HCU Cheer seeks well-rounded individuals who demonstrate strong character, faith, and spirited game day presence. As highly visible representatives of Houston Christian University, team members are expected to reflect the University’s Christian values and represent HCU with integrity, respect, and excellence at all times. We value athletes who show leadership, confidence, a strong work ethic, openness to new challenges, coachability, positivity, humility, and the ability to engage and energize a crowd. How well candidates work with coaches and teammates—and how they respond to correction—will be an important factor at tryouts.
A full year commitment is required. The cheer season begins with tryouts in April, resumes in July/August for camp and work weeks, and continues through the academic year. Fall sports and HCU events begin in late August, with the season concluding the following April. HCU Cheer supports Husky Athletics at volleyball, basketball, and football games and participates in pep rallies and special appearances, including community service, alumni, civic, and charitable events throughout the Houston area, serving others and representing Christ through athletics.
Tumbling
Current tumbling abilities range from no tumbling to elite specialty passes; however, a clean consistent standing back handspring and running back handspring is recommended to make the team. Additional higher level standing and running tumbling will elevate our cheer program’s ability to perform more elite skills at games. You will be asked to perform tumbling on the basketball wood court in addition to a cheer mat/turf field. Some athletes on the current team have additional standing tumbling (standing tuck, standing back handspring), as well as a few running tucks, layouts, full twists, and/or specialty passes.
Jumps
We are looking for solid technique for arm and leg placement, good height and power, and clean execution of all jumps including toe touches, pikes, and front hurdlers (both sides). Candidates lacking tumbling skills, are especially encouraged to have excellent jumps.
Stunts
When we are choosing teams, we consider who is easy to work with and can be used in different positions/groups – this shows us that you know proper technique and versatility. We also consider if candidates can easily make corrections. At tryouts, we ask that you stunt with the group (All-Girl/Coed) you marked having the MOST experience on your application, however, may be asked to move around.
Our team performs multi-base and single-base/coed stunting to allow for maximum crowd engagement especially when traveling with smaller squads. Being able to stunt with multiple stunt partners/groups is a necessity. Multi-base stunts include: J-toss extension, full up, round off up, and lib variations all with clean dismounts. Single-base and Coed stunts include: toss/walk in chair, toss hands working up to extension/lib/stretch/cupie.
Attending our clinics are helpful to gain an inside perspective on elite training, tryouts, and what it’s like to be a HCU Cheerleader. Participants will also get an advance on material and skills that we will be looking for that year. See here for College Cheer Recruiting Clinic Registration. It is also a good opportunity to attend one of our games to see HCU Cheer in action, as well as follow us on all of our social media platforms.
Local cheer gyms and college squads are also good resources for private coed and all-girl collegiate stunt lessons.
