University of Memphis Athletics
2020-21 Spirit Squad Tryouts
2020-21 Tryout Information
Thank you for your interest in the spirit program at the University of Memphis. Not only are we fortunate to have one of the top educational institutions in the country but one of the finest spirit programs as well. We are very serious about the excellence of our department and are actively seeking quality individuals to utilize their talents, while pursuing a higher education and be a part of the Tiger Spirit Squads.
Due to the Coronavirus and social distancing measures that are currently in place, tryouts for the University of Memphis Spirit Squads will be conducted online for cheer and dance. Tryouts for mascots will be conducted online and may require a live audition as well.
Due to social distancing, we encourage you to submit video footage that you already have and/or that you can do from home. We do not expect nor do we encourage you to leave your home to capture the skills on video. Additionally, please only provide video with the skills requested! It will not benefit you to show additional skills. In fact, your ability to follow directions will be part of the evaluation!
We are looking for well-rounded student athletes who will be committed team members who will exemplify athleticism through their skill level, fitness, health and work ethic. The Memphis Spirit Squads are highly visible within our community and therefore must be able to represent the University in a positive way by maintaining an athletic/professional appearance.
A $50 tryout fee is due with submission of your paperwork.
A $30 tryout fee is due for anyone who was a member of the 2019-20 squads.
We ONLY accept checks or money orders made out to: University of Memphis Spirit Squads.
You must mail in your payment and all paperwork by May 4, 2020 (for cheer and dance)
Submit all paperwork and payment to:
University of Memphis Spirit Squads
Attention: Carol Lloyd Cross
12475 Hwy 57
Moscow, TN 38057
Please include the following paperwork along with your payment:
- University of Memphis Spirit Squad application
- Non-returnable headshot
- Proof of Admission to the University of Memphis (copy of acceptance letter OR University ID)
- University of Memphis consent to participate form
- Copy of your insurance policy card (front/back)
- $50 or $30 tryout fee (check or money order made to University of Memphis Spirit Squads)
*Payment and paperwork due dates*
CHEER and DANCE: MAY 4, 2020
DANCE ONLINE TRYOUT INFORMATION:
Prior dance experience is required. In addition to skills and solo, you will also be required to perform routines in pom, hip hop and jazz styles. We expect a high level of technical strength, physical endurance, versatility, musicality, showmanship, control and body awareness.
Friday, May 15, 2020:
Round 1 video submission: *if you were a member of the 2019-2020 squad, you are not required to do this portion of the audition and automatically advance to round 2*
- Please start your video by stating your name and where you are from.
- All applicants will receive an email with a YouTube link of a band dance by 3 pm CST. You will be required to email your YouTube link with an introduction and band dance (with poms) by 6 pm CST. (Must be on one link only)
- Attire: all candidates must wear black crop top/sports bra and black boy shorts (no high waist briefs/shorts are allowed) hair should be down and game day curled or styled. If you have bangs, they should be pinned off your face. Makeup should be performance ready.
- Once videos are evaluated, applicants will be notified May 16, 2020 by 9am CST if you have advanced to round 2.
Round 2 video submission (May 16): You will receive an email with the YouTube link of a hip-hop and jazz combination you are to learn and video. Please email one YouTube link per combination, stating your name and the combination you will be performing by 1:00 pm CST.
(example “Hi I’m Sally Smith and this is the jazz combination”)
Attire: jazz-crop top of choice with brief shorts. Hip hop-outfit of choice (no sports bras or brief shorts are allowed for this portion)
- Applicants will be notified of their interview times that will be between 1:00-3:00 pm CST. These interviews will take place on Zoom, so please download the app prior to May 16, 2020. Not everyone will receive an interview notification.
- Once round 2 videos have been evaluated, you will be notified by email by 9:00 am CST Sunday May 17, 2020 if you made the final round of auditions.
Final round of auditions (on May 17): (all new candidates and any member that has been on the team for 1-2 years)
There will be a list of required skills that are to be performed in a specific order on an unedited YouTube video link along with a YouTube link of a solo (style of your choice up to 2 minutes) your solo video can be something previously recorded if you prefer.
Skills that will be required on the video may include but not limited to:
- Right pirouette (as many as you can do)
- Advanced turns in second (must include changing spots, pirouettes)
- Leg extensions
- Leg turns
- Optional flexibility skills
- Toe touches
- Optional jumps
- Turning disc
- Calypso
- Headspring (to standing position required)
- Rubberband
- Aerial (required) (both sides encouraged but not required)
- Front aerial (optional but encouraged)
- Optional hip hop tricks of choice
**BOTH VIDEO LINKS must be emailed by 12:00 pm CST Sunday, May 17, 2020
Attire: skills portion-crop top of choice with brief shorts (no high waist shorts allowed) and costume of choice for your solo.
**ALL VIDEOS ARE EMAILED TO: calloyd1@memphis.edu
**2020-2021 University of Memphis Pom Squad will be announced on social media May 20, 2020**
CHEER ONLINE TRYOUT INFORMATION:
Prior cheer experience is required. Members are chosen based on appearance, communication skills, crowd appeal, motion placement and timing, tumbling skills and partner stunt abilities.
Friday May 8, 2020:
Round 1 video submission:
- All applicants will receive an email with a YouTube link of a Fight Song/Sideline by 2pm CST. You will be required to email your YouTube link with an introduction and Day 1 requirements (with poms) by 6pm CST. (Must be on one link only)
- Please email videos to trcrump@memphis.edu AND calloyd1@memphis.edu
- Attire: all candidates must wear a black, blue or white crop top/sports bra with black shorts or black spanks
- Hair should be in a low pony with bow (white or blue) tails facing backwards and game day curled. All hair must be off your face and pinned back if needed. Makeup should be performance ready.
Video contents:
- Introduction
- Standing Tuck
- BHS-BHS Back Tuck
- Specialty Standing Tumbling (i.e., BHS-BHS Full, Standing Full etc.)
- Round BHS Full or Your best Roundoff BHS tuck/Layout
- Specialty running pass (whip, arabian, punch, etc.) to full
- Fight Song (full) With both tucks. (dead Mat/grass)
- 2 sidelines Chants
Saturday May 9, 2020:
Round 2 video submission: You will have received an email requesting to see day 2 skills.
- All skills must be on one link. (Ability to follow directions will come into play).
- Videos must be submitted by 12 pm May 9, 2020 and sent to trcrump@memphis.edu AND calloyd1@memphis.edu
Video contents:
COED
- Toss extension/ Liberty pop off
- Full up Stretch full corkscrew down to feet (or best toss stunt)
- Single Flipping skill/ Inverted Skill
- Stunt Sequence- Two elite stunts with transition.
ALL GIRL
- Quick Toss Extension
- Straight up extension
- Straight up stretch pop off dismount/bump down*(body position variations encouraged)
- Full up extension w/pop off dismount
- Full Up immediate liberty/stretch dismount
- Single Flipping/Inverted stun
- Stunt Sequence- Two Elite stunts with transition
***PLEASE STICK TO THESE VARIATIONS OF STUNTS***
Attention-if you have any questions about stunt requirements and what stunts you have on previous videos, please email Tony Crump trcrump@memphis.edu prior to video 2 submission day!
Applicants will be notified of their interview times that will be between 1:00-4:00 pm CST. These interviews will take place on Zoom, so please download the app prior to May 3, 2020. Not everyone will receive an interview notification. Once round 2 videos have been evaluated and interviews are completed that will conclude the tryout process.
Friday, May 15, 2020
Team placement will be announced via our social media accounts Instagram, twitter and Facebook @ 12 pm CST.
Following the announcement, 2020-2021 team members will be sent an email link to join in on the first official team welcome meeting via ZOOM. Meeting will be held at 1:30 pm CST.
Please note that if all required skills are not performed at the first practice, you are subject to be removed from the squad.
MASCOT TRYOUT INFORMATION:
Because most students have little or no mascot experience prior to college, we would like to hold a meeting in advance to answer any questions and to reassure everyone that no prior experience is needed and we will teach you everything that you need to know. Due to social distancing, we are unable to meet in person, so a virtual interview will take place to answer any questions you may have prior to tryouts.
Pouncer is fun loving, energetic, funny, dependable and very charismatic! We are looking for someone who can put on the costume and become Pouncer. Each prospective mascot will be evaluated on the following:
- Projection and Showmanship
- Character Development
- Skit Idea
- Interview
Please email Calloyd1@memphis.edu for more information on how mascot tryouts will be held for the new season!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN MEMPHIS SPIRIT SQUADS, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR VIDEOS!
