Feb. 13, 2004

Cheerleader Information Sheet

Dear Prospective Cheerleader:

We are pleased to learn of your interest in the cheerleading program at the University of Miami. The program consists of two teams: Co-ed and All-Girl.

The Co-ed squad includes seven females and eight males. Places for this team are selective. Females are required to have a minimum round off with two back handsprings and a standing back tuck. The ability to perform over-the-head partner stunts is mandatory. Females must have Co-ed stunting experience in order to tryout for this team. Males must be athletic and in good shape physically. You will also be taught a cheer and a dance (females only) at tryouts.

The All-Girl squad consists of approximately 15 females. Women trying out for this team will be expected to perform basic stunts (either as a base, flyer or back spot). A minimum standing back tuck and a round off with at least two backhand springs is required to make this team. A cheer and a dance will be taught during the tryout. Students who wish to tryout for this team must have previous cheerleading, gymnastics and/or dance experience. Places for this team are extremely selective as this squad competes annually on a national level.

Tryouts for the Coed and All-Girl team are held together and you may tryout for both teams. However, you are asked to rank the order of your preference of teams. Miami does not have a traditional tryout. We have a two day practice and at the end of the final day the coaches select the teams, not outside judges. In addition to learning a cheer and a dance, you will be placed in pyramids and basket tosses. For partner stunting, you should come to tryouts prepared to show us what you can do. The more advanced your stunting the bigger advantage you may have.

Tryout dates are posted on the website www.hurricanesports.com when announced each year.

Both teams start their season with a weekend retreat in mid-June and begin two a day practices in early August, prior to the start of school, in preparation for UCA college camp and the first football game. The season continues through football, volleyball and basketball season. A small amount of traveling is required. Both teams cheer home football, basketball (Co-ed/men's, All Girl/women's) and volleyball games. The teams split travel to away football games, the ACC Championship game and bowl games. In addition the Co-ed team travels to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament and the All-Girl squad to the Atlantic Coast Conference Women's Basketball Tournament both of these events are held in March. Once school begins the two teams practice at least three times per week and participate in various University promotional/community service events throughout the year. The commitment to the teams is from early August until late March. Squad members are awarded a small book stipend, which does not count against their financial aid award.

Individuals who tryout for the cheer teams at the University must be full-time students or accepted freshman for the fall. The squad's grades are monitored and cheerleaders must maintain a cumulative 2.00 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, in order to remain on the teams. The Department of Athletics provides academic support at no charge to the cheerleaders.

The University of Miami cheerleaders are an important public relations tool as well as an athletic team. Therefore, individuals must have a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and school spirit. The main role of a UM cheerleader is to promote the Hurricane athletic program and lead the crowd at games.

We hope we have provided valuable information about our program. Please complete the prospective cheerleader form (the link is at the top of this page) and return it to the address listed. You may also cut and paste and return via email to either of the head coaches. The UM Cheer Coaches are part time employees of the University and do not have offices on campus. We are only on campus during the evenings for practice, so it will be impossible for us to meet with you during your tour of the University. However, please contact us so you may stop by one of our practices held between September and March. If you have further questions please email Monica Sanchez at msanchez@palmertrinity.org or Beverly Perez at BPCHEERS@aol.com . GO CANES!

Sincerely,

Tyler Wessel twessel@umiami.edu
Assistant Director of Events/Cheer Advisor

Monica Sanchez msanchez@palmertrinity.org
Joe Sanchez joesanchez@palmertrinity.org
Co-ed Coach

Beverly Perez BPCHEERS@aol.com.
All-Girl Coach