UNCP Athletics

UNCP SPIRIT SQUAD

The UNCP Spirit Squad is made up of two teams comprised of collegiate level dancers and cheerleaders. You can see the Spirit Squad at UNCP’s football games, basketball games, pep rallies and other events around campus. Both teams are competitive and show off their hard work during the spring semester. The squad is also family to our very own mascot Bravehawk who can been seen entertaining and spreading spirit throughout our campus and various athletic events.
 
Tryouts for the 2023-24 Spirit Squad will be April 1st from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the main gym located inside the English E. Jones Center. Tryouts are open to current students (undergrad and graduate), incoming freshman and transfers. You must be enrolled in 12 hours to be eligible for the teams unless graduating in the fall of 2023.
 
Cheer practice times:
Monday and Thursday from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Dance practice times:
Tuesday and Wednesday from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.


Tryout Requirements:
 
Cheer
Mastery of the tryout material taught at tryouts: choice of stunt, 2 chants, 1 sideline dance and the UNCP fight song.
Toe touch and jump of choice.
Knowledge of correct motion placement.
Knowledge/experience in stunting (Extensions, One-leg stunts, Cradle variations, Basket Tosses and Pyramids)
Flyers must be able to do one-leg (on the right leg) stunts. One-leg stunt variations such as a heel stretch, bow and arrow, arabesque, scorpion and/ or scale are preferred but not required.
Bases and Back spots must be able to base two-leg stunts, one-leg stunts and cradle variations.
Tumbling is not required but can increase your chances of making the team.
At least 3 years of high school, all-star, and/or studio experience
The UNCP Fight Song must be learned before tryouts and can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UY8SVaf1zU

Dance
Mastery of the tryout material provided at tryouts: 1 combination, 2 sideline dances, single and/or double turn and the UNCP fight song.
Knowledge of different dance genres and terminology.
Knowledge of leaps.
Basic pom motions.
Tumbling is not required but increase your chances of making the team.
At least 3 years of high school, all-star, and/or studio experience 
The UNCP Fight Song must be learned before tryouts and can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UY8SVaf1zU

What to wear:
Each person trying out needs to look neat, clean and well put together.
T-shirts with sleeves are preferable for cheer, but not mandatory.
If you are wearing shorts, please make sure they are an appropriate length.
Cheer hair needs to be neat and out of the face (can be worn in a ponytail or half-up).
Dance hair needs to be neat and can be down or up.
Make-up is not mandatory, but you need to look game day ready!
Please have on the correct athletic shoe for whichever team you are trying out for.
Briefs under your shorts are not mandatory but are preferred.
You can bring poms to tryout with but are not mandatory.

Academic Requirements
College students must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in order to tryout. You must maintain a 2.2 GPA after becoming a member of the team in order to continue participation in events. You must have a minimum of 12 class hours (full time student) per semester to remain on the team. 

Selection for the Team
Coach Freeman will select members of the UNCP Spirit Squad based on mastery of the criteria listed above.

Questions
Kristen Freeman, Head Coach Kfreeman@uncp.edu

Bring to tryouts:
You must complete and return Spirit Squad tryout information form with signature and interview question response.
Tryout history and physical Form (signed by a physician within a year of the tryout).
A completed waiver.
A print out or picture of your cumulative GPA for anyone trying out as a sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student.
A headshot or photo (professional or unprofessional) that clearly depicts your face with your name, the team you are trying out for (cheer or dance) and the stunt position (cheer only) that you are trying out for listed on the back of the picture.
A three to four sentence reference letter from a coach, teacher, boss, etc.
 
 ANYONE NOT COMPLETING AND RETURNING ALL FORMS AND TEST RESULTS WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO TRYOUT FOR THE UNCP SPIRIT SQUAD.


APPLICATION
Printable Spirit Squad Tryout Form
Waiver and Release for Tryout
Physical Form - must be within a year of tryout date

Follow us on Instagram at @uncpspiritsquad for weekly tryout updates and Spirit Squad information.