10 Facts About Shorter University Cheerleading

1. Shorter University is proud to offer two competitive Coed cheer programs: Large Coed and Small Coed compete in the NCA College National Cheerleading Championships in Daytona Beach, Fla.

2. Scholarship Requirements for both Coed teams:

Competition tumbling requirements: Jump to standing back tuck, standing back tuck or standing back handspring tuck, running lay out or better (full twists and/or combination passes are preferred and will be rewarded accordingly)

Competition stunt requirements: (All flyers) Double down from all flexibility positions; (female or male small coed bases) assisted toss to extension, power press, double down from all positions; (large coed bases) unassisted toss to hands to extended liberty to pop off and unassisted toss to extension pop off

3. We also offer a less skill-focused cheer program: Basketball squad requirements: Jump combinations, strong crowd leading skills required, dance/motion sequence perfection, preps, extensions and extended liberties, back handsprings or better preferred

4. Over the summer, team members are expected to work out regularly to keep up their strength and flexibility. Tumbling and stunt skills are expected to IMPROVE. A local open gym is offered at Hot Shots Cheerleading Center to those close to Rome. At the end of the summer, we will have a mandatory three-day pre-camp at Shorter and then attend NCA College Cheer Camp in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

5. We practice approximately three days a week in the fall and four days a week in the winter/spring at Hot Shots Cheerleading Center, a local cheer gym located a half mile from Shorter University.

6. Supervised study hall is required for all incoming freshmen, as well as sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA lower than 2.5. Study hall is held for a minimum of three hours per week. Cheerleaders must maintain a minimum of a 2.0 in order to cheer and/or compete.

7. It is our goal to award scholarship money to every competitive team member meeting the minimum skill requirements in the Cheer Hawks program! However, the amount of scholarship varies and is based on FAFSA, GPA, talent, experience, character recommendations and skill level. Current team members receive a range between $500 and $7,500 per semester.

8. Being a Shorter Cheer Hawk is a year-round commitment, including, but not limited to, football games, basketball games, local appearances, and competition venues. Every returning team member must tryout every year. Scholarship money or placement on a team varies from year-to-year based on performance. Team members can be switched from either team at any time throughout the season.

9. We encourage anyone interested in cheering at Shorter to attend our clinics and inquire about our program, even if you don't meet the team requirements. Please contact Coach Rachel Magness via email at rmagness@shorter.edu if you have any questions regarding tryout dates and times.

10. At Shorter University, the cheerleading program is already recognized as a varsity sport!