The University of Florida Cheerleading Program: A Tradition of Spirit and Athleticism

The University of Florida (UF) boasts a vibrant cheerleading program that plays a vital role in fostering school spirit and supporting Gator athletics. Comprising two co-ed squads, the Orange and Blue teams, and the Dazzlers dance team, the UF spirit program represents the university at athletic events, community activities, and national competitions.

Squad Structure and Responsibilities

The University of Florida has two co-ed cheerleading squads. The Blue squad, composed of six to eight females and six to eight males, cheers for football, men's basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics. The Blue squad also makes regular appearances representing the University at alumni, athletic, charitable, and public relations activities. The Orange squad is composed of six to eight females and six to eight males, cheers for home football games, volleyball, women's basketball, and gymnastics.

Both teams will practice 2-3 times per week and work on tumbling and stunting skills, as well as preparing for various upcoming appearances and games. Practice times and days will vary each semester depending on facility availability and events. All practices are held inside the O'Connell Center.

Tryouts and Requirements

The try-out process will last for three days - Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday. You must be a full-time University of Florida student with a minimum grade point average of 2.5, semester and cumulative. If you are an incoming freshman or an incoming transfer student you must have an official letter of acceptance attached to your application. If you have applied as a transfer student and will not find out if you will be accepted till June 2018 for the Fall 2018 semester, you ARE permitted to tryout. Women must do a no-handed backflip just to audition. Women who attend the pre-tryout prep clinics must shell out a $75 entry fee.

The Dazzlers Dance Team

The Dazzlers are the official dance team of the Florida Gators and serve as representatives for the University Athletic Association at various athletic and community events. The Dazzlers perform and make appearances at football games, volleyball matches, gymnastics meets, home baseball weekend series’, and all men’s and women’s basketball games. Additionally, team members volunteer in the community through the UAA Goodwill Gators program on a monthly basis as well as make appearances in an official capacity approximately once per week.

All Dazzlers are expected to perform with the highest level of dance technique. Members must be able to learn choreography quickly and memorize several routines at a time. Dancers must concentrate on sharpness, body placement, technique and coordination without sacrificing energy or style. The Dazzlers perform a wide range of dance styles and various aspects will be evaluated in the audition process. Technique requirements include a solid double pirouette, calypso leap, fouette turns, and front and side kicks. The final team is made up of 8-10 members. Potential returning members must audition each year and are not guaranteed a spot on the team.

Dazzlers must maintain a minimum 2.5 semester and overall GPA as well as UF full-time student status in order to be eligible for participation and scholarship. Scholarship amounts are calculated based on years of participation and team leadership. The Dazzlers typical weekly schedule consists of three morning workouts, three practices, one appearance, and two to three sporting events. All events are awarded based on performance, work ethic, and dedication to the program with members auditioning daily for placement and game assignment.

Workouts and Conditioning

So that everyone remains healthy, the cheerleaders follow an individualized work-out program developed by our strength and conditioning coach in the South End Zone Weight Room. Both teams condition 2 times per week during scheduled squad appointments.

Cheerleading History at UF

The UF spirit squad, like the student population, was all-male in the following decades, as universities nationwide considered cheerleading a masculine endeavor. The first regular female cheerleaders joined the UF squad in 1938, about 13 years after the first woman enrolled at the university.

Scholarships and Support

The University Athletic Association, the Gatortown Gators, Title Town Gators, and Mr. 2 Bits provide partial scholarships for both the Orange and Blue Team at the end of each semester.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

The Role of Mascots: Albert and Alberta

Albert and Alberta are the Florida Gators' biggest fans! You can spot these fuzzy alligators supporting athletics at most home sporting events. During post-season travel and tournaments, Albert and Alberta can be seen cheering on the Gators from the sidelines.

Evolution and Adaptation

Now in his first year as UF interim spirit director, Bailey is already restyling the program to account for the gender gap at tryouts. Beginning next year, the team will have one coed group and one all-girl group, rather than two mixed teams.

Male Cheerleaders: Breaking Stereotypes

The assumed connection between cheerleading and femininity has long contributed to society’s perception of male cheerleaders as gay. Aref, who is nearing the end of his first year on the team, never had to formally try out at all to earn his spot, he said. Only about four of the 13 men on the team identify as LGBTQ+, the same number as are in fraternities, he said.

Restrictions and Safety

In an unpopular 2012 decision, the UAA “grounded” UF cheerleaders, banning them from doing acrobatic stunts and tumbles, many of which are required at a competitive level. Today, the UF team’s stunts remain restricted. But coach Sawyer Bailey appreciates, rather than resents, the UAA’s restrictions, he said.

USF Cheerleading Program: A Comparative Look

TAMPA, JAN. 20, 2026 - The University of South Florida cheer program added two more national championships and three runner-up finishes, medaling in all five divisions it entered, at the 2026 UCA/UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championship at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla. Well established as one the nation's premier cheerleading programs, the Bulls pushed their championship haul to 11 world or national championship titles in the last six years with both the All Girl squad and Coed team claiming national championships in 2026. The USF All Girl Cheer Team, led by head coach Sandy Clarke, claimed the program's fourth national championship by winning the Division 1 All Girl Game Day crown. The team has now finished in the top two nationally in the All Girl Game Day competition in four straight years, after capturing back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024 and earning the team's first title in the Division IA Traditional competition in 2024. The USF Coed Cheer Team brought home its fourth national championship in the Division 1 Large Coed category and fifth overall, having won the Coed Game Day competition last year and finished runner-up in Large Coed. The USF Coed Cheer Team, led by Ronnie Patrick, Gillian Guadagnino and assistant coaches Noah Webb, Adarius Payne, Erica Scarborough and Trent Hayden has established itself as a standard bearer in collegiate cheer, claiming five national championships in the last six seasons.

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