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Information about
Cheerleading at USF
(submitted by SS, et. al.)
Welcome to a fan-site
designed
to support the Spirit Programs at USF (University of South Florida).
Come out and cheer on the Bulls as they take on Big East opponents on the
football field and in the Sun Dome.
The
USF cheerleading program consists of both a co-ed and an all-girl
cheerleading squad. Both teams cheer for football; men’s and
women’s basketball; and home conference volleyball matches. Select
squad members from both squads may have the opportunity to travel to
various away football games as well as the Big East Conference basketball
tournament(s), and any tournaments resulting from its success.
The
USF cheerleading program consists of approximately 40 cheerleaders whose
primary purpose is to support USF athletics. Squad members cheer at
all home football, conference volleyball, men’s basketball and women’s
basketball games. In addition select cheerleaders travel to away
football games (both regular season games and post season play), the
men’s and women’s Big East basketball tournaments, and the NCAA
basketball tournament.
The season begins with camp in July, pre-season beginning prior to the
start of classes in August; and continues through the completion of
basketball season in the spring. Cheerleaders are responsible for
attending all practices and/or games that occur during that time period;
including those that fall during University breaks/vacations and holidays.
In general, the USF cheerleaders practice on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
from 6:30-9:30 p.m.; with the frequency of practices increasing to at
least five times per week during competition season. In addition to
evening practices all squad members are also required to attend mandatory
weight training sessions on Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 - 7:30 a.m.
All cheerleaders are required to be enrolled full time at USF for both the
fall and spring semesters (a minimum of twelve credit hours per semester
for undergraduate students, and minimum of nine for graduate students).
In addition all cheerleaders are required to keep a minimum 2.0 GPA (a C
average) to remain on the squad.
The USF cheerleaders participate in a large number of appearances on
behalf of the University and Athletic Department. Cheerleaders are
ambassadors for the school and are expected to carry themselves
accordingly at all times. Each cheerleader is expected to volunteer
for a variety of appearances throughout the course of the season.
USF cheerleaders are also required to participate in team fundraising
efforts throughout the season. The specific fundraisers, dates, and
times will vary from season to season; but for each fundraising campaign
cheerleaders will be given specific goals and deadlines and are expected
to meet them.
Being a college cheerleader is an extremely rewarding experience, but is
also extremely time consuming. Cheerleaders are expected to put
their academics first and cheerleading second. Anyone interested in
trying out should make sure that they are fully aware of the time
commitment required and be ready to dedicate themselves accordingly.
The USF Cheerleaders are under the direction of head coach Liisa Soncrant.
Assistant coaches are Dionne Thacker and Tiffany Mason.
Competition:
The USF cheerleaders have been competing since 1993 beginning
with the Metro Conference Cheerleading Championships
and currently at the UCA College Cheerleading
Nationals. USF competes in the coed Division 1A and
the all-girl/small coed division. USF's small coed team
placed 2nd in 1999, the first year ever to compete
in that division! The small coed/all-girl team opens the
door of opportunity to many cheerleaders. In addition
to talented coed cheerleaders, USF now has a growing need for
female cheerleaders who can base and/or top stunts, pyramids
and basket tosses. The USF Division 1A cheer team placed
8th at the 2002 UCA College Nationals and the all-girl
team placed 5th in Division 1. At the UCA College Nationals, the
2002-2003 season saw the all-girl team place 3rd with two perfect
routines, pre-lims and finals. Co-ed placed in the top 15. At
the 2003-2004 season competition, all-girl placed 4th with two more
perfect routines, pre-lims and finals. Co-ed moved up to the top 10.
Last season, the all-girl team placed fourth again and once again hit both
routines. The all-girl partner stunt group (Meredith Burlon, Jen
Mears, Tiffany Cochran and Carrie Brown) also placed fourth last year and
hit a flawless routine. Way to go cheerleaders!
Rocky
the Bull:
"Rocky" the Bull is the
official mascot for USF. Rocky has traditionally added fun and
excitement to many USF athletic sporting events. Rocky's biggest fans
are the children, of course! Rocky the Bull is loveable to the young,
but invincible to the opponent! Rocky performs at all home football and
basketball games, campus activities, local community events, children's
hospitals and other charity organizations.
For Tryout Information, please
contact Head Coach Liisa Soncrant at usfcheerleading@msn.com
. The USF Cheerleaders are going to
have cheerleading tryouts, which are in the Corral of the Sun Dome from Friday March 18th to Sunday March 20th - times are tbd.
Last year USF had two different teams: a competition team and a non-competition team. Both teams cheer football, basketball and volleyball games but only one of the two teams competes at nationals. At the new games called STUNT (the one the Oracle talked about) members from both teams were able to play. The team is looking for a similar approach this coming year as well!
USF Cheerleading
Attn. Liisa Soncrant
4202 E. Fowler Ave., ATH 100
Tampa, FL 33620
We will have more information on tryouts as it becomes available.
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