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Cheerleading Tryout Rubric | Spirit Tryout Information
The Air Force Academy Spirit Program consists of three teams, under the direction of Coach Sarah Hanley. Coach Hanley oversees the Co-Ed and Group Stunt Squad and the Mascot Team. Coach Chris Julius is our Assistant Program Director and Head Dance Coach. Together, the program bolsters over 60 Division I athletes that support various sports across the Air Force Academy Athletic Department.
The Spirit Squad athletes ensure USAFA pride and professionalism is upheld as ambassadors for the institution and future Air Force and Space Force Officers. Try-outs are held each year to identify the best athletes that embody the esprit de corps of the Air Force Academy. Potential candidates will demonstrate stunting skills, tumbling skills, perform a dance, lead a cheer, and show a jump in the try-out process. Attached above is the rubric used for judging try-outs. It is key to throw your best, but SAFEST, skills in tryouts as we are judging. We are looking for coachable, respectful, developing athletes to mold into our program.
The Air Force Cheer teams consist of 16-25 cadets each year, per team. Our Coed and Group Stunt squad has 12-14 couples (24-28 members), and 3-4 stunt groups. The cheer teams perform on the sidelines of several USAFA sports programs, including football and men’s and women’s basketball. Our squad members travel to away football games, as well as a variety of basketball tournaments with time permitting. Squad members also make over 15-20 appearances throughout the year as ambassadors for the Air Force Academy. Our Mascot Team is comprised of five athletes who make appearances at every home athletic event at USAFA, as well as traveling to away football games and basketball tournaments. “The Bird” is known for his fun-loving shenanigans and interacting with kids and fans at various USAFA events. USAFA Spirit also does community outreach and service projects in the greater Colorado Springs area. The Spirit Program is currently setting its sights on the NCA/NDA College Nationals competition in Daytona Beach, FL for the 2025-2026 season.
The Spirit Program is a non-recruiting program and does not receive “spots” for admission into the Academy. Applicants must work through the Academy’s admissions process. Upon receiving an appointment to the Academy, contact Coach Hanley (sarah.hanley.ctr@afacademy.af.edu) or Coach Julius (christopher.julius.ctr@afacademy.af.edu) to receive more information for the tryout process depending on the team you wish to try out for.
