidelines set forth in the OPSU Student Handbook and will be held accountable by the schools standards; additional consequences may be implemented at the discretion of the cheer coaches. All members are expected to respect the time of their coaches, teammates and instructors. Each member must adhere to the OPSU Cheer Guidelines for Tardiness and Absences and will be subject to the consequences listed. Listed below are some issues that have risen occurred in the past and have been rated as concerns within the program. We will re-evaluate as each school semester passes. These concerns can lead to a loss of scholarship, so this system is being used to better inform you of your membership and address issues before termination and/or loss of scholarship occurs. The cheer coach and co-captains are responsible for writing and enforcing cheer guidelines and consequential punishments. • Unacceptable sideline performance (Not knowing cheers, cell phone usage, excessive talking) • Unacceptable Social Media Usage (Cyber bullying, Inappropriate language and pictures) • Not wearing proper clothes (shell top, skirt, shoes, socks, bows, spanks, etc.) • Leaving a game/practice without notice • Coming in late without notice • Showing up late for assigned community service • No show for practice • No show for Game • Disrespectful to teammates, coaches, instructors, other employees or visitors • Insubordination

Must be in good standing with the university. Alcohol or controlled substance use is prohibited. A violation of this rule is grounds for immediate dismissal. Being placed on disciplinary probation or suspension is grounds for immediate removal from the team.

• •

A positive attitude with TEAM goals is expected at practice/events by each member. Members must be mature, energetic motivators to build and maintain the image of the Cheer Program. Your presence on the squad will be met with high expectations. Abusive behavior, stealing, lying and any other form of negative behavior, including a “bad attitude”, are grounds for dismissal. Any behavior/actions/activities that may hinder the reputation of the cheerleading program will be dealt with on an individual basis by the cheerleading coach and the Dean of Student Affairs. All cheerleaders must follow the Ethical and Student-Athlete Conduct guidelines listed in the OPSU Student-Athlete Handbook. Any violation will result in consequences deemed appropriate by university administration.



I, ___________________________________ , will dedicate myself to these expectations & guidelines and will strive to help make this program the best that it can be. I also understand that if I do not up hold these expectations and guidelines, then I will face the consequences and/or possibility of losing my scholarship and being removed from the squad for the next semester. If chosen to be an Oklahoma Panhandle State University cheerleader, I understand that all necessary forms will be completed in full, signed and returned to the cheer coach by the set deadline.

Cheer Member (PRINT NAME) __________________________________ Date___________________

Cheer Member (Signature) __________________________________

Date___________________