The University’s cheerleading program hosted a dance and partner-stunt tryout clinic Sunday at the Moshofsky Center. On a drizzly afternoon, more than 100 young men and women attended the three-hour event, some from as far as Newport, Ore.; Spokane, Wash.; and Federal Way, Wash.; in order to dance to choreographed routines, practice stunts, and get performance pointers from current members of the Ducks cheerleading squad. The event was one of two scheduled clinics; the next event will be held next Sunday, Feb. 25, at the same location.
Team Captain Erin Burris said the clinic is an opportunity for many aspiring cheerleaders, and even those who left the activity behind after high school, to experience what she called “the Oregon cheerleading style.”
“It’s a little bit more geared towards large crowds,” said Burris, “and it’s obviously more challenging, (because) you’re at the collegiate level and Division I.”
“A lot of kids coming out of high school, and even some people who are in college, have never experienced a tryout quite like one that you would have for college,” Burris said, “and so it’s a good opportunity to have them to experience what it would be like” on the larger stage.
Attendees at Sunday’s event were able to rehearse dance moves to various pop songs, and even perform some high-flying stunt tosses. Stunt team member Tony Kau said timing is important in avoiding injury, as is understanding and a “general trust that both partners are doing their job.”
The clinic also presented an opportunity for former cheerleaders and dancers who do not necessarily want to join the team to relive cheers gone by; however, a more important purpose underlies the day’s activities.
Not only does the clinic serve as a squad fundraiser, head coach Laraine Raish said, but it is also a chance for coaches to scout for prospective members come tryout time in mid-April.
The clinic is a chance “for us to take a real good look at people who do show up and see if there are any specific people who we’d like to talk to individually and actually recruit,” said Raish.
According to posted applicant requirements on the team’s Web site, stunt-performers and dancers all must be athletic and “well-groomed.” Men must have a “clean-cut appearance and good character.” Also, prospective squad members must also be “proportioned height to weight,” very athletic, and able to dance or perform stunts capably. But there is a certain special quality, Raish said, that only a few possess.
“You can tell if someone is polished and ready for this,” said Raish. “It does take a certain amount of polish.”
Those interested in cheerleading must submit an application, along with photo, to Raish no later than April 13. Actual tryouts are scheduled this year for April 18-20, and the final roster is set on April 22. Cheerleaders who make the team may receive scholarship money, money for travel to away games, tickets for family members to Ducks athletic events and Nike apparel, among other benefits. Cheerleaders who have made the team in the past have generally stayed on the team for three, four or five years, Raish said.
“That tells me that the program is really good,” said Raish, “and (the cheerleaders) are getting what they need out of it, as well as giving of themselves to all of the things they must do.”
The Feb. 25 clinic is open to anyone in college or high school who wants to find out if they’ve got the right stuff to be an Oregon Ducks cheerleader next year. No pre-registration is required.