TABLE OF CONTENTS:
I. General Team Information
II. Perks and Benefits
III. Eligibility & applying to Iowa Western IV. Tryouts
V. Prospects
VI. Camps & Clinics
VII. Social Media
I. GENERAL TEAM INFORMATION
Roster
● Large Coed Competition Team - 24 individuals (approximately 12-14 females & 13-15 males)
● Small Coed Competition Team - 24 individuals (approximately 6 males & 18 females, however, this varies from year to year)
● Gameday Cheer Only- 20 individuals
Spirit Team Purpose
● Providing team members opportunities for lifelong learning and growth. ● The mission of the Iowa Western Spirit Program is to support all athletics at Iowa Western Community College, promote enthusiasm, and showcase superior sportsmanship. Being our schools acting ambassadors, the program helps to unite the campus community, the alumni, the students, and the metropolitan community at large.
● The vision of the Iowa Western Spirit Program is one whose teams perform and compete at UCA Collegiate Nationals against other top teams in our division. Our team members exhibit the core values of integrity, academic excellence, and self-motivation.
Team Culture and Coach Expectations
● The coaching staff is looking for athletes who show professionalism, respect, loyalty, honesty, have a problem solving mentality, a positive attitude, and are dedicated to working hard.
Role as an Iowa Western Cheer team member
● Ambassador and positive role model for Iowa Western Community College ● Crowd leading is the primary focus of the Iowa Western cheerleading team. ● Sports we sideline cheer for: Football, Volleyball, Men's basketball, and Women's basketball
● Team members are required to do community service events throughout the year called Merit Events.
● The team travels to select away games for football and post season play.
Practice and Workouts
● Fall - 4 practices per week & 2 workouts
● Spring - 3 practices per week & 2 workouts
● Summer - Pre season report (typically 2 weeks before the fall semester starts)
Competing with Iowa Western
● Team members have the opportunity to compete at the UCA College Cheerleading National Championship and the University World Cup Championship in Orlando, Florida.
● 2023 UCA College Cheerleading National Champions!
● Competing since 2004, with a Top 3 finish since 2010
● World University Champions in 2016 & 2023
Scholarships
● Scholarships are awarded at tryouts.
● Awarded based on skill, merit, grades, and needs.
● In-person tryouts dates: May 13th & 14th, 2023 (Tryout Information Here)
● There are also numerous academic scholarship opportunities available based on grades
II. PERKS & BENEFITS
Part of Athletic Department
● The team is part of the Iowa Western Athletic Association
● Team members are treated as student-athletes
Student-Athlete housing
● Cheerleaders have the opportunity to live in the Suites or Village on campus at Iowa Western next to other student-athletes.
Strength & Conditioning Coach
● The team has a dedicated strength coach and workouts are in the Iowa Western Student-Athlete Athletics Facility.
Athletic Trainer
● A dedicated athletic trainer is available 24/7 on campus during practice and workouts, and also present at all home games.
Zero Cost to Cheer
● Uniforms, practice wear, equipment, traveling, competition, and any other cheer expenses are paid for by Iowa Western and team fundraising.
Academic Resources
● Access to priority registration with advisors
● Free Tutoring
● Academic Advisor
● Academic Mentor
● Access to cyber library on campus
III. ELIGIBILITY & APPLYING TO IOWA WESTERN
Who Can Tryout?
● Anyone who is a full-time student at Iowa Western (12 credit hours)
● Anyone who has received a letter of acceptance (includes incoming freshman and transfer students)
Academic Acceptance to Iowa Western
● Prospective students may easily apply at Apply Now
● It is recommended that incoming Freshman apply no later than January of their Senior year of high school. (not required but highly suggested)
● If you have applied but have not been accepted (either you have not received a response, you have been denied admission) by February 1st of your Senior year of high school, you definitely need to follow up with admissions to make certain that they have received all of your transcripts, test scores, and support
documents.
Official Campus Tour
● It is recommended that you schedule a trip to Iowa Western for a campus tour.
● Assistant Coach Sam Darnall is the point of contact for any future cheer member tours.
● You can set something up with her via email (sdarnall@iwcc.edu)
Meeting with the Coaches
● If you need to get in touch with a coach, you can email Sam Darnall (sdarnall@iwcc.edu)
IV. TRYOUTS
Tryout Evaluation
● Each prospective cheerleader will be evaluated on the following:
❏ Standing tumbling on a regular cheer floor (NOT spring floor)
➢ Examples: Standing back tuck, standing back handspring back
tuck
❏ Running tumbling on a regular cheer floor (NOT a spring floor)
➢ Examples: Round off back handspring tuck
❏ Stunts (Coed or All-Girl)
➢ Extension
➢ Liberty
➢ Cupie
➢ Heel Stretch full down to cradle
➢ If you have a great deal of stunting experience you may be given
permission by the coach to add difficulty in how you get into or out
of these stunts. It will be the coaches determination based on your
skill and you must follow the AACCA safety guidelines.
❏ Iowa Western Fight Song
❏ Ability to lead and engage a crowd in a collegiate manner
❏ Interview with the coaches
Method of Evaluation
● The team is selected by the coaching staff at Iowa Western.
● Tryouts are not open to the public.
Tryout Application
Due prior to tryouts via Reiver Athletics website or you may bring it on the first day.
1. Proof of acceptance letter to Iowa Western Community College
2. Signed copy of participant waiver. (signed by parent if under 18)
3. $20 dollar fee for first year tryout members
What to Wear
● Our school colors are blue, black, and white. These are the colors that we recommend you wear to the tryout. Our school bookstore offers a wide selection of Iowa Western attire.
● It may be helpful to note that our cheerleaders have a very clean cut, modest and neatly groomed image. Please find us on social media (@reivercheer) and look at photos to get some ideas.
● Men - comfortable practice shorts and a t-shirt (no tank tops for men).
● Women - practice shorts and a t-shirt, tank, or full length sports bra. (Nothing too loose or baggy) Females hair and makeup should be game-ready. You can review the photos on social media to get ideas for hair and makeup. Attire should not be revealing and shorts should not be rolled down on the hips. No jewelry of any kind is permitted including belly rings, and other body piercings. We also recommend you cover any tattoos.
Can I just tryout by sending a video tape?
● Yes, for Fall 2023-2024 school year we will be accepting video tryouts. Video submission tryouts will be due May 12th, 2023 at 5pm.
● For your video submission to be considered you need to follow the instructions below. Please submit all video tryouts in the same email to sdarnall@iwcc.edu.
➔ Video 1
1. State your full name
2. Where you are from
3. What do you think is important for a coach to know about you?
4. What motivates you?
(This video should be no longer than 3 min.)
➔ Video 2
1. Fight song -> https://tinyurl.com/qog2jad
(do the entire fight song as shown. Mark the stunt with good technique. If you have a standing tuck or a bhs please execute it. If you do not mark that skill with correct technique as well)
➔ Video 3
1. Standing tumbling (Preferably not on a spring floor, but will be accepted if this is all the athlete has access to.)
● Clip 1 - standing back tuck OR standing full
● Clip 2 - one or 2 bhs to a tuck or full
(Please note that if you can't do a skill that we are asking for, show a different skill that you CAN do safely.)
➔ Video 4
1. Running tumbling
● Clip 1 - Round off back handspring to a back tuck, layout, or full.
● Clip 2 - Specialty pass if you have it
(Please note that if you can't do a skill that we are asking for, show a different skill that you CAN do safely.)
➔ Video 5
1. IME Stunting
● Clip 1 - Extension: Choose from a walk in, Bump & Go, or toss extension
● Clip 2 - Liberty: Choose from a walk in, Bump & Go, full up, or toss liberty
● Clip 3 - QP: Choose from a walk in, Bump & Go, or toss QP
● Clip 4 (Optional) - Full-up, Full Around, or Hand-in-Hand
Appearance Guidelines:
● Our school colors are blue, black, & white. These are the colors that we recommend you wear in your tryout video. It may be helpful to note that our cheerleaders have a very clean cut, modest, and neatly groomed image.
● Tennis shoes or cheer shoes should be worn in every clip.
● MALES - comfortable practice shorts and t-shirt ( no cut offs or tank tops). Males should have neatly groomed hair, t-shirt into athletic shorts. Keep facial hair clean.
● FEMALES - practice shorts and a t-shirt, tank, or full length sports bra. Female's hair and makeup should be game-day ready. It is recommended that you review photos on our social media sites (facebook, instagram, twitter)
Video Tryout Guidelines:
● Video clips should be clear and taken from an appropriate distance. While you will not be judged on the ability to edit your videos, please do your best to create a professional viewing experience.
● Due to special circumstances that have been discuseed prior with the coaches, you may submit old video clips. (Preferbaly within the last 6 months)
● If old clips are used, you may need to clearly identify where you are on the video clip.
● Only provide video with the skills requested.
● Material sections must be shown in the order listed above.
● Please insert a blank black screen, or title page before each of the sections. Shoot everything from the front EXCEPT tumbling. Tumbling clips should be shown from the side if possible.
● Stunting and tumbling videos should be performed on a dead floor/cheer floor. Grass or turf is also a good option.
● Please note that if you can't do a skill we are asking to see, show a different skill that you CAN do safely.
● We ask that you have experienced spots for all stunts, if possible. ● You must follow AACCA safety guidelines for the video tryout.
● Partner stunt videos must show the flyer safely on the ground at the end. Video submissions will be due May 12th at 5 PM.
V. PROSPECTS
● Do research - Read through the information in this document. Follow us on social media. ● Reach out to Assistant Coach Sam Darnall via email. (sdarnall@iwcc.edu) ● Attend one of our stunt clinics
VI. CAMPS AND CLINICS
● We traditionally host 1 Fall clinic and 2 clinics throughout the Spring. ● Follow us on Social Media for updates on dates.
VII. SOCIAL MEDIA
● Tag us and send us videos if you want! ● Twitter: @ReiverCheer
● Instagram: @reivercheer
● Facebook: Iowa Western Cheerleading
