2025-2026 UTEP Cheerleading Tryout Application

UTEP Cheer Guidelines

2025-2026 UTEP Cheerleading Tryouts

April 29, 2025 - May 1, 2025

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The University of Texas at El Paso is looking for athletic men and women to audition for the cheer and stunt team. Book and Academic scholarships are available to select members of the team. Select members will have an opportunity to cheer for football, volleyball, soccer and basketball; travel to numerous away games; make public appearances; and compete for spots on our national competition team.

The UTEP Cheer Team consists of two (2) teams:

Game Day (large coed partner-stunt team). **

  • Females must have a minimum standing tuck and standing back- handspring back tuck. Running tumbling -back handspring into tuck or above.
  • Males need no tumbling or stunting experience but will be evaluated based on progress of skills within a specified time range.

Practice/Performance Team (multi-base stunt team/tumbling team).

  • Females: must have a minimum standing back handspring, working on standing tucks and a running roundoff back handspring back tuck.
  • Males: must have a minimum back handspring and/or learn to partner stunt within a specified time range.

 

CHEER PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS

 

  • Cheering at UTEP is a full-time commitment. 
  • Practice begins in May/June
  • Summer vacations will not be excused. There may be an opportunity for a week vacation mid-July.  Mark your calendars for July 12- July 20th for vacation!  
  • There will be repercussions for anyone who misses practices, workouts…
  • SUMMER Practices are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30am-12:30pm
  • Mandatory strength & conditioning two-three times a week on Mondays and Wednesdays and Fridays (1:00pm-4:00pm). 
  • Four (4) hours of mandatory study hall each week.
  • Community Service
  • Campus Engagement

 

Next year’s team will go through rigorous and extensive conditioning in order to be ready for, games, appearances, and mandatory national competition. In addition, cheerleading-practice, games, strength and conditioning, and your academics must have priority over work schedules and any other extracurricular activity! Make sure you are willing to make the commitment. 

 

You are not permitted to be on an all-star team and cheer at UTEP.

Make a choice!

 

UTEP Cheer is governed by a set of by-laws, in addition to, compliance of University Student Code of Conduct.  Rules and Regulations of the UTEP Cheer Program will be presented at first initial MANDATORY team meeting- TBA.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Incoming freshman must have already applied and been accepted to UTEP (acceptance letter required).
  • Minimum Academic Standing (minimum 2.5 GPA).
  • Undergraduates must be enrolled in at least twelve (12) semester hours.
  • Graduate students must be enrolled in at least nine (9) semester hours.
  • Current Medical Insurance. If you are not currently insured, you may not participate in tryouts until medical insurance is purchased. No exceptions!
  • Copy of Physical 
  • Sickle Cell Test Results (administered at CPL Labs, 4224 N. Mesa)- email me for Dr. order.
  • *Character Profile from current cheer coach, sport coach or teacher must be emailed by April 28th, 2025, to Coach Bianca at bmarquez6@utep.edu in order to proceed with tryouts as a candidate for the 2024-2025 team.
  • ** If selected to be a member of the 25-26 UTEP Cheer team, a Non-Refundable $300 will be required to be paid in 3 payments by July 31st***

OUT OF TOWN APPLICANTS: VIDEO SUBMISSION CRITERIA

Videos must be submitted via YouTube link. Upload video to YouTube as an “unlisted” link. Email link to bmarquez6@utep.edu by 5:00pm (MST) on May 1, 2025, with the subject: “Your Full Name; 2025/26 UTEP Cheer Tryout”

Video Outline:

1. Name and current school. (You must have already applied and been accepted to UTEP.)

2.  Explain why you feel you would be an asset to the UTEP Cheer Program.

3. Standing Tumbling: in this order (if applicable): back handspring, back tuck, back handspring back tuck

4. Fight Song: Must learn UTEP fight song. Link will be released on April 29th.  Girls should perform the All-Girl version but be able to adapt to coed.

**Guys who tumble must show tumbling in fight song. Guys who stunt should show stunting requirement in fight song.

5. Running Tumbling: Most elite pass (This can be sent from previous footage in current year as a link in the same email).

6. Stunts: Email as previous footage taken within the year (photo or video). 

  • Toss Extend
  • Toss Hands Liberty
  • Walk up to hands or extend
  • 1-2 additional stunts of your choice


***Finalists will be notified by email by 12:00p.m. on Monday, May 5th, 2025.  There will be a mandatory meeting for all finalists the following week - TBA

What to Wear for Tryout:

GAME DAY APPEARANCE: Look Professional

 

1. Girls- Solid sports bra with black or navy spandex (no school logos)

    Guys- Solid tee shirt (tucked in) with black or navy shorts (no school logo)

 

2. Keep make-up to a minimum; clear or nude nail polish; no jewelry, neatly groomed; no bangs; detailed appearance expectations will be discussed at meeting.

Stunting Guidelines

-Males should be able to lift at least 130lbs pounds above their heads.

- Males are not required to have cheerleading experience, but must either be able to partner stunt (technique will be taught) or tumble.

-The coach must clear girls weighing over 120lbs. before they can stunt.

-Those weighing over 130 lbs. will be recommended for all-girl/smoed team.

**Remember only those cleared by the coaching staff can stunt if they are over 120 lbs. This will be based on muscularity and body structure, the safety of the men doing lifting and the safety of the women being lifted.