Tryouts and Recruitment

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Auditions and Recruitment

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the 2027-2028 Utah Valley University Cheer Team!

Our program uses a hybrid recruitment model where we select up to 4 members to our program through recruitment and we select our other positions through an open tryout.

The Utah Valley Cheer Team is looking for advanced athletes who represent our team and University with pride and professionalism. We want cheerleaders that are passionate about UVU and are serious about being a part of our program.

As a member of our team you will be a student-athlete. We are looking for individuals who will put a focus on being a student while maintaining the busy schedule that comes with an extracurricular collegiate sport.

At UVU, aside from skillset, we value the RIGHT team members. Although we are a highly competitive program, we spend most of our season supporting UVU at athletic and community events.

If our values and skills fit you as a cheerleader, then we encourage you to follow the recruitment process.

Recruitment Information

To be considered for recruitment you must complete the following steps:

  1. Submit an application and video submission - application and video submission. This link will open August 1st and videos are due by January 1st.
  2. Attend at least one of our in-person clinics, camps, or intensives on UVU Campus before March 2027.

Recruitment Video Guidelines:

The NCSA (Next College Student Athlete) is a recruiting network that facilitates video guidelines for potential college recruits wanting to be seen by college coaches. Guidelines

This video should include:

  • Rally/Cheer: Vocal Clarity, Projection, Showmanship, Professional Appearance
  • Tumbling: Standing tuck and toe tuck, Hand-to-hand layout or full Running Tumbling, Round-off handspring layout or full, Running pass (optional)
  • Jumping: Toe touch, Hurdler, Pike Flexibility, Technique, Height
  • Stunting: Back handspring up, double down, Minimum requirement for both bases/backspots and flyers is a full up heel stretch. Candidates will be asked to perform a stunt sequence of their choice. Collegiate level stunts will have higher value, such as back handspring ups, rewinds, and elite-level dismounts. Flyers should be able to demonstrate their flexibility through multiple body positions.

Athletes can begin to submit videos to our staff starting on August 1st.

We will send a confirmation email within 14 days of your submission that we have received your video.

Graduating high school seniors (class of 2027) or current UVU students/transfer students interested in being a part of the 2027-2028 Utah Valley University Cheer Team can expect the following timeline:

Timeline for UVU Cheer Team Recruitment:

August 1, 2026 - Registration form available on UVU Cheer Team website. We will accept submissions until the January 1 deadline.

September 2026 – Spring 2027 - Evaluation period

March – April 2027 – up to 4 recruits announced

If you are not selected as a recruit for the UVU Cheer Team, please attend our in-person tryout in 2027.

Tryout Information

Application Information

Dates

May 14th, 2026 at 11:55 PM

Application Deadline

May 15th - 16th, 2026

Tryouts

UVU cheerleaders in a lift

Qualifications & Program Requirements

  •  Must be admitted to UVU at time of application
    Apply to UVU
  • Have a 2.5 minimum cumulative GPA at time of application
  • Must maintain a 2.5 cumulative and semester GPA while participating in the program
  • Must be a full-time student (enrolled in 12 credits or more) while participating in the program 
  • Commit to 10 – 15 hours per week for practice, meetings, appearances, performances, etc. during the fall/spring semester
  • Must attend and participate in all required camps, practices, and meetings during the summer semester 
  • Pay annual program participation fee of $2,400.00 (payment plans available). Additional travel costs for USA Nationals.
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle free of eating disorders, self-mutilation, drug abuse, prescription drug abuse, alcohol abuse, inappropriate use of performance enhancing drugs, etc. 
  • Promote and actively contribute to a culture of teamwork, respect, professionalism, and punctuality 
  • Conduct and present oneself in a way that reflects professionalism, respect, and kindness towards others and the University both in person and on the internet 
  • Maintain and develop technical abilities while participating in the program

Application Components

There are several components to the UVU Cheer Team application, including a required $40 non-refundable audition fee and proof of a physical completed by a medical professional. Please read through all the application details and instructions to ensure you complete it correctly.

The following are the application components:

  • General Student Information 
  • Participant Award (Scholarship) Information 
  • General Terms & Agreements 
  • Acknowledgment of Required Dates & Practices 
  • Responses to Application Questions (short essay format) 
  • Resume Upload: Include all cheer training, leadership roles, stunting and tumbling experience, competition titles, and teaching or choreography opportunities you have had. 
  • Letter of Recommendation Upload 
  • UVU Physical Form Upload 
  • Reference Information 
  • Waiver Agreement 
  • Proof of $40 Audition Fee: Pay through the Spirit Squad Payment Portal and upload receipt.

UVU cheerleaders

Open Gym

Open Gym is your chance to practice the skills and stunts you’ll need for tryouts. Candidates will be asked to find others to stunt with for their final tryouts, and Open Gym is a good place to find those who you stunt with best.

During open gym, you will practice the following:

  • Jumps
  • Standing Tumbling 
  • Running Tumbling 
  • Stunt(s)

Dates & Time: Tuesday, May 12th (optional) | Wednesday, May 13th (mandatory) | Thursday, May 14th (mandatory) | 5pm-7pm

Location: SLWC MAC Court (SL 306)

Tryout Information

May 15th - 16th, 2026 - SLWC MAC Court (SL 306)

During the tryout, each candidate will showcase the following:

  • Standing Tumbling
  • Running Tumbling
  • Jumps 
  • Stunt(s)

UVU Cheer tryouts happen in two rounds over the course of two days. After the first round, candidates will be notified if they advance to the second round.

In addition to the skills audition, finalists will participate in an interview with the Spirit Squad staff. The new UVU Cheer Team will be announced the following week.

Please wear the following to tryouts: 

  • Solid color cheer short or spandex 
  • Solid color tank or sports bra 
  • Hair either in 1/2 up or ponytail with a bow
  • Cheer/athletic shoe

Skill Requirements

To ensure the safety of everyone, please do not perform any skills that have not been mastered prior to your tryout.

Rally/Cheer:

  • Vocal clarity
  • Projection 
  • Showmanship 
  • Professional appearance

Standing Tumbling: 

  • Standing tuck and toe touch tuck 
  • Hand-to-hand layout or full Running Tumbling: 
  • Round-off handspring layout or full 
  • Running pass (optional)

Jumping: 

  • Toe touch 
  • Hurdler 
  • Pike flexibility 
  • Technique 
  • Height

Stunting:

  • Back handspring up, double down
  • Minimum requirement for both bases/backspots and flyers is a full up heel stretch 
  • Candidates will be asked to perform a stunt sequence of their choice. Collegiate-level stunts will be scored higher, such as back handspring ups, rewinds, and elite-level dismounts. Flyers should be able to demonstrate their flexibility through multiple body positions.

*Utah Valley University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age (40 and over), disability status, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions, citizenship, genetic information, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.