Xavier University Athletics
Xavier Cheerleading
2025-26 SEASON TRYOUTS
Dates: August 19-21
Time: 7-9PM
Where: August 19-20 - Cintas Center Auxiliary Gym; August 21 - Cintas Center Main Gym
Fall tryouts are only for new or incoming students, not returning squad members.
Cheerleading Tryout Protocols: 2025-26
New Candidates: those who were not a member of the Xavier 2024-2025 cheerleading squad: Secure a physical from their physician who is asserting that there is nothing that would prohibit that student from participating in cheer, and the gymnastics/tumbling that accompany cheer. Complete the Cheer Tryout Packet (AOR, ETW, Demo) AND be prepared to give verbal confirmation of a physical within the last 12 months as well as having a copy of your insurance card.
Cheerleading Tryout Routine & Requirements
Women will be asked to perform:
- Display of spirit, enthusiasm, smiles, loud voices, and sharp motions.
- Fight Song (video link posted to @XUcheerleading social media)
- Dance (to be taught at clinics)
- Tumbling, with correct form:
- standing back handspring (required for Blue squad; preferred for White squad)
- standing back tuck (preferred for Blue squad)
- standing back handspring back tuck (preferred for Blue squad)
- round-off back handspring (required for Blue squad; preferred for White squad)
- round-off back handspring series (required for Blue squad; preferred for White squad)
- round-off back handspring back tuck (preferred for Blue Squad)
- round-off back tuck (preferred for Blue squad)
- elite tumbling pass
- Stunting with correct form:
- Group:
- Stunt #1 Straight up Extensions / Pump-and-Go
- Stunt #2 Retakes / Power Press / Transition Stunt
- Stunt #3 Optional one-legged Stunt (Liberty, Torch, Arabesque, Scale, Scorpion)
- Group:
Men will be asked to perform:
- Display of spirit, enthusiasm, smiles, loud voices, and sharp motions
- Tumbling (preferred but not required) with correct form
- Stunting with correct form:
- Co-Ed:
- Stunt #1 Chair
- Stunt #2 Hands (Toss, Chair-to or Walk-In)
- Stunt #3 Optional (Chair/Hands, Shoulder Stand, Extension, Liberty, Heel Stretch, Torch, Arabesque, Scale, Scorpion) OR back-spot a group stunt
- Co-Ed:
Important Information:
- Please let the coaches know if you can successfully perform more than one position in stunts (example: top and base). You may be asked to do a different position throughout the year other than the one you tried out for. Tryouts are to assess skills and future potential.
- Coaches reserve the right to make changes for any reason if necessary.
- Selected Xavier University Cheerleaders cheer for both Men's (Blue squad) and Women's (White squad) Basketball along with several Volleyball and Soccer games.
- Attire:
- Women - form fitting, athletic Xavier logoed clothing.
- New Candidates: Navy shorts and White shirt
- Gameday makeup
- Hair sleek middle-parted ponytail with bow and no loose pieces.
- Men - Shorts and T-Shirt (not too baggy). Xavier colors or apparel only.
- Women - form fitting, athletic Xavier logoed clothing.
- Anyone trying out must bring a printed complete tryout packet. Placement on the team is conditional until completing a physical with the Athletic Training Staff.
If you have any questions prior to tryouts please contact us at cheerleading@xavier.edu
Cheerleading at Xavier
Xavier University cheerleaders are an important part of Xavier Athletics. Xavier Cheerleaders have become a vocal presence at all Xavier men's and women's basketball games as well as in the community. Each year, the co-ed cheerleading squad participates in annual fundraising efforts including appearances and much more. The Xavier University Cheerleaders attend all men's and women's home basketball games, the BIG EAST Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. The squad also attends many soccer and volleyball games in an effort to support a variety of Xavier University’s Division I athletic programs. The coaching staff has a combined twenty plus years of coaching experience and they strive to continually improve the program each year.