Mission:

The mission of the USC Upstate spirit squad is to facilitate a fan experience that is representative of fun, pride, and support for USC Upstate athletic teams through engaging entertainment in the form of dancing, cheering, and the building and maintaining of tradition.

It is also the purpose of the USC Upstate spirit squad to develop students of character by providing them with an experience that will help them gain and refine their dance, cheer, and leadership skills. For more information please contact Amanda Wallace via email at amanda.wallace1189@gmail.com.

USC Upstate Cheerleading Tryouts (April 19-21, 2013)

Release form March 16
Release form April 19-21 

Tryout Requirements:

The USC Upstate spirit squad will be a hybrid team featuring both cheer and dance components.  There will be cheering, to help create an involved fan experience, and dancing to provide engaging entertainment. The cheer portion will focus on sidelines and crowd pleasers, while the dancing will be a combination of pom and hip-hop dance styles. A background in cheer and dance is required; strong hip-hop and pom skills preferred.

Exceptional cheer and dance skills are only the first of the criteria required to be on the team.  Members should be able to quickly learn and retain choreography and perform with style, accuracy, and energy.  Members will work in conjunction with the coach to develop choreography for the team, so choreography skills and creativity will be highly preferred.

The final portion of the judging is based on image and appearance; each member serves as a representative of the University of South Carolina Upstate and is constantly in the public eye. Because of this, members are expected to uphold a collegiate image that meets standards of physical fitness, presentation and personality.

April 19^th: 5:30-9:00

April 20^th: 9:00-1:00

April 21^st: Interviews

USC Upstate students who are trying out will be asked to do the following:

• Potential members will learn one sideline.
• Potential members will perform an original sideline cheer of their own.
• Potential members will learn a 30 second dance.
• Potential members will perform an originally choreographed dance of their own. The music selection for this dance will be posted on the cheerleading webpage.
• Potential members will have a 1:1 interview with the coach
• Potential members will also be able to demonstrate any tumbling they may have and will work briefly with groups on stunting.
• Potential members will also demonstrate:
  • Toe Touch
  • Double Toe Touch
  • Hurdler
  • Pike
  • Kicks (left and right)
  • Chaine Turn (left and right)

Tryout Music and Dance:

 Please click here for the music clip. This will be the song those trying out will use to make up their dance. During tryouts, the music clip will be played all the way through the end. Any questions concerning the music or dance should be directed to Amanda Wallace.   

Attire Requirements:

Females: Form-fitted clothing for safety (i.e., tanks or sports bras/rally shorts, jazz pants) and cheer or dance shoes
Please come with hair down with a game day appearance each day.

Males: T-shirt, shorts and athletic shoes

Attendance Requirements:

All participants must be present for all three days of the tryout process.