Cheerleader Tryouts 2026 - 2027 - Grand Canyon University Athletics

Cheerleader Tryouts

TRYOUTS 2026-2027
Click HERE to Register for Tryouts
Click HERE to access the Tryout Packet
Click HERE to view to the 2026-2027 Tryout Material

TRYOUT DATES:

Thursday, April 9th | Optional Open Gym 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Friday, April 10th | Evaluations 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday, April 11th | Interviews + Evaluations 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday, April 12th | First Practice 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
*Can fly out anytime after 3:00P M on April 12th

If you have any questions, please email gcucheerleaders@gcu.edu or visit gculopes.com/sports/cheerleading

Follow us @GCUCheerleaders

IMPORTANT DEADLINES
*All deadlines are FIRM--Please do not ask for an exception!

Sports Medicine Information Packet Due: Friday, April 3rd
- *All Medical Paperwork must be consolidated into one file and emailed to ashley.gentry@gcu.edu
Online Registration Due (Ryzer): Sunday, April 5th
Online Paperwork Due: Sunday, April 5th
Virtual Tryout Video & Paperwork Due (*If applicable): Sunday, April 5th
- *This includes all REQUIRED Tryout Paperwork & Medical Forms.
- *See below for details on the Video Tryout submission process.
In-Person Tryout Packet Due: Friday, April 10th
- *Paperwork is due at registration check-in on Day 1 of Tryouts.
Team Fee - Part 1 ($200.00 Non-refundable): Sunday, April 12th
Team Fee - Part 2 ($200.00 Non-refundable): Friday, June 19th

TRYOUT MATERIAL VIDEO
Although trying out by video is not ideal because the judges cannot truly assess the candidates abilities and performance, our program understands the importance of providing those who are unable to attend in-person an opportunity. Video tryouts should only be done by those who simply have no way to attend the actual tryouts and will be subject to the following:

Video tryouts must meet all video tryout requirements and be filmed in the correct order and format listed below.
If candidates make it to the 2nd day of tryouts, candidates must be available to participate in the Interview portion of the tryout process on April 11th.
- Interviews will be held via Zoom. An email will be sent out on April 10th with information regarding your Zoom Interview.
If video candidates are selected for the team, they will be placed on the team on a provisional basis.
Their skills and character will be further evaluated at the June practice and if what was shown in the video does not match what is shown in person, they will be removed from the team.
Video Tryout Submissions (via YouTube link) & Paperwork must be emailed to gcucheerleaders@gcu.edu by Sunday, April 5th, 2026.
- Subject: [YOUR NAME] - GCU CHEER VIRTUAL TRYOUT SUBMISSION

Virtual Tryout Videos MUST be filmed in the exact format as the Full Tryout Video Example on YouTube in order to be considered for a position on the team:

Introduction (First & Last Name)
Running Tumbling
Standing Tumbling
Standing Tuck/Full OR Cartwheel Tuck (*If you do NOT have a Standing Tuck/Full)
Fight Song with IME Stunt
Sideline Cheer with IME Stunt
Elite Stunt Sequence

*Videos must be filmed in one single take with no cuts or edits.
*Failure to film the video in the order specified process will result in your video not being accepted or evaluated by the judging panel.

TUMBLING/STUNTING SKILLS
In addition to the Game Day Material, tumbling and stunting will be evaluated.

Each participant will be evaluated on the following:

Tumbling:

Preferred Standing Tumbling:
- Standing tuck
- Standing back handspring(s) tuck, layout, and/or full
Preferred Running Tumbling:
- Running tumbling to a tuck
- Running tumbling to a layout and/or full

*Keep in mind, although tumbling is not required, it is on the score sheet. When comparing possible candidates, it could be the make or break which athlete we take.

Game Day IME Stunts:

ALL-GIRL:
- Prep
- Extension (2-Foot OR J-up)
- Quick toss to extension
- Extension bump in go liberty & heel stretch
- Extended liberty, heel stretch, arabesque, etc.
- Full up
- Full Up Immediate
COED:
- Toss hands
- Toss bump & go extension
- Toss extension
- Toss platform with body position
- Toss immediate body position
- Toss Immediate- Low to High Tick Lib
- Toss Cupie
- Full up

Elite Stunts:

ALL-GIRL:
- *See Scoring Rubric in Tryout Packet for lists of skills.
COED:
- *See Scoring Rubric in Tryout Packet for lists of skills.

*Please note: Not all skills are necessary to make the team. We will be evaluating everyone individually based on execution, difficulty, coachability and attitude.