Collegiate Cheerleading: A Comprehensive Guide to University Cheerleading Squads

Cheerleading at the collegiate level offers a unique blend of athleticism, school spirit, and community engagement. With over 250 colleges offering cheerleading programs across various divisions, prospective student-athletes have a plethora of opportunities to pursue their passion while furthering their education. This guide provides an in-depth look into the world of university cheerleading squads, covering the different divisions, program types, and key considerations for finding the right fit.

Overview of College Cheerleading Programs

The landscape of college cheerleading is diverse, encompassing NCAA Division 1, Division 2, and Division 3, as well as NAIA and junior colleges. Each division and program type offers a distinct experience, catering to different athletic and academic priorities.

Program Variety

Within college cheerleading, programs vary significantly. While the majority are coed, some offer all-girl teams, and a few boast both. The most significant distinction lies in whether a program is competitive or primarily focused on game-day spirit. Competitive teams participate in national competitions, while spirit squads concentrate on supporting athletic teams at games and events.

Competitive vs. Game-Day Programs

Competitive cheerleading demands a substantial time commitment and rigorous training. These teams often compete within the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) or the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA). The NCA emphasizes All-Star cheerleading elements, including dance, stunting, and tumbling, making it a suitable environment for cheerleaders with an All-Star background.

Game-day programs, on the other hand, prioritize generating enthusiasm at football and basketball games. These spirit squads maintain scheduled practices but generally require less intensive training than competitive teams.

Key Aspects of University Cheerleading Squads

Scholarships: Some programs offer cheerleading scholarships, while others provide academic scholarships and grants.
Priority Registration: Certain programs offer priority registration for classes.
Travel Opportunities: Cheerleaders may have the chance to travel to games and competitions.
Access to Athletic Trainers and Facilities: Access to athletic trainers and facilities is commonly provided.
Apparel: Many programs provide team apparel.
Game Tickets: Some programs offer free game tickets.

NCAA Division 1 Cheerleading

With over 150 colleges offering cheerleading, Division 1 is the most extensive. Most Division 1 programs are competitive, participating in UCA or NCA competitions. These programs are often associated with large, public universities, creating an energetic game-day atmosphere.

Division 1A vs. Division 1

Division 1 is further divided into Division 1A and Division 1. While the talent level varies across programs, Division 1 squads are generally more challenging to make than those in other divisions. However, top junior colleges and NAIA teams can possess similar skill levels.

NCAA Division 2 Cheerleading

NCAA Division 2 presents fewer opportunities than Division 1, with 48 cheer colleges. However, these programs offer a balanced approach to academics and athletics. Most Division 2 schools compete in the NCA or UCA, with a smaller number maintaining non-competitive spirit squads. The colleges tend to be smaller than Division 1 institutions. These programs offer all girls and co-ed teams, and a small number of programs offer both squads.

NCAA Division 3 Cheerleading

Division 3 cheerleading comprises 28 colleges, offering all-girl, coed, or both types of teams. The majority participate in UCA or NCA competitions, while a few remain non-competitive. Division 3 schools are typically smaller, with many being private institutions. This division appeals to student-athletes seeking a strong focus on academics or internships alongside competitive cheerleading. Strong academic performance can also increase the chances of receiving academic aid, particularly at private colleges.

Program Quality

It is important to note that the division of a college does not directly correlate with the quality of its cheerleading program. Some Division 3 teams are highly competitive and can rival Division 1 programs.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

NAIA Cheerleading

The National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) governs 50 cheer and dance programs, primarily located in the Midwest and southern states. NAIA schools often attract student-athletes seeking smaller class sizes and flexibility in balancing athletics, academics, and social life. The NAIA hosts its own cheerleading championships, with the top 12 teams competing for the title.

Junior College Cheerleading

Junior colleges offer a unique pathway for aspiring collegiate cheerleaders. While only nine junior colleges have cheerleading programs, some of the top programs nationwide reside within this division, including Navarro College and Trinity Valley Community College in Texas. Junior college cheerleading is divided into advanced and intermediate levels due to the wide range of talent. It can be an excellent option for student-athletes looking to improve their academic standing before transferring to a four-year institution.

Finding the Right Fit

Selecting the right college cheerleading program requires careful consideration of various factors.

Athletic Needs

Competitive vs. Non-Competitive: Determine whether a competitive or game-day program aligns with your athletic goals.
UCA vs. NCA: If pursuing competitive cheerleading, research whether UCA or NCA is a better fit based on your skillset and preferences.
Squad Type: Consider the type of squad you prefer, such as all-girl, coed, or small team.

Academic and Personal Factors

Beyond athletic considerations, it is crucial to evaluate:

Academics: Ensure the college offers your desired academic programs and provides a supportive learning environment.
School Size: Consider whether you thrive in a large university setting or prefer a smaller college atmosphere.
Location: Evaluate the location of the college and its proximity to your support network.
Campus Life: Research the campus culture, extracurricular activities, and social opportunities.

University of Miami Cheerleading Program: A Case Study

The University of Miami's cheerleading program, founded in 1925, exemplifies a longstanding tradition of spirit and athleticism. The program consists of a coed team and an all-girl team. The teams cheer on the sidelines at home and away football games, men’s and women’s basketball games, and home volleyball games. The University of Miami Dance Team, the Sunsations, is the official dance team of the Miami Hurricanes and serve as representatives for the University at various athletic and community events. The Miami Hurricanes Dance Team consists of 18-20 talented dancers who perform on the sidelines at all home football and basketball games and are featured in timeouts as well as during half-time performances.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Tryout Information

All incoming athletes are required to submit a video for the 1st round of tryouts.

Cheerleading Staff

The University of Miami cheerleading program boasts a dedicated and experienced coaching staff:

Cecilia, who has been coaching competitive cheerleading 14 years. In 2016, she became an assistant Varsity Cheerleading Coach at St. Brendan High School where she helped lead the team to its first FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading State Championship. In 2010, she competed at NCA College Nationals with Florida International University and realized then that coaching college cheerleading was her ultimate goal!
Jonni Rogers is the head dance coach for the Sunsations Dance team! She has worked as a freelance choreographer & adjudicator for different pro, college, and competitive dance teams. Jonni has trained in jazz, tap, ballet, and contemporary dance for over 17 years and has led several competitive dance teams as a teacher to award winning seasons for 13 consecutive years. She spent 6 seasons with the Oakland Raiderettes aka: “Football’s Fabulous Females.” With the Raiders Jonni was Rookie of the year, a 3x captain, and performed internationally at Wembley Stadium with recording artist Jess Glynn. Jonni has coached at the collegiate level for over 7 years, collectively at the University of California - Berkeley and at the University of Miami where she formerly coached the Hurricanettes.
Cameron began dancing when she was 9 years old and became a competitive dancer at the age of 10. She danced on her high school dance team for four years and was captain and lead choreographer her senior year. Cameron also competed in the All Star circuit and earned the title of National Champion with her teams over 15 times. She coached her first competitive team when she was 17 and they placed 3rd at the USASF International Dance Worlds Competition. After high school she attended the University of Miami for her undergraduate degree and was a Sunsations Dancer during those four years. Cameron received her BA in Psychology and is now attending graduate school at the University of Miami - pursuing her Master’s in Athletic Training.
Beverly has been instrumental in growing the Spirit Program into what it is today. She started her career at the University in 2005 as the All- Girl Coach, when the program functioned as three separate teams. She continued the team’s tradition of competing at UCA College Nationals through 2009 and then took over the Co-Ed team in 2010 unifying both cheer teams under one coaching staff. Beverly continued to grow in her role in the Athletic department and in 2013 was promoted to Head Spirit Coordinator assuming responsibility of the Sunsations Dance Team and finally streamlining the management of all three spirit squads under one leadership umbrella for the first time in University history.
Jessica is currently a practicing CPA and earned her Bachelor of Business Administration and Masters in Accounting from Miami Herbert Business School. Jessica cheered both for Coconut Creek High School Athletics and competitively at several local programs before joining the University of Miami Cheer Program in 2004. She was a member of the All-Girl team through 2008 and was also a UCA staff member in 2005. During her tenure as a University of Miami Cheerleader the school competed at UCA Nationals and placed in the Top 10 in 2007.

Additional Examples of University Cheerleading Squads

The UT Dallas Cheerleaders are a co-ed team whose primary focus is to elevate school spirit on campus. The cheerleaders can be found leading the crowd in both the fall and spring semesters at women’s volleyball or at men’s and women’s basketball games. They can also be seen at many campus events with special performances during Welcome Week and Homecoming. Because UT Dallas is an NCAA Division III school, they do not offer scholarships for cheerleading.

tags: #university #cheerleading #squads