About Us

The HCU Cheerleaders are an energetic, spirit-driven team dedicated to promoting Husky pride and uniting students, athletes, alumni, and fans. Through pep rallies, game-day performances, community service, and special appearances, they bring energy and excitement to campus and the greater Houston area. Rooted in Christian faith, the team believes true leadership is found through service.

Founded in the early 1960s, HCU Cheer has a proud history of coed competition and game-day excellence. With the addition of football in 2012, the team continues to grow, supporting all Husky athletic programs while creating unforgettable game-day experiences.

Mission: Rooted in faith and fueled by Husky pride, HCU Cheer exists to glorify God by leading with energy, excellence, and service—uniting the Houston Christian University community.

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Join us for a Clinic & Special Events

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Full-time HCU students in good academic (2.5 minimum GPA) and student conduct standing
  • High school seniors with provisional admission
  • Undergraduate and Graduate transfer students with provisional admission
  • All potential candidates must have a physical completed by the physician of their choice within the six-month period prior to tryouts. The physical must be completed at the candidate’s expense.
  • Candidates must be covered by health/hospitalization insurance in an amount comparable to the minimum coverage offered through the University’s student insurance program.
  • Candidates must possess sufficient physical fitness and proper training to execute all required skills. We do not have a weight or height restriction as size ranges fluctuate from year to year.
  • See Complete Tryout Info
  • HCU Cheerleaders get to generate and lead crowd involvement and spirit for one of the best Southland Conference athletic programs! DAWGS UP!
  • The spirit squad cheers at HCU football home and select away games, home volleyball games, and home men’s and women’s basketball, including post-season tournaments. Limited spots are available for travel games.
  • Squad members also make public appearances and perform at many other events for the HCU Athletic Department, the University, and the Houston community throughout the season.
  • Cheerleaders perform routines showing their skills and abilities at home football, women’s basketball, and men’s basketball games.
  • Members receive sport specific strength training plans.
  • As a squad member you have minimal financial obligation: all uniforms, travel + meal money, and practice wear are graciously covered by HCU and our program donors!
  • All squad members receive a Cheer scholarship applied directly to their tuition.
  • HCU Cheerleaders are also eligible for many other grants and academic scholarships through the
    University
  • HCU Cheerleaders often leave the program having gained lifelong friendships and lessons they’ll carry with them into their future.
  • HCU Cheerleading is a major time commitment for both fall and spring semesters. The Cheerleading year begins with tryouts in April, meets during the summer for camp and reports a few weeks before school starts for training and does not stop with games and appearances until tryouts of the following year.
  • Practice is canceled along with school classes during holidays. Games during these times are NOT canceled with the exception of Christmas Break. Select team members are chosen for basketball tournaments over Spring Break. Notice and schedules are available far in advanced for planning purposes.
  • Practice is held 2-3 times per week in the early afternoon or evening during both the fall and spring semesters.
  • Required strength and conditioning training takes place 1-2 days a week.
  • Our Spirit members are responsible for promoting clinics, give campaigns and other fundraisers to fund additional program expenses like camp, competition, etc.
  • The team has competed in the past; however, we are currently game-day focused as we build up skills to resume competing in the future.
  • Since cheerleading is not an NCAA collegiate sport, we do not “recruit” like other sports. Every interested athlete must try out in person to be eligible for a position on the team.
  • HCU Cheer hosts clinics for both males and females in the Spring.
  • The Spring clinics are the BEST way to get noticed by our team and meet the coaches, however they are NOT required to tryout. Spring clinic dates and information are updated annually to the tryout page in late January/early February. Our Instagram page will also announce this info.
  • HCU Cheer does not host open practices for interested athletes.
  • We HIGHLY encourage interested athletes to read and APPLY all the information of what we look for in choosing our team – this is found on the tryout page. 
  • As always, the best preparation for tryouts is learning and applying what we look for as early as possible through continued practice. We encourage interests to watch the cheerleaders at home games, learn from our Instagram posts and saved highlights, and attend the clinics.
  • There are not a set number of spots available.
  • The cut off will be based on the break in scores determined by the judges and squad partnering considerations based on stunting position, and scholarships available.
  • All Girl typically ranges between 12-16 members, and Coed between 3-4 couples.
  • This changes from year to year depending on the talent at tryouts.

Cheer Interest Form

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