It is our mission to uphold the pride and tradition of the Augustana Vikings through the unification of the student body, alumni, and fans. We will support as many athletic events as possible and promote a positive game-day atmosphere for Augustana University.
Augustana University Cheer Team Tryouts
Sunday, May 5th | 9 am - 12 pm
Augustana Elmen Center
To register (required prior to tryouts): This Tryout/Recruitment Questionnaire is required.
*Those who are unable to attend the tryout may submit a video audition via email to Coach Betzi Plucker (betzi.plucker@augie.edu) by Sunday, April 28th. Please email for more information regarding a video tryout.
The Augustana Cheer Team is open to all current and incoming Augustana students. AU Cheer is one half of the Augustana Spirit Squad, the other half being the Augustana Dance Team. The Spirit Squad works closely with the Augustana Athletics Department and game-day promotional teams to ensure a fantastic game-day experience. All team members will receive a scholarship, which needs no additional forms/information to be eligible.
Open Gyms: Before tryouts, AU Cheer will host two clinics on campus. These will be held on March 23rd from 10 am - 12 pm and April 27th from 5:30 pm-7 pm in the Elmen Center Main Gym. These are open to juniors and seniors in high school and to current/transfer students interested in trying out. Please bring a copy or photo of your medical insurance and emergency contact name and phone number to these events.
Cheer Tryout Attire: Plain black shorts, a fitted top or t-shirt (white, navy, black), and cheer shoes. Hair should be half up-half down (note: a small part of your tryout score is “overall image.” It’s in your best interest to look game-day ready.)
What to bring to tryouts: Each tryout attendee must have filled out the
recruitment questionnaire online prior to the tryout; bring correct attire and any items that you need for performing (braces, tape, etc.), and a water bottle.
Cheer Tryout Requirements:
Stunting groups will be formed at tryouts however, prior stunting experience is highly preferred.
Sideline cheer and spirit dance will be taught and judged during tryouts.
Standing/Running Tumbling is preferred but not required.
Participants will also be judged on overall performance and spirit/game-day image.
AU Cheer Recruitment Questionnaire
General Team Information
Commitment: AU Cheer and Dance team members will be required to be in attendance at all AU home football games, AU home basketball games, and any playoff games. All athletes are required to participate in fundraising and campus, community, and volunteer activities as needed.
Practices: The AU Cheer Team will practice 2-3 times a week and are required for game-day participation.
Workouts: Each athlete will be required to attend scheduled team workouts twice a week.
Team Camps: Mandatory Cheer home camp is held prior to UCA Camp in August. This is typically a two-day camp held in Sioux Falls, SD. Team photos are taken at this time, and home camp is valuable in learning team skills, as well as the AU “look.” More information on home camp to come!
Cheer UCA camp will be held August 1st- 4th in Wisconsin Dells, WI, at the Chula Vista Resort and Hotel. The team is responsible for fundraising the cost of this camp, and any remaining camp costs not raised in our fundraising efforts will be the responsibility of each athlete. UCA camp is a great opportunity for our team to gain game-day knowledge and experience, as well as push our teams to their full potential. This will be the team’s third time attending UCA Camp.
Costs: Anticipated costs include a home camp fee of $400 that is due the first day of camp, shoes, body basics, warm-ups, and other required spirit wear items athletes keep, such as sweatshirts, backpacks, etc. Official AU uniforms (skirts and shell tops) will be provided by the program. Items paid for by the athlete are theirs to keep. Some items are purchased rookie year only and won’t be necessary to purchase each year.
Uniform expected costs for cheer between $200-300 their rookie year. Our team store order is typically in May the previous season.
Other: All new team members are
required to get a physical done by a doctor, along with other AU-required medical forms, before camp in August and have it on file at Augustana. Each athlete will meet with an Augustana Athletic Trainer to complete a concussion baseline test on the first day of home camp.
If you have any questions:
Online Cheer Tryout Information
Video submissions are due prior to Sunday, April 28th, 2024
Please tape the following and put them together into 1 video (preferably an unlisted YouTube video) and email the link to your tryout video to Coach Betzi Plucker prior to April 28th, 2024. Please do one skill right after another with no wait time, as there is the ability to rewind the video to rewatch.
1st Segment: State your full name and where you are from.
A video of you stunting. Can be multiple selections of any position you are confident in.
2nd Segment: Cheer
Select a cheer from
this video and perform it as if you were in a game day setting.
3rd Segment: Augustana Fight Song
The Augustana Fight Song to Band
Music Can be found here
Video - Fight Song performed by Dance (Blue + White Uniform)
*
Optional- You may also send extra footage of any running/standing tumbling and/or jumps that you are able to perform.
GOOD LUCK & THANK YOU!
