GOPHER HOCKEY CHEERLEADING TEAM Try-Out Packet 2019-2020
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
GOPHER HOCKEY CHEERLEADING TEAM Try-out Packet 2019-2020 1 2019-2020 TRYOUT PACKET University of Minnesota HOCKEY CHEER TRYOUT DATES/TIMES [NOTE: All practices are REQUIRED]: Friday, April 26, 2019 5:00-5:30 PM Registration, Ridder Arena Lobby 5:30-5:45 PM Intro Meeting/Welcome 6:00-8:00 PM Ice Practice, Ridder Ice Arena 8:00-10:00 PM Cheer/Dance Clinic, Ridder Arena Lobby Saturday, April 27, 2019 9:30-11:30 AM Open Ice Practice, Ridder Arena 11:45-1:45 PM Individually Scheduled Interviews, Ridder Arena Club Room/Suites 2:00-3:30 PM Land Practice (dance/cheers/fight songs), RidderArena Lobby 2:30-3:30 PM Dance Evaluations, Ridder Club Room 4:30-7:30 PM Final Try-out, Ridder Arena (closed to the public) 8:30 PM Team roster will be posted (outside Ridder Lobby)*Note: roster may be posted earlier Sunday, April 28, 2019 9:30 AM-12:30 PM Official 2019-2020 Team Meeting It is important that you read and fully understand the enclosed information. Give serious thought to the level of commitment you must make if you are chosen to be a part of this program. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to e-mail Coach Anderson at [email protected]. Thank you for your interest and GOOD LUCK! 2 Letter from the Head Coach Dear Spirit Squad Prospect: Becoming an athlete in the Spirit Squad program at the University of Minnesota, means becoming part of a rich tradition and a legacy that started over 100 years ago. Cheerleading was invented in 1898 on the University of Minnesota campus, and our founder’s spirit and pride continue today. Very few people have had the privilege of participating in America’s ORIGINAL cheerleading program. Within the last decade, our teams have had a variety of notable accomplishments. Goldy Gopher has won 4 Mascot National Championships, finished top 5 for the last 15 years, and twice named NCAA/ESPN Mascot of the year. The Hockey Cheer Team is comprised of talented figure skaters and has been recognized on ESPN, BTN, Sports Illustrated, USFS Skating Magazine and is among the top Hockey Cheerleading teams in the country. The Co-ed Cheer Team has consistently placed among the top 10 teams in the country in one of the most competitive divisions at UCA College Cheer Nationals and finished 2nd place in Game Day in 2018. Additionally, the U of M’s All-Girl Cheer Team, over the last 10 years, has finished top 5 four times in the most competitive division at UCA College Cheer Nationals and finished 2nd place in Game Day in 2019. The Dance Team has won 19 National Championships and is by far the winningest athletic team on the U of M campus, winning 11 Jazz titles and 8 Pom titles. Along with this great history comes a very serious sense of responsibility. As a Spirit Squad athlete you are a representative not only of the athletic teams and department you support at this University, but also the entire State of Minnesota. You are the most visible ambassadors we have, and it is expected that you conduct yourself accordingly on and off the playing field. The Spirit Squad is comprised of 6 teams and over 100 dedicated student-athletes who devote 15-20 hours weekly to practices, games, special appearances, camps/clinics, fundraising events, and competitions. Spirit Squad athletes are also expected to maintain high academic standards and carry a full credit load. Because of these responsibilities, we are looking for skilled and talented athletes, and well-rounded students, who embrace the ability to be coached, as well as find a healthy balance between athletics, school, family, and friends. Our athletes come from across the country and many from diverse backgrounds in dance, cheerleading, gymnastics, and skating. The common-ground amongst all of our program athletes is their dedication and commitment to this program. Our athletes believe that improving as individuals, helps their team improve as well. We are excited for your interest and believe that the rewards from this experience cannot be measured. Imagine the excitement that comes with being part of a Big Ten athletic department, performing at some of the biggest, nationally televised games, traveling to storied venues around the country, and competing against some of the top cheerleading and dance programs in the nation. Every once in awhile you come across an opportunity and make a decision that will change your life, securing friends for a lifetime and your place in history forever. Sincerely, Coach Owens, Head Spirit Squad Coach 3 DESCRIPTION/COMMITMENT The Gopher Hockey Cheerleaders combine choreographed individual figure skating skills, synchronized skating skills, dancing, and cheerleading on the ice and in the stands, into one unified sport. Furthermore, the team at the University of Minnesota is looked upon as an especially unique and innovative representative within the sport of hockey cheerleading, given that all of the girls on the team are talented figure skaters. The Gopher Hockey Cheerleaders perform on the ice before the game and between periods as well as in the stands during the game. Their time is dedicated to performing, supporting the hockey team, and adding to the Gopher fan experience. As members of the Minnesota Hockey and Spirit Squad families, Gopher Hockey Cheerleaders participate because they love the sport of hockey, love figure skating, want to continue performing in college, and take pride in being part of this great Minnesota tradition. HOCKEY CHEER TEAM This unique team cheers and performs on the ice and in the stands at all home hockey games. They will make special appearances on occasion, and put in approximately 10-20 hours per week. They cheer for the legendary Golden Gopher men’s hockey team at 3M Arena @ Mariucci. The team consists of 10-12 female members, and all hockey cheerleaders are required to have a vast array of figure skating skills, as they perform on the ice between periods. Time Commitment: Summer Practices (all dates tentative, exact dates TBA) . Twins Games (Hockey Cheer/Mascots) May 24, 25, 26, and July 19, 20, 21 . Mandatory Spirit Squad Retreat: July 12-14, 2019 . Report Date: August 5 . Mandatory Off-ice Practice (Cheer): Aug. 5-9 (evenings) . Mandatory Team Practice: Aug. 12-16, Aug. 19-23 (evenings) School Year Practices YOU MUST SCHEDULE CLASSES AROUND PRACTICE/GAMES . Start the first week of school – Tues, Sept. 3, 2019 . Practice: Three evenings per week 4:00-6:00pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays . Required Strength and Conditioning: 2 (1-hour) sessions per week: 6:00-7:00am Tu, Th . Skating Open Ice – Hockey Cheer Team Only, 1 evening/week based on team availability (usually Monday) . Gopher Men’s Hockey Season runs from October-April games are typically on Fridays and Saturdays (5:00-10:00pm) Special Events/Appearances . You may be required to attend events sponsored by the athletic department . Hockey cheerleaders work at all U of M Spirit Squad fundraisers . Team activities do not stop during the Holiday season or Spring Break Expenses: (team members are able to keep whatever items they are required to purchase) . Team Fee $350 (Includes items such as briefs, poms, body suits/uniform pieces, etc.) . Required Fundraising in the summer (Twins Games) . The team may also purchase jackets, bags, sweatshirts and T-shirts on their own (not required) . In the event you do not choose to honor your commitment and finish the season or you are dismissed from the program, you will be required to reimburse the U of M for payments made on your behalf 4 TRYOUT REQUIRMENTS ELIGIBILITY: Spring tryouts are open to individuals who have been accepted by the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities for Fall Semester 2019. All participants, including transfer students and current team members, must have a minimum 2.0 GPA and have graduated from high school. Incoming students must bring a copy of their letter of acceptance on the first day of tryouts. Current U of M students must bring an unofficial transcript. SKILLS: Suggestions: All hockey cheerleaders are suggested to have passed or be at the level of United States Figure Skating: Junior/Senior Freestyle (test track) or Juv/Intermediate Free (IJS) and Junior/Senior Moves in the Field; ISI Freestyle 8 or above. Synchronized skating experience is helpful, but not required. No previous cheer or dance experience required. Except for the dance, the tryout will take place entirely on the ice. Here is an outline of how the tryout will run: 1. DANCE (only element performed off-ice): You will perform a dance that will be taught to you at tryouts. The dance will be the only element performed on dry land; the rest of the tryout will be on ice. 2. ON-ICE ENTRANCE: During your entrance, you will demonstrate figure skating skills as music to “Minnesota March” plays. The following REQUIRED SKATING SKILLS must be performed during the music segment: Axel (single or double; must be fully rotated) Double Jump: Salchow, Loop, or Axel (choose one) *Note: if you choose double axel, you do not need to repeat the skill Flying Camel/Sit Combo Spin – variations allowed within these basic positions Layback Spin Split or stag falling leaf Heel Stretch Right OR Left leg (either forward or backward) – may be done gliding or while spinning Bauer or Spread Eagle (R or L) Step Sequence (using approx. ½ ice – should include skills such as Brackets, Rockers, Choctaws, Counters, Loops, Twizzles) *NOTE: each spin must consist of 4 complete revolutions in the specified spin position 3. FIGHT SONG MOTIONS: During “Minnesota March” you will stop at center ice and perform the cheerleading motions that go along with that portion of the song (taught at try-outs).