Our Try-Out Process for the Sycamore Spirit Squad Has Changed
PRIOR TO ANY APPLICATION SUBMISSION, PLEASE CONTACT COACH SHIKE.YOU WILL NEED TO SET UP A CALL. IF YOU ARE PUT THOUGH TO THE NEXT STEP, IT MAY REQUIRE A ZOOM CALL.
THE NEXT STEP;
ALL applicants must submit a completed application package containing all of the following items to be considered for the tryout process. This must be received by Coach Shike by 4 p.m. EST on March 1, 2026.
You will email the completed application packet to Tamara.Shike@indstate.edu. The packet would contain:
- A completed Spirit Squad Application - Spirit Squad Application PDF
- A current photograph, taken within the last 6 months and has not been altered by software such as Photoshop or other similar programs. Please submit a head shot and full body photo.
- A current video demonstrating the applicant’s proficiency in basic skills: YOU NEED TO ONLY SUBMIT ONE VIDEO PACKAGE. CHOOSE EITHER TO CONCENTRATE ON CHEER OR DANCE. YOU DO NOT NEED TO SUBMIT FROM BOTH CATEGORIES. HOWEVER, YOU MAY SUBMIT FROM BOTH CATEGORIES IF YOU HAVE SKILLS IN BOTH.
- Submitting from both categories requires applicants to demonstrate a minimum of three required skills listed in the following cheer and dance sections.”
- DANCE BACKGROUND; Submit a 45-60 second video of you PERFORMING a high energy, upbeat combination. You may include tricks, turns and skills you have at a high level of accomplishment. Second video-REQUIRED DANCE SKILLS; A CLEAN TRIPLE PIROUETTE (ON FULL RELEVE-CLEAN SPOTS-NO HOPS), THREE FOUETTES IN SECOND WITH A CLEAN DOUBLE PIROUETTE OUT (SEE ABOVE FOR PIROUETTE REQUIREMENTS), A CALYPSO AND/OR TURNING DISC FROM A RELEVE AND PLIE CHAINE TURN, ROLL OUT. Please submit another video to showcase your advanced skills in dance, along with any tumbling skills.
- CHEER BACKGROUND; Submit a 45-60 second video of you PERFORMING a high energy, upbeat Cheer Dance. You may include tumbling skills you have at a high level of accomplishment. Second video-REQUIRED CHEER SKILLS; A STANDING BACK TUCK, A ROUNDOFF BACK HANDSPRING BACK TUCK, A TUMBLING SERIES, (STANDING OR RUNNING) INCORPORATING AT LEASE 3 SKILLS (FOR EXAMPLE-TWO BACK HANDSPRINGS TO A TUCK OR FRONT WALKOVER ROUNDOFF BACK HANDSPRING TO A TUCK) Please submit another video of your advanced tumbling skills, along with any dance skills.
- ALL APPLICANTS; Submit a video of Jumps – DEMONSTRATE A MINIMUM OF THREE DIFFERENT JUMPS: Toe Touch with proper execution; Right and Left side Hurdler, Ring Jump, C Jump.
HARD DEADLINE FOR ALL OF THE APPLICATION PACKET: March 1, 2026 at 4 p.m. EST.
Submit your application packet by email to:
Tamara.Shike@indstate.edu
IF YOU ARE ASKED TO CONTINUE THE TRYOUT PROCESS, YOU WILL NEED TO BRING HARD COPIES OF YOUR APPLICATION AND PHOTO TO IN PERSON TRYOUTS.
Indiana State University
Department of Athletics
Attention: Tammy Shike, Spirit Squad Coach
401 North 4th Street, Arena 74B
Terre Haute, IN 47809
WE ARE IN THE UNIQUE POSITION OF HAVING A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF OPENINGS TO FILL FOR THIS TEAM. WE ARE SURE THE COMPETITION FOR SPOTS WILL BE TERRIFIC!
THERE WILL BE AN ON CAMPUS tryout. Time and date TBA. YOU MUST ATTEND THE ON CAMPUS TRYOUT IN PERSON IN ORDER TO CONTINUE THE TRYOUT PROCESS. FAILURE TO ATTEND WILL NECESSITATE WITHDRAWAL OF THE APPLICATION. DO NOT ASK FOR A DIFFERENT IN PERSON TRYOUT DATE. On-campus tryouts will be held for those selected from the submitted applicants. All applicants will be notified if they are selected to attend the in-person, on-campus tryouts. Only those submitting complete and timely applications will be considered for on-campus tryouts.
If you are selected to continue the tryout process, you will be sent a video of a dance to learn. You will need to demonstrate that dance combination as well as all submitted skills at the in-person tryout. You will also learn an impromptu combination to demonstrate at the in person tryout. A cut will be made after those are evaluated. There will be an individual interview after the skills tryout for the students continuing in the process.
