GCU Cheerleaders General Information - Grand Canyon University Athletics

The GCU Cheerleaders celebrate a Men's Basketball win!

GCU Cheerleaders General Information

HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR PAGE! The GCU Cheerleaders are a highly reputable team, comprised of extremely dedicated and disciplined athletes. Our number one responsibility is to represent Grand Canyon University and we do that with pride. Our tryouts are strategically structured to help us find mature, hard-working, and highly coachable young men and women. Email us at GCUcheerleaders@gcu.edu if you have any questions! Follow us on TikTok & Instagram @gcucheerleaders to stay updated! Lopes Up!

Our staff:

Kori Boe - Head Cheer Coach
Megan Bamford - Assistant Cheer Coach
Jesi Weeks - Spirit Programs Manager
Tristyn Thomas - Operations Assistant
Ashley Gentry - Athletic Trainer
Eric Jackson- Strength Coach

CHEERLEADING TEAM OVERVIEW

Mission
The mission of the Grand Canyon University Cheerleaders is to support, promote and represent Grand Canyon University through proper promotion of school spirit, pride, tradition, and student involvement.

Objectives

Support GCU Athletics by cheering at all home men's and women's volleyball matches, soccer matches, men's and women's basketball games and other select athletic contests and events.
Support University Relations & GCU Marketing by attending and performing at various promotional events on campus and within the community.
Demonstrate strong character qualities, such as commitment, integrity, maturity and passion, as well as serve as exceptional representatives and ambassadors of Grand Canyon University, GCU Sprit Programs and the cheerleading team.
Display appropriate Division I collegiate level of cheerleading skills and technique and reinforce those concepts during games and performances.

Description of Team

We are the official GCU Cheerleading Team and are under the supervision of GCU University Relations and Campus Events with a line to Athletics.
We have both an All-Girl and Co-Ed team that incorporates game day cheering, partner stunting, group stunting, pyramids, basket tosses and tumbling.
- Both Co-Ed and All-Girl work cohesively together. They have combined practices/work-outs that allow both groups to work together when needed, but also develop distinct skills needed for each specialty.
- Top girls are often asked to fly both All-Girl and Co-Ed depending on need.

OVERALL REQUIREMENTS & EXPECTATIONS

Each semester, team members must be accepted (by the time of tryouts) and enrolled (while on the team) as a full-time student at Grand Canyon University (12 credits per semester, 8 on ground if living on campus).
Must have and maintain a 2.5 GPA to be eligible for scholarship, maintain a C (75%) or above grades in all classes in order to participate, and provide grade checks every three weeks.
Demonstrate exceptional academic leadership in the classroom by attending all classes, being an outstanding student, and being committed to academic excellence.
Abide by all rules and regulations set by NCAA Division I (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and the Western Athletic Conference (which GCU athletics falls under) as they pertain to collegiate cheer & dance.
Maintain all athletic training paperwork and abide by ALL athletic compliance policies & guidelines, including: drug & tobacco policies, random drug testing, medical insurance coverage and behavioral conduct standards.
Follow all AACCA (American Association of Cheerleading Coaches & Administrators) safety rules and display proper understanding and demonstration of safety technique to help prevent injury.
All athletes must exhibit appropriate personal and professional conduct where they are mature, responsible, accountable and have a growth mind-set. A focus on character development and the ultimate acceptance of our mission & objectives are required.
All athletes must show an understanding of responsibility and commitment regarding maintaining health and wellness, nutrition, safety, and injury prevention.

TRYOUTS AND CLINICS

Traditionally, our tryouts take place in April of every year and are a 3-day (Friday-Sunday) process.
Visit our TRYOUTS TAB for more information.
Visit our CLINICS page for more information.

SUMMER REQUIREMENTS & TIME COMMITMENTS

Athletes participate in summer meetings and workouts in order to improve during the off-season
Athletes are required to participate in a (mid) June practice on GCU campus – all costs associated are the responsibility of the athlete
Athletes are required to move onto campus earlier than other students to prepare for our season, usually end of July/beginning of August (exact date depends on year)
Athletes attend UCA Collegiate Cheer Camp in Santa Barbara, CA

SEASON REQUIREMENTS & TIME COMMITMENTS

Practices & Games

Attend all season practices, workouts, as well as assigned games and other university/community events beginning of fall semester & continuing through mid-April. In general, a commitment of 20+ hours per week can be expected each week.
Missed practices, games or workouts is NOT permitted unless there is an emergency situation. Family vacation, work conflicts, etc. are not reason for missing practice.
You must be available for all games that might be scheduled over Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break and other holidays.

Other University & Community Events

The GCU Cheerleaders are truly athletic forms of marketing and are used in many ways to promote GCU. We attend and perform at pep rallies, media events, campus and community events.
Being in the public and being the face of GCU is a role that is not taken lightly and requires the cheerleaders to be very approachable, personable, and mature.
We do everything we can to plan accordingly and give the athletes as much notice as possible. However, additional events do come up periodically and we ask team members to be flexible.

FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

The cheerleaders are a fully funded team, with great support from the University and the GCU executive team. Our financial obligations are very minimal compared to many other teams. They are:

A $50 Tryout Fee is required when registering for tryouts – online fees apply.
A $400 team fee is required upon making the team. $200 is paid at tryouts and $200 is paid in August.
It is expected that approximately $100 worth of additional costs will be required of each athlete.
Additional fundraising efforts may be necessary dependent on team goals for the season.
Expenses for travel costs during summer practices and food costs during pre-camp practices
Additional costs will be mandatory for those who make our competition team

BENEFITS

Scholarships!! (See below section).
Nike attire and gear (practice clothes, shoes, warm-ups, duffel bag, pom poms, etc.). All paid for by and property of GCU Cheer!
GCU Cheer uniforms and other GCU marketing apparel.
Fully funded trip to Santa Barbara for UCA Cheer Camp, including food.
Opportunity to cheer for a Division I University and lead the NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED STUDENT SECTION, THE GCU HAVOCS!
Use of GCU's athletic weight room & a customized training program developed by one of GCU's top-notch strength & conditioning coaches.
Access to GCU's athletic training facilities and trainers for any team related injuries.
Opportunity to travel to tournament and championship games, fully funded.
Opportunity to compete at a collegiate level cheerleading competition, fully funded.
Opportunities for professional development and networking within University partnerships.
A solid support network that fosters personal purpose and growth from the challenge of a dynamic Christian dedicated team.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Any team member may receive a scholarship upon making the team if all eligibility requirements are met, however, the exact amount varies each year. Scholarship potential based off of, but not limited to, years on the team,GPA, and skill. Members must have and maintain a 2.5 GPA and be in good standing of the team's policies.

COMPETITION

We are first and foremost game day cheerleaders, and we do believe great game day cheerleaders can also be highly competitive. We compete in Florida at the UCA College Championship and are ranked nationally amongst other top Division I programs.

Other competition details are:

The top 20-30 athletes will be chosen from BOTH the coed and all-girl team to make-up the competition team who competes in the Small Coed D1 Division.
We compete in both the traditional division, as well as the game day division highlighting the exciting energy found at our home athletic events at a nationally recognized level.
Coaches and choreographers will make the final decision on the athletes who will compete. It will be based upon many factors, such as attitude, grades, experience, required skills, and availability of extra practices.
GCU funds quite a bit of the cost, but additional fundraising will be necessary and required of all team members.