2025-2026 Drake University Cheerleading Tryout Information
Cheer Handbook
2025-2026 Tryouts
Tryouts for the 2025-2026 season will be registration only. All interested athletes must submit a 2025-2026 Cheer Tryout Application. The completion of the form, in addition to providing necessary personal information, is intended to streamline the tryout process in terms of stunt group creation. Tryouts will take place on April 6th, with a strongly encouraged open gym in the evening on April 5th. You must register for the events below in order to participate.
April 5th – Recommended Open Gym
Location: Knapp Center, 2601 Forest Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50311 U.S.
Time: 6:00-8:00 PM
Attire:
- Ladies: You should wear a sports bra or fitted top, spandex, and cheer or athletic shoes. Hair should be in a sleek low ponytail. Makeup should look clean and natural. NO JEWELRY IS PERMITTED.
- Gentlemen: You should wear a plain, athletic fit t-shirt and athletic shorts. Men’s attire should not be too fitted.
Event Structure: Athletes will have the opportunity to learn and practice skills prior to tryouts. Stunt groups will be formed and provided time to prepare their desired tryout stunts. While we will review the D-Song, athletes are encouraged to learn review ahead of time. This event is strongly encouraged for all interested athletes, especially those with limited cheerleading experience.
April 6th – Formal Tryouts
Location: Knapp Center, 2601 Forest Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50311 U.S.
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Attire:
- Ladies: You should wear a sports bra, spandex, and cheer or athletic shoes. Hair should be pulled back half up half down with a ribbon. Makeup should look clean and natural. NO JEWELRY IS PERMITTED.
- Gentlemen: You should wear a plain, athletic fit t-shirt and athletic shorts. Men’s attire should not be too fitted.
Event Structure:
- Athletes will perform to a panel of judges two jumps, at least three stunts, running tumbling, standing tumbling, a sideline cheer, and the D-Song.
-
- While there will be practice time at the beginning of the day, stunt groups are encouraged to form at the open gym taking place the prior evening.
-
- Additional points will be given for those displaying multiple stunt positions or being in others’ tryout groups.
-
- Tumbling and prior cheer experience are NOT required in order to be on the team.
- Game day appearance is evaluated critically. It is crucial that athletes demonstrate their ability to represent themselves and Drake University appropriately and professionally.
- One hour of material practice & review, individual evaluations to follow. Athletes may leave once all individuals have performed (likely prior to event end time). The final roster will be distributed via email as well as posted on the door by 2pm.
Virtual Tryout
A virtual tryout option will be available to those living more than three hours away from campus. All candidates wishing to utilize this option must submit a 2025-2026 Cheer Tryout Application with the required tryout video by April 1, 2025 at 5 PM central time. Video tryouts will be evaluated during the in-person tryout with the announcement of the full squad roster at the conclusion of the day. The criteria for the required video is listed below.
Tryout Video Criteria:
Videos do not have to be produced professionally, but your image, introduction, and skills demonstrated should highlight your strengths as a student-athlete in a professional manner.
An applicant’s tryout video must adhere to USA Cheer guidelines. Please refer to the following rules:
https://usacheer.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-25-USA-Cheer-College-Rules-Final.pdf
- Videos must be filmed horizontally.
- Please, no music in any of the clips.
- Videos should be current and from within the last 4 months.
- Please only include one video of each skill.
Attire:
- Ladies: You should wear a sports bra, spandex, and cheer or athletic shoes. Hair should be pulled back half up half down with a ribbon. Makeup should look clean and natural. NO JEWELRY IS PERMITTED.
- Gentlemen: You should wear a plain, athletic fit t-shirt and athletic shorts. Men’s attire should not be too fitted.
Tryout Requirements: In addition to your tryout packet, you should submit a video of the following:
- Personal Introduction (name, hometown, cheer team/gym, current/intended major, stunt position)
- Toe touch, jump of choice (pike, front hurdler, double toe touch)
- Two basic stunts
-
- Cupie with pop down or cradle dismount
-
- Lib/heel stretch/ arabesque with cradle or full down dismount
-
- Stunts with twisting, inversions, switching, etc.
-
- Show 1-2 passes. Preferred skills: round off BHS, round off tuck
-
- Show 1-2 skills/passes. Preferred skills: standing BHS, standing back tuck
-
- Video provided, please perform to music or words
Please direct any questions regarding the tryout process and required materials to meghan.benson@drake.edu ASAP.
