Cheer and Dance Tryouts and Info

TRYOUTS FOR THE 2020-2021 CHEERLEADING TEAM

Thank you for your interest in the Kent State University Cheerleading Program. During this trying time in our country due to the COVID 19 crisis, we here at Kent want to keep the safety of all our Student Athletes at the top of our priority list. With that in mind we will be holding Video Tryouts to determine the members of the 2020-21 Cheerleading Team. The following criteria will be used during team placements.

Each athlete should

Demonstrate a high commitment level
Have a strong work ethic
Have leadership skills
Have advanced cheerleading skills.

Each cheerleader will be evaluated from their video tryout, along with a virtual interview and the team will be placed accordingly. The final decision will be up to the discretion of the coaching staff. Thanks again for your interest in Kent State Cheer

GOOD LUCK!

TRYOUT DUE DATES

Video - Friday, May 1

Interview - Week of May 5 thru May 11

Team Placement - Friday, May 15

TRYOUT REQUIREMENTS

Academic

Each cheerleader MUST BE accepted to or currently enrolled in Kent State University Main Campus.

Maintain a Full Time Student Status - minimum 12 hrs.
Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA.

SKILLS

Game Day

Motions - Proper Placement, Sharp & Tight execution.
Energy - Display an enthusiastic, high energy presence on the sideline.
Personality - Leadership, be a Team Player, Ability to get along with others.

Tumbling - Standing

Standing back handspring, multiple handsprings, standing tuck - *With Poms During Season
Additional skills not mandatory but helpful: Series handsprings to tuck, layout, or full - jump to tuck.

Tumbling - Running

Round-off back handspring, round-off back handspring tuck, cartwheel tuck, round-off tuck
Additional skills not mandatory but helpful. - layouts, fulls, whips, front tumbling, aerials, specialty passes.

Jumps

Toe touch, double toe touch, front hurdler (either side), toe touch back handspring.

Fight Song

Entire fight song with tuck preferred.
A video of the fight song will be sent out so incoming athletes can learn it with music.

Sideline Chant

One chant of your choice must repeat 3 times. Can add anything to it. - i.e. back hand spring, standing tuck, jump, etc.

Additional Information

All tryout material should be done on a dead mat or grass. - NO SPRING FLOORS.
Tryout Apparel : Incoming Athletes - white T shirt, navy blue shorts, hair half up half down, bow
Returning Athletes - Any matching KSU gear, hair half up half down, matching bow
Male Athletes - Same as above except for the Hair and Bows :)
Current Head Shot
Current email and Cell Phone Number
Interview will be set up after your video has been reviewed.
Early submissions will be reviewed as they arrive.

If you have any other questions don't hesitate to contact me! Looking forward to a GREAT Year

Go Flashes!!!

Thank you,

Keith W. Johnston

Head Cheerleading Coach

TRYOUTS FOR THE 2020-2021 DANCE TEAM

Thank you for your interest in the Kent State University Dance Program. During this trying time in our country due to the COVID 19 crisis, we here at Kent want to keep the safety of all our Student Athletes at the top of our priority list. With that in mind we will be holding Video Tryouts to determine the members of the 2020-21 Team. The following criteria will be used during team placements.

Dance Team Try-Out Due Dates:

Video Due Date: Friday May 8

Interviews May: 11 – 15^th

Team Placement: May 22

Tryout Requirements:

Academic

Each dancer MUST BE accepted to or currently enrolled in Kent State University Main Campus.

Maintain a Full Time Student Status - minimum 12 hrs.
Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA.

General Skill Requirements for our Two Teams-

Game Day:

Toe Touch

Double pirouette

Chaine Jete

Right and Left Battements

Right and Left Leaps and Variations

Basic knowledge of Pom Motions

Stamina to perform throughout an entire game

Positive Attitude

8 A la second Turns

Kip Up

Head Kip

Nationals:

Triple/Quad Pirouette in Coupe, Passe and Degage

Right and Left Advanced Leap Variations

16 A la seconde Turns

2 Flat Leg Extensions or Splits

Right or Left Ariel

Head Kip Variations

Kip Up Variations

Positive Attitude

Knowledge of Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical and Contemporary Styles

*Other Tumbling/Hip Hop Skills are a Bonus

For Video try-out purposes, please submit the following:

30 Second Hip Hop Combination

30 Second Jazz Combination

30 Seconds Lyrical/Contemporary Combination

A Short Improvisation, any style of your choice

Returners: The KSU Fight Song

New Audition: Record a series of Pom Motions or a Chant that you already know

Skills Video Showcase (feel free to include any Bonus skills you may have)

Please state your intention Game Day Team Only /Nationals Team Only or Both on the video Submission

Additional Information

All tryout material should be filmed and then put together to create one video
Tryout Apparel: Incoming Athletes – All Black Dance Attire, Hair/Make Up Done
Returning Athletes - Any matching KSU gear, Hair and Make-Up Done
Current Head Shot
Current email and Cell Phone Number
Interview will be set up after your video has been reviewed.
Early submissions will be reviewed as they arrive.

If you have any questions please let me know. Can't wait for another exciting year with Kent State Dance!

Sincerely,

Christine Wides

Head Dance Coach

Christine.wides@gmail.com

Kent State University Athletics

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