Lipscomb Cheerleading FAQ's

 

1)      How many cheerleaders compose your squad?  This year we have a 15-participant all-girl team.  For the 2008-09 school year we plan to field a 16-member team.  We will continue to be all-girl unless a minimum of 4 males earn scores that exceed the females' scores.  In that situation, we will field 4 males and 12 females. 

2)      How many games do you cheer?  We cheer at ALL home games for Men's and Women's basketball as well as all local conference games.  Other games may be added, determined by the cheerleaders, coach, and athletic department.  Post-season tournaments, including the NCAA national tournament, are required. Cheerleaders will receive a calendar listing all events as soon as basketball schedules are released.

3)      How many times per week do you practice?  After tryouts we held a weekend camp and practiced in September and October two evenings per week.  Tuesdays and Thursdays were the best days for the 2008 squad, but the days for this year will be selected once the 2009 squad is in place.  During season we practiced only as needed for special performances.

4)      How are tryouts run?  Tryouts are held on a Saturday morning and formatted like a practice.  There is no material to be learned ahead of time -- everything will be taught that morning.  All female candidates should wear purple shorts, a Lipscomb shirt, and a white bow.  Paperwork will be distributed at an informational meeting earlier in the week.

5)      What Athletic rules do the cheerleaders follow?  Because the NCAA does not currently list cheerleading as a sanctioned sport, we have no restrictions on official visits or eligibility.  You are able to visit campus, tour with a cheerleader, or come to a basketball game with me as much as you please.  I would love to sit with any prospects during the games and answer questions, so please let me know if you ever plan on attending.  Like the athletic programs, I do require a minimal 2.0 GPA to participate.

6)      Do the LU Cheerleaders compete?  We do not currently compete in any local or Nationals competitions.  I feel like the first role of the cheerleader is to create a positive game-day experience for fans, students, and players.  While competition brings recognition to programs, it's not my first priority at this time.  Our team is very talented, but competition is not on our list right now.

7)      What is required to tryout?  I require no minimum skills to attend tryouts.  Be ready to show any standing and running tumbling, and we will have spotting available because I want to see how close you are to achieving a skill.  My best advice is to show where YOU best fit the picture.  If tumbling isn't your best, show me that you're an incredible base, top, or spot.  If you're average at stunts, show me where exactly YOU fit the picture, and why I can't possibly have a team without you on it! J

8)      Do the Lipscomb Cheerleaders receive any scholarship?  Yes, our cheerleaders are granted $1000 toward tuition on their spring semester tuition bill following the winter sports season.  Multiple demerits for absences, tardiness, or unbefitting behavior may result in loss of scholarship. 

For more information, please contact cheerleading coach Amy Cozart at acozart@uca.com or 615-790-0919.