2026-2027  BUTLER UNIVERSITY CHEER TRYOUT PROCEDURES

Please read all information below, then click the link to register! 
You must register prior to April 1
 

REGISTER HERE - https://forms.gle/iJcc8VcaHftAJcBJ8

Dates: April 17th | 5pm - 10pm
  April 18th  | 9am - 2pm
 
Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Butler University
 
Eligibility: 

• All admitted incoming Freshmen, transfer student/Grad student and/or any current Butler University student
• Current college students must show proof of GPA 
• All athletes must maintain full time status (12 hrs for undergrad & 6 hrs for grad)

Complete Each Step Before Tryout:

STEP 1:  Fill out the 2026 - 2027 Try out registration form https://forms.gle/RRTqVRECKQLTx86B7

STEP 2: After April 1 - Watch for email that will include process of submitting additional paperwork listed below.  You will need to submit a physical that has been performed within the last 12 months prior to April 19 if a high school senior.   Current college students will need a physical within the past 6 months.  All will need to provide copy of your insurance card (front & back) and three Butler forms that will be included in the email.  You will also be required to show proof of Butler acceptance and/or commitment to Butler University.

STEP 3:  Tryouts – April 17 & 18th:

Tryouts are closed – only coaches, coaches’ guests, and participants are permitted in the gym. All athletes will be expected to leave Hinkle during breaks while judges are discussing team formation. Call backs will be posted on Instagram and those that advance will return to Hinkle for next session. 

What to bring:  Proof of acceptance to Butler and/or proof of deposit payment,  water bottle, and snacks.  There  will be a lunch break on Saturday. You should pack a lunch for Saturday sessions as there are minimal fast food restaurants close by.  There will be a timed run on Friday so make sure you bring running shoes.

What to wear: 

Female – White, navy, gray or black shorts and shirt.  Please all stunt positions wear spanx under your shorts.  White bow. Game ready hair and makeup. NO jewelry! Cheer appropriate shoes.  NO SPORTS BRAS AS TOPS OR NIKE PROS AS SHORTS.
Male – White, navy, gray or black shorts and shirt.  No tanks.  Athletic shoes. Hair and face game ready.  NO jewelry!
Stunt skills required:  We judge stunting on proficiency OR obvious potential to obtain collegiate level elite skills quickly.  Top girls should be prepared to stunt on all girl and coed.  All Girl bases/backspots should be prepared to perform more than one position if requested. Coed males should be prepared to show game day stunts with multiple fliers.

AG Required Stunting - Incoming athletes - basic ability to master in a short period of time

Full Up
Round Off Up
BHS Up
Low to High Full Around
Switch Up Lib
**top girls will be asked to show stretch and arabesque in a stunt
Dismounts: Safe & Secure Pop Offs, Corkscrew
 

AG Elite Stunting - Preferred returners - mastered or working towards

BUFU/WUFU
Hand in Hand
FHS Up 
Rewind
**top girls will be asked to show stretch and arabesque in a stunt
Dismounts: Front/Back flips,  Double Downs
 

Coed Required Stunting - Incoming athletes - basic ability to master in a short period of time

Toss Chair
Purdue Up
Walk-In Extension
Toss Hands, Press Lib
Toss Extension (Shown in War Song)
**top girls will be asked to show stretch and arabesque in a stunt
Dismounts: Safe & Secure Pop Offs

Coed Elite Stunting - Preferred returners - mastered or working towards

Toss Platform, Lib/Stretch
Toss Lib
Toss Cupie
Full Up
Rewind
Hand in Hand
BHS Up, FHS Up
**top girls will be asked to show stretch and arabesque in a stunt
 
Tumbling:   Preferred skills are solid standing tuck (with poms) and round off backhandspring tuck on basketball court.  Additional tumbling skills will be evaluated and will always increase tryout scores.  Many tumbling skills translate into stunting skills (ex: standing tuck - rewind, handstand – hand in hands, back handsprings -  bhs ups and fhs ups). 
 
Additional skills: 
Mastery of Butler War Song, strong motions to lead the crowd, strong sign work, strong game day presence, and coachability.  Video of War Song will be sent with materials on April 1.
 
Competition: Butler Cheer has competed at UCA College Nationals the past four  years. While everyone may not compete, we are competitive and looking for competitive athletes who want to win. The competition team will be selected by the coaching staff in the fall and it is not optional. If you make the team you are expected to fill any role that might need filled. 
 

TRYOUT SCHEDULE AT HINKLE FIELDHOUSE:

Friday, April 17th  5 pm - 10 pm- HINKLE FIELDHOUSE - Enter Door 1

5 - 5:15  PM – CHECK-IN – PROOF OF ACCEPTANCE/DEPOSIT, CURRENT GPA FOR BUTLER STUDENTS, ANY REQUIRED MEDICAL MATERIALS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN SENT IN PREVIOUSLY.
STRETCH, WARM UP, REVIEW WARSONG  ***Please note, we will not have gym availability until 5 pm.  No need to arrive prior to 5 pm!
5:15 - 9:30  PM – Session 1 - Evaluations - War Song, Tumbling, Stunting, Sign Work
9:30 PM - Timed Run
11 PM –  First Call Backs Posted on Instagram

Saturday, April 18th -  9am-2 pm - HINKLE FIELDHOUSE - Enter Door 1

9 AM – 11:30 am – Session 2 - Evaluations
11:30 - 12:15  PM – Lunch on your own
12:15 - 2:00 pm -  ADDITIONAL EVALS OR FIRST PRACTICE FOR THE 2026-2027  BUTLER UNIVERSITY CHEER TEAM (Spectators welcome once team is named)
2:00 pm - First team meeting - order clothing items

STEP 4:  

MAY 1, 2026 – Documentation of deposit paid must be sent to Coaching Staff by this date to be placed on official Butler Athletics rosters
STEP 5:  Join the fun!
MANDATORY SUMMER PRACTICE DATES AND UCA CAMP - dates TBD - SHOULD BE SET BY APRIL 1, 2026          
 
***Our tryouts are in person.  If you are unable to attend tryouts, please email and explain situation.  Also, all documentation must be received as if you were in person.  We highly recommend coming to the March 22 clinic and/or open gyms on March 23 and March 25 at minimum.  We have found that the most successful applicants are the ones who are present for tryouts, but we will view your video the final evening of tryouts to see if we have a position available for you.  If you attend the clinic and/or open gym, please be sure Coach Jamerson is aware that you are trying out and will not be present April 17 and April 18.*****