Bronx, N.Y. - Tryouts for the 2019-2020 Fordham University Cheer Team and Mascot will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. in the Lombardi Field House on the Rose Hill Campus.
 
The cheer team and mascot attend all home football, men's basketball, and women's basketball games, with a travel team of 12 plus a mascot for away football games and men's and women's
basketball Atlantic 10 tournaments.
 
Tryout Requirements (Cheer):

• Previous cheerleading experience highly preferred.
• Tumbling: Standing back handspring. Any running pass is acceptable, although not required.
• Stunts: Single leg stunting (lib, stretch, aero) in any position. Full downs and quick downs in any position. Spinning technique in any position. Advanced dismounts in any position. Ability to pick up our count structure and style quickly. Comfortability in multiple positions welcomed, although not required. Everyone will be incorporated into college level pyramids (three high) to evaluate ability and progression.
• Demonstration of a cheer and dance which will be taught at the tryout.

Please note: Candidates not able to perform some of the above skills may be considered if he/she shows exceptional ability in other areas. Game team has 16 spots, travel team has 12 spots (of the 16), practice team has 4 spots.
 
Males and females: Please wear black or gray shorts, a white t-shirt, and cheer sneakers or other comparable athletic shoe. Females: hair up (ponytail or bun; no bow), light makeup, short nails, and absolutely no jewelry.
 
Tryout Requirements (Mascot):

• Prepare a 45-60 second skit with music
• Prop Work
• Game Day Scenarios
• Basic stunting (thigh stand and prep level)

Please come in athletic attire and be ready to get in the suit. We will be providing suits for candidates to use. Three (3) spots open.
 
Commitment (Cheer and Mascot):

• Must commit to program for two full semesters
• Must be available for training camp in August
• Must be able to commit to approximately 20-30 hours per week (lift, practices, games, other university appearances as necessary)
• Must be enrolled as a full-time student at Fordham University and must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA
• Must be accountable, timely and responsible

You must also bring the following with you to the tryout (Cheer and Mascot):

• Acceptance letter and proof of enrollment (first year students and transfers); fall 2019 class schedule (upperclassmen)
• A completed and signed participant release form
• Health insurance information
• Proof of a physical within the past year

If you are unable to attend the tryout in person, video tryouts are acceptable; please provide a brief introduction and demonstrate all of the above requirements in the video and email to Mikela Ryan at mryan78@fordham.edu.
 
If you have any questions, please reach out to Mikela Ryan, Head Coach, at mryan78@fordham.edu.
 
SCHEDULE FOR MAY 4, 2019
12:45 p.m. - Arrival at Lombardi Field House, Rose Hill Campus; paperwork, etc.
1:00 p.m. - Brief welcome and introduction
1:10 p.m. – Stretch
 
CHEER
1:20 p.m. - Learn cheer and dance
2 p.m. - STUNTING
3:45 p.m. - BREAK
4:00 p.m. - Warm up tumbling/jumps
4:15 p.m. - TRYOUT demo cheer, dance, tumbling, jumps in small groups)
5:15/5:30 p.m. - 1-1s with coach
5:40 p.m. LIST POSTED/TEAM MEETING
 
MASCOT
1:20 p.m. - 1-1s with coach/game day/improve
2 p.m. - STUNTING
3:45 p.m. - BREAK
4:00 p.m. - Suit up, single skit presentation
5:40 p.m. LIST POSTED/TEAM MEETING