NORTHRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING TRYOUT PACKET

2014-2015 VARSITY AND JUNIOR VARSITY CHEERLEADING

Thank you for your interest in trying out for cheerleader. In this packet, you will find the following: tryout information
with a list of important dates, an information sheet, the 2014-2015 Rules for Cheerleading, and the Statement of
Permission and Agreement. You will also need to complete and turn in the forms listed below. Please read and
understand all the enclosed information before tryouts.

Cheerleading Tryout Dates:

Cheer Clinic will be held on March 10th -14th , from 3:45-5pm (PAPERWORK and $25 Tryout Fee MUST BE
TURNED IN BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN ANY CLINIC) Tryout material will be taught during this time.
Tryout Fee $25 in check or cash (make check payable to NHS Cheerleaders)
Official tryouts will take place on March 15, 2014. Time TBA.

Eligibility:
To be eligible in the fall/spring of 2014-2015 for cheerleader, a student must have:
Been promoted to next grade level
Achieved a 2.0 grade point average for the 2013-2014 school year
Been present 85% of second semester of the 2013-2014 school year
Not quit or been dismissed by coach during the 2013-2014 cheerleading season

The following MUST BE turned in BEFORE you can participate in clinics or tryouts:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Form #1 Physical Form (performed in the last year)

$25 tryout fee (check or cash)
Form #2 Athletic Permission and Insurance Verification Form
Copy of Insurance Card (front and back)
Form #3 Completed Personal Information Sheet
Form #4 Teacher recommendation form (1)
Form #5 Statement of Permission and Agreement Form
Form #6 Participant Agreement, Consent and Release Form
Form #7 NHS Demerit Contract
A copy of your previous year or letter of good academic standing from counselor

Note: The deadline for turning in this paperwork is Thursday, March 6th; however, the earlier you can get
this paperwork in, the better. Participation in try-out clinics will be prohibited if any of the forms are
missing or incomplete.

Selection of the cheerleaders will be based on the following:

Motions/Cheers:
A cheer, chant, and dance that will be taught to you during the clinic.
Jumps (A toe touch, a pike, and a front hurdler are required- descriptions and pictures of these jumps can be
found on the UCA website.
Tumbling:
Standing back-handspring, Round-off back-handspring, (required for varsity squad) Your Choice Running
Tumble Trick and Your Choice Standing Tumbling Trick
Building/Stunts:
Elevator, Straight up to Extension, Liberty, Dismounts-Cradle and Bump downs (all of these are required for
Varsity squad)

Other Criteria:

Athleticism and physical fitness

Scholastic achievement and eligibility
Conduct
Attitude, initiative, teamwork, leadership, work ethic, enthusiasm, and coachability

What do you wear to tryouts?

o

During clinic days please wear comfortable, length appropriate shorts and a t-shirt or tank top. Dress as if you would dress
for cheerleading practice. Sports bras must be worn. No basketball shorts or pajamas. No denim shorts, jewelry, or artificial
nails. Your hair should also be off your shoulders.

On official try-out day, you will need to wear dark colored shorts (black or navy blue) and a solid white t-shirt
or tank top. Your hair should be off your shoulders, and no jewelry should be worn or artificial nails.

Please do not wear any previous cheerleading or dance attire during tryout week.

For those who make the squad, please put the following mandatory dates
on your calendar:

Meeting for all cheerleaders and their parents:

Fitting date with Amy from Varsity:
Room (side of gym)
Camp at NHS
months due to weather)
Summer practices
Mini Camp Fundraiser

*Summer practices will begin on Monday, July 7 Friday

Aug 1 from 8am-10am. These practices are mandatory, and
work schedules, vacation, extracurricular activities, etc.
should be arranged so the cheerleaders are at practice each
day. These practices are important, and attendance is
necessary. They can miss up to 3 days.

May 6th at 5:30pm in NHS cafeteria

May 6th 2:30-Varsity, 4:00-JV fitting in NHS Cheer
June 3-6 or June 10-13 (TBA in next couple of
July 7-Aug 1* (8am-10am)
July-TBA (morning until noon)
Practice schedule for after school will be
given after tryouts. This will typically be on
given Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning
at 3:30pm when announced.

Again, all paperwork must be in by March 6th. You can either drop the paperwork off or mail it to Northridge High School, c/o Erin
Darnell 2901 Northridge Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35406.

I look forward to seeing you at tryouts. If you have any questions, please contact Erin Darnell at ealexand@tusc.k12.al.us

Estimated Costs
We realize that Cheerleading in an expensive sport, however we try to cut the cost down as much as possible through fund
raising and taking care of what we have. There are, however, certain items that can not be passed down from squad to
squad and have to be purchased by the individual. In addition, wear and tear requires replacement of uniforms, warm-ups,
etc. We will be ordering them through VARSITY, the leading cheer apparel company, and the cheerleader will be
responsible for paying for them by May 6th. While I cant give you an exact amount I can give you an estimate that should
be fairly close. We will be fitted for these items on May 6th at 2:45 (Varsity) and 4:00(JV) in the NHS Cheerleading Room
(Gym-side entrance)
Varsity
Shoes
$80
Rain Jacket
$10
Poms
$15
Undergarments
$40
Warm-ups
$120
Bag
$30
Bows
$20
Camp
$325
Campwear
$150
Total =
$ 790
Junior Varsity
Shoes
Poms
Undergarments
Campwear
Warm-ups
Camp
Bag
Bows
Rain Jacket
Total =

$50
$15
$40
$120
$120
$325
$30
$15
$10
$725

This is an approximation. Please be prepared to have this amount of money in the event that you make the team.
Although some items may be used from year to year, others may have to be purchased NEW each year.
(Cheerleaders will keep all of the items purchased above)

Student Information Sheet

Please complete the following information. Please write LEGIBLY.
Student Name:

Student ID #:

Current Grade Level:

School you attended 13-14:

Home Address:

Home Phone:

Cell Phone:

Email address:

Birthday:

Parent/Guardian Name:
Home address (if different from above)
Parent/Guardian Phone (If different from above)
Mothers Work Phone:

Mothers Cell Phone:

Mothers Email:
Fathers Work Phone:

Fathers Cell Phone:

Fathers Email:
Emergency Contact Name:

Relationship to You:

Emergency Phone:

Emergency Cell Phone:

Allergies/Health Problems/ Medications (Please describe in detail):

Were you involved in any behavior infractions (ISS or OSS) during the 2013-2014 school year? If yes, please explain on back
of this sheet.

Statement of Permission and Agreement

If you make the cheerleading squad, realize that you are making a commitment to Northridge High School, your coaches, your
teammates, and yourself for the complete season. The decision to tryout should not be taken lightly. You will be expected to put
cheerleading as one of your top priorities. Furthermore, as a representative of Northridge, you must maintain proper behavior at all
times. You must follow the cheerleading guidelines and the TCCS Code of Conduct. Students who break the rules will be disciplined.
By making this commitment to the Northridge High School Cheerleading program, you will receive many valuable and rewarding
educational experiences that you will remember long after you graduate from high school. These activities will not only channel your
enthusiasm and spirit in a constructive and beneficial manner, but will give you a sense of pride and accomplishment in being a part of
something special at Northridge High School.
Student Agreement
I, ___________________________________, have read and understand the 2014-15 RULES FOR CHEERLEADING. I agree to
abide by the policies described if I am chosen as a member of the squad. I am agreeing to the information in the packet and
understand that failure to adhere to these rules policies could result in dismissal from the squad.
__________________________________________
Student Signature

_____________________
Date Signed

Parent/Guardian Agreement
I, ___________________________________, the parent or legal guardian of __________________________, have read and
understand the 2014-15 RULES FOR CHEERLEADING and the 2014-15 TRYOUT INFORMATION. I agree to abide by the policies
described if my child is chosen as a member of the squad. I also agree to the financial obligations as they are described in the
information provided. I understand that failure by me or my child to adhere to these policies could result in dismissal from the squad.
__________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature

_______________________
Date Signed

2014-2015 NHS Cheerleader Rules and Constitution

Purpose
The objective of the Northridge High School cheerleading squad is to effectively execute a school spirit program that supports the
athletic teams and promotes the school itself. Cheerleaders will serve as positive role models and leaders for NHS and should promote
sportsmanship within our school and among other schools. The highest priority should be to display and encourage spirit and pride for
NHS.
Squad Members and Practices
Members will be chosen at a formal tryout session.
The JV squad will consist of up to 12 freshmen and sophomores and juniors who will cheer at JV football and basketball
games and will participate in some pep rally events.
The Varsity Football/Basketball/Competition squad will consist of up to 16 sophomores, juniors, and seniors who will
cheer at all Varsity football games, competitions, and pep rally events. Freshmen typically do not make a Varsity squad;
however, exceptions can be made at the coachs discretion. A separate arrangement is made for basketball games. See
below
For Basketball, NHS Cheerleaders (JV and Varsity will only attend local-in Tuscaloosa City and County games-unless
playoff situation or Area Tournament and this will be determined by the coach)
If a member of a squad is removed from a position, a replacement will be determined by the coach, Athletic Director, and
Principal.
Practices and Games
Squads will have practices each week. A schedule will be given out at a later date. All practices are mandatory, and
other schedules should revolve around cheerleading practices. Additional practices may be added when needed.
During football season, games are usually held on Mondays and Tuesday s for JV and Fridays for Varsity. You will also be
given a schedule at the beginning of the season, and cheerleaders will be expected to be present at all games, including
playoff games.
During basketball season, the Varsity squad will be split into an A and B squad. They will rotate games. Therefore, all
cheerleaders will not have to attend every game. This may be changed for special circumstances (senior night, play-off
games, area tournament, etc) at the purview of the coach.
No switching of squads will take place.
Attendance Requirements
ABSENCES CAN BE THE DOWNFALL OF A GREAT CHEERLEADING SQUAD! If one or more squad members are
absent from a practice or game, the other members are forced to make last minute changes. This can be both stressful
and dangerous to squad members.
You will be expected to be at all games and practices. Jobs, club activities, extracurricular activities, doctors
appointments, etc. must not interfere with cheerleading.
If you commit to cheerleading you are committing to attend every game. Unexcused absences are those caused by
anything other than illness or family emergencies. In addition, just because a cheerleader asks to be excused doesnt
mean that the excuse will be granted.
If you are ill or have a family emergency, the coach needs to be notified by a parent or guardian in order for this absence
to be excused. Please notify the coach before the absence. Please call Northridge High School at (205) 759-3590 to

Grades

notify the coach of any excused absences. If the coach is unavailable, please leave a message. Or if an email or cell
phone number is given later, that is acceptable.
As stated in the Guidelines for Northridge Athletes, students must be present half the school day (full 2 class periods and
first period) to be eligible for practices and games scheduled for that day.
If a student is assigned to ISS, the student may not participate in any scheduled event for the time the athlete is assigned
to ISS. In addition, the athlete will be benched for ISS counseled and/or dismissed from the squad for OSS pending
conference with principal and AD.
A minimum of 2.0 GPA must be maintained throughout the cheering season.
Because cheerleaders are students first and athletes second, weekly progress reports will be turned in so the coach can
monitor academic progress.
If at any time you are failing a class, you will be required to attend tutoring, and failure to attend tutoring will result in
benching. The coach must have written documentation for these tutoring sessions.
From the time the F is written on the progress report, you have two weeks to pull the F up before a more severe
consequence is given.

Tutoring

Uniforms

Cheerleaders are encouraged to attend tutoring (if needed) on off days.

Tutoring must be scheduled on days other than game and practice date and times.
Uniforms are issued by the school and are property of the NHS Cheerleading Department. If for at any reason a
cheerleader quits or is dismissed, he/she is expected to return all uniforms/equipment within five days of the termination.
Washing instructions will be provided when uniforms are distributed. At the end of basketball season, uniforms are to be
turned in laundered (by dry cleaning service) and on clothing hangers.
Damaged or lost uniforms will be replaced by the cheerleader.
JV Cheerleaders choosing to stay for a Varsity game must change out of the cheerleading uniform and into regular
clothing.

Fund Raising
Every cheerleader will be expected to support all fundraising events which support the team.
Failure to participate and meet your quota of fundraising can result in dismissal from the squad.
Turning in fundraising money after the due date will result in being benched.
Transportation
If a parent is going to pick up their cheerleader at an away game, the coach must speak to the parent at the game. If the
coach is unaware of a change in transportation, a cheerleader may get left behind because the coach assumes the parent
will be there and will not account for her on the bus ride back. The coach cannot go searching through the parking lot for
parents. They must come and see the coach before you leave with them. If the parents do not speak to the coach, you
are expected to ride the activity bus back to NHS.
Your parent is the only one you are allowed to leave a game with, not a friends parent, a boyfriend, or a friend.
Cheering is not allowed on the bus. It distracts the driver, coaches, and other team members.
Expected Behavior
All TCS and Northridge High School guidelines must be followed at all times.
A demerit system may be implemented from day one.
Promote a positive image for the school communityyour peers, parents, teachers, and community members
While representing NHS, cheerleaders must not:
Drink alcoholic beverages
Use controlled substances

 Use tobacco products

Show unsportsmanlike conduct
Use profanity
Be academically dishonest
Attend all practices and games.
Cheerleaders will be present BEFORE time stated to leave for away game and dressed in full uniform or disciplinary
action will be taken (this means no running in the building or to field half dressed 5 minutes late)
When at an away game-cheerleaders will dismiss from bus and immediately begin warm-up.
After away game, cheerleaders will ALL use restroom and IMMEDIATELY return to buses/transportation with equipment
responsibilities/materials.
Cheerleaders will be present BEFORE time stated to arrive for home games and dressed in full uniform or disciplinary
action will be taken (this means no running in the building or to field half dressed 5 minutes late)
Your attitude and ability to work with other different personalities must be exceptional.
Lying or fabricating the truth will not be tolerated
Part of a coachs job is to know where you are at all times during practices, games, and special events. Consequences
will be issued for failure to follow the coachs direction or to stay in assigned areas during events.
While safety is our number one goal, please understand that you should expect bumps, bruises, and other occasional
minor injuries. This is all part of cheerleading.
Cheerleaders can not wear or loan NHS cheerleading uniforms/outfits when attending non-cheerleading activities (unless
specified by coach)
All official cheerleading decisions and activities will be made by the coaching staff. All coaches are to be given respect
and cooperation by cheerleaders and parents at all times. Lack of respect will not be tolerated and can be grounds for
dismissal.
*Being in correct uniform means wearing the appropriate uniformsports bra, bloomers, hair ribbon, socks, shoes, having
hair pulled up. Complete uniform also means wearing no jewelry, glitter, or fingernail polish. Your nails must be trimmed
short, and no acrylic nails or tips will be worn.
Coaches reserve the right to make changes/additions to the rules as needed. In addition, if you have any questions or concerns,
please respect the following chain of command:

Squad Coach
Coach AkinsAthletic Director
Kyle Ferguson-Principal

Northridge High School Cheerleading Demerit/Disciplinary System

Attendance
Note: Excused absences include illness (must be absent for the entire school day) and attending another
school-sponsored event (field trips, participation in other athletic contests, etc.). The cheerleader must
inform the coach prior to absence of event AND produce a note from a parent, doctor, or school
activity sponsor the following school day for the absence to be counted as excused. Injury or
illness that will require a cheerleader to miss 2 or more consecutive events requires a doctors excuse.
Lack of participation in 2 or more consecutive events without a doctors excuse will be considered an
unexcused absence.
An excuse for a prolonged event (ex: injury requiring no participation for 1 week or leaving town for a
family emergency) will be treated as 1 event rather than demerits accumulating for each event missed
during that time. For example, if a cheerleader has an injury keeping her from 2 games and multiple
practices, her demerits will be recoded as 1 point (excused w/ doctors note). If she must travel out of town
for a family event causing her to miss a game and a practice, the demerits would be recorded as 2 points
(excused with parent note).
1. Unexcused absence from practice or a game
5
2. Excused absence from a practice/game with a parent note
2
3. Excused absence from a practice/game with a doctors note
1
4. Late to a home game or late for away game or away game departure time
2
5. Late to practice
1
6. Leaving early from a game without permission or not staying to clean up
2
Appearance
7. Improper uniform for game or in school (poms, briefs, bow, shoes, etc.)
3
8. Wearing jewelry at practice or games (includes belly and tongue rings)
2
9. Uniform not clean
2
Behavior
10. Using cell phone at games or practice
3
11. Chewing gum or eating food at undesignated times
3
12. Inappropriate PDA during games or conversating with friends or while cheering
3
13. Using inappropriate language during games (includes profanity, taunting and name calling) 3
14. Showing disrespect to coach or squad member
3
15. In-school infraction causing ISS or ASD
5
16. In-school infraction causing out of school suspension
15
17. Illegal substance abuse
15
Consequences
Demerits of less than 5 will result in running or other discipline implemented by squad
coach at time of infraction. Anything over 5 demerits at once will be punishable with
suspensions of game time or other-see below!

Accumulation of 5 demerits will result in the cheerleader being suspended for one game. The
cheerleader may still dress in uniform and will be required to attend all home and away functions
and sit with the coach during her game suspension.
Accumulation of 10 demerits will result in the cheerleader being suspended for two games. During
her suspension the cheerleader will dress in uniform and sit with coach at games of suspension.
Accumulation of 15 demerits will result in meeting with school athletic director and parent.
All demerits will be erased at the end of a season.

I have read and understand my responsibilities as an NHS cheerleader and agree to the conditions set in
the contract. I understand that if I do not fulfill my responsibilities I will receive demerits as per the list
above.
__________________________________________
Printed Name of Cheerleader

__________________________________________
Printed Name of Parent/Guardian

__________________________________________
Signature of Cheerleader

__________________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian