Cheerleaders
The UT Dallas cheerleading squad cheers at all home basketball games (men and women), volleyball games and select soccer games.
You can find the cheerleaders at various campus and community special events.
Awards
UT Dallas cheerleaders traveled to Daytona Beach, Florida on April 7th, 2011 to participate in the 2011 NCA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships. The cheerleaders brought home a program best, 2nd place in the All-Girl Intermediate II division.
Shorter College of Rome, GA won the title for the second year in a row. This is only the 3rd year ever that UT Dallas has competed, placing 7th in their inaugural visit in 2007 and 3rd in 2008. The 16 member team performed a 2:15 all-music routine that incorporated stunts, pyramids, jumps, tumbling, and dancing.
Fall 2011 Cheerleading Tryouts
When: Sunday, September 18th, 2011
Where: Auxiliary Gym, located in the Activities Center
Time: 2:00 pm
Please bring a photo ID and proof of personal insurance.
University Requirements — Current, full-time UT Dallas student with at least a 2.0 GPA
Skill Requirements — Standing back handspring and better than average jumps. Previous cheerleading experience is helpful, but not required
Please contact David Clark, cheerleading coach, at david.clark@utdallas.edu or (214) 558-2836
Since UT Dallas is a NCAA Division III school, we do not offer scholarships for cheerleading. The University does pay for all uniforms, camp, and travel to out of town games.
Individuals are responsible for paying for the following:
- Warm-ups
- Bloomers
- Shoes (must be all white)
- Sweatshirts
- Camp and practice attire
We practice 2-3 times a week for 2-3 hours at a time. We have a full 9 panel mat competition floor and we practice in a full-size gym. You are required to schedule work around practice and games.
Cheerleaders at UT Dallas also enjoy “priority enrollment” which means you are the first to enroll no matter your classification.
Cheerleader Application
Interesting in joining? Download and complete the following documents:
Basic Requirements
- Incoming freshmen are eligible to tryout.
- Transfer students with 2.0 GPA or higher are eligible to tryout.
- All required paperwork (proof of admission, proof of insurance, application and one letter of recommendation) along with a $25 fee (non-refundable) is due at the first tryout clinic you attend.
- Current UT Dallas students must be enrolled full-time (12 hours) in order to tryout.
- Although you may not be admitted to the University at the time you attend your tryout clinic, you must show proof of admission (a student ID or admission letter) in order to attend the final tryout.
- Final tryout is by invitation only. Invitations are extended by the coach.
- There is not a point system. The coach makes the final team selection.
From Coach David Clark:
What am I looking for at tryouts? I want someone who really loves to cheer! Skill is important, but so is attitude and work ethic.
Additionally, I am looking for people with the ability to learn material quickly and perform it with a high level of execution.
Good motion technique is very important. Jumps are very important as well. I can teach you to stunt if you don't know how, but obviously if you have experience stunting, it will benefit you.
If you have further questions, please contact me directly at david.clark@utdallas.edu.
About the Coach
David Clark is the head cheerleading coach at UT Dallas. David received a Bachelor of Arts in English/Marketing from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
In addition, David serves as Cheer Competition Judge and sits on the United States All Star Federation (USASF) Advisory Board. He is certified by the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA).
