Tryouts & Team Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Arizona Cheerleaders & Mascots uses a tryout-based selection process, not a recruiting model, and all positions are earned annually. No fully virtual or alternative tryout dates are offered—candidates must attend in-person in Tucson. To be eligible to try out, students must be admitted to UA for the upcoming fall semester, hold a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, and submit the online application form by the listed deadline. For questions, please contact Head Coach Vanessa Romeo at vromeo@arizona.edu.

 Mascot Tryouts: February 2026 
Link to Information Packet & Application Upload Forms

Link to Online Application Form — due February 15th

 Mascot Tryouts Important Dates:

• Feb 15 at 5:00pm: Online Application Due (late applications will NOT be accepted).
• Feb 16: Evaluation Forms sent electronically to professional references provided in online application.
• Feb 18-20: Candidate interviews scheduled; Finalists invited to in-suit tryouts will be notified Feb 20.
• Feb 23: Evaluation Forms due for application points.
• Feb 24: Finalist in-suit tryouts at Women's Basketball vs. Houston. Tipoff is at 6:00pm, but candidates should be prepared to arrive up to 3 hours early for evaluations of other components.
• Team Commitment: Local new mascots will begin onboarding and basic training shortly after tryouts. All team members must report to Tucson mid-to-late July for mandatory preseason training and UCA College Camp in Aug. 

Mascot Tryout Process (in-person):

• Submit the Application Form by 5:00pm Sunday, February 15.
• Once the application link closes, Coach Vanessa will select students for interviews, scheduled Feb 18–20 at McKale Center-Hall of Champions. 
• Wilma candidates will complete a Musical Freestyle. Wilbur candidates will complete a Musical Freestyle, a flag run with the large "A" Flag, and 1-arm push ups. The Musical Freestyle evaluates a mascot's rhythm, energy, and response to different genres of music. 
• After the completion of interviews, Finalists will be selected for In-Suit Tryouts at Women's Basketball vs. Houston on Tuesday, February 24 at 6:00pm. Meet time for the game is typically 3 hours prior to tip-off. Finalists will receive an email with all instructions and details for the in-suit tryout. 
• Selected new team members (if local) will begin onboarding and basic training shortly after tryouts. 

Required Documents — Mascot Application (due Feb 15):

• Verification of Enrollment (current UA students) OR UA Acceptance Letter for Fall 2026 (incoming freshmen/transfers)
• Unofficial transcript from school currently attending showing a minimum 2.0 semester and cumulative GPA
• Medical Release Form (requires a Doctor's signature MD/DO — Nurse Practitioners NP cannot sign)
• UA Assumption of Risk & Release Statement
• Contact info for 2 professional references to complete Evaluation Forms
• Application Fee $30 (non-refundable)
• Short video introduction

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 26-27 Cheer Tryouts: May 2026 
INFO PACKET & APPLICATION COMING SOON

Cheer Tryouts Important Dates:

• Apr 17 at 5:00pm: Online Application with Round 1 Skills Videos Due (late submissions will NOT be accepted).
• Apr 20: Invitations to in-person Semifinals will be emailed, including a link to learn Fight Song motions.
• Apr 20: Evaluation Forms sent electronically to professional references provided in online application.
• May 1:  Evaluation Forms due for application points.
• May 9-10 (All-Day): Semifinals & Finals, invite-only in Tucson. Candidates must advance to Sunday's Final Round after Semifinal eliminations.
• Team Announcement: Immediately after tryouts conclude on Sunday; families welcome to join first meeting and photos. 
• Team Commitment: Begins mid-to-late July with mandatory preseason training and UCA College Camp in Aug. 

Cheer Tryout Process: 
Online Application + Round 1 Skills Video Submission
Semifinals & Finals invite only, in-person Tucson 

• Submit the Application Form with Round 1 Skills Videos by 5:00pm Friday, April 17. 
• Once the application link closes, Coach Vanessa will invite Semifinalists to mandatory in-person tryouts May 9-10. Candidates must advance to the Finalist Round after Semifinal eliminations. The invitation will include a link to learn the Fight Song motions, with original choreography changed to ensure fairness for all candidates. 
• In addition to skills evaluations, Semifinalists will complete a Fitness Evaluation, and Finalists will also participate in an Interview with the judges panel. 

Required Documents — Cheer Application (due April 17): 

• Verification of Enrollment (current UA students) OR UA Acceptance Letter for Fall 2026 (incoming freshmen/transfers)
• Unofficial transcript from school currently attending showing a minimum 2.0 semester and cumulative GPA
• Medical Release Form (requires a Doctor's signature MD/DO — Nurse Practitioners NP cannot sign)
• UA Assumption of Risk & Release Statement
• Contact information for 2 professional references who can complete Evaluation Forms
• Application Fee $50 (non-refundable)

Round 1 Video Submission — Required Skills (due April 17):

Coed Partner Stunts (All Candidates; Males will also be considered for potential)

• Toss Chair 
• Toss Hands Extension
• Toss Hands Liberty
• Toss Target Heel Stretch

Tumbling on non-spring cheer mat (Optional for males)

• Choose 1 — Advanced Tumbling Pass:  
  • Round-off 3 Back Handsprings to Tuck
  • Round-off Back Handspring to Layout
  • Round-off Back Handspring to Full Twisting Layout

Tumbling on basketball court (Optional for males)

• Standing Back Tuck
• Standing Back Handspring to Back Tuck
• Running Round-off Back Handspring to Back Tuck

Musical Freestyle (Females only)

Submit 30-sec video using a hype gameday song. Rally, clap, use "cheer talk" and perform with strong collegiate-level energy and crowd engagement, as if you were on the sidelines at Arizona! 

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 TRYOUTS & TEAM FAQs 

Arizona Cheerleaders & Mascots is a coed spirit program under Arizona Athletics, offering student-athlete benefits such as travel opportunities, training facilities, weight room access, Nike gear, Kasser Medical Center, and Bear Down Kitchen. The team is non-competitive and non-scholarship.

What do I need to do to try out for Arizona Cheer & Mascots?
Full details will be in the information packet (once available), but a brief overview is listed below:

• Must be admitted to UA for the upcoming fall semester and have a minimum 2.0 GPA.
• Each applicant must complete the online application form by the listed deadline.
• Cheer candidates must also submit a Round 1 Video submission of required skills. 
• In the application form, candidates will be required to upload the following documents:
  • Verification of Enrollment (current UA students) OR UA Acceptance Letter for upcoming fall semester (incoming freshmen/transfers)
  • Unofficial transcript from school currently attending
  • Medical Release Form (requires a Doctor's signature MD/DO — Nurse Practitioners NP cannot sign)
  • UA Assumption of Risk & Release Statement
  • Contact information for 2 professional references who can complete Candidate Evaluation Forms. Forms will be emailed to references and must be completed by the listed deadline to count towards application points. 
  • Application Fee (non-refundable)

What are the skills requirements to tryout?
Each applicant should become familiar with the tryout requirements, listed in the information packet. 

Are fully virtual or video tryouts accepted?
No. Fully virtual or video-only tryouts are not offered. Cheer candidates must submit the required skills in the Round 1 Video Submission, which is used for initial evaluation. Selected applicants are then invited to the mandatory in-person Semifinals and Finals in Tucson.

Can I get recruited by Arizona Cheer?
No, we use a tryout-based process, and all candidates—including returning team members—must try out and advance through each elimination round.

Are cheer clinics offered before tryouts?
We host cheer clinics throughout the year, offering opportunities to meet the team and coaches and work on required skills with current members. Tumbling is not instructed at our clinics. We typically hold a fall clinic, spring tryout prep clinic, and Future Spirit of Arizona Weekend in January/February, which includes multiple experiences and sessions. Submit the Cheer Interest Form to receive communication about upcoming clinics. 
 
How many cheerleaders make the team each year?
Squad size varies each year, with up to 15 flyer positions and 15 base positions, though not all positions are filled annually. Returning team members must also try out each year. We value skill, stunt versatility and strong academics over team size, selecting candidates who make a lasting impression and can represent Arizona with excellence. 

What is the season's schedule and time commitment?
As a program under Arizona Athletics, participation requires a significant time commitment. With numerous athletic events and public appearances, our philosophy is that Cheer & Mascots come second only to academics. The season begins mid-to-late July with mandatory training camp and concludes in March–April, depending on post-season basketball. Tryouts are held annually in the spring. Cheerleaders practice three times per week and lift twice per week, while mascots meet weekly and lift twice per week. Students sign up for and attend public appearances that best fit their schedules. Excellence requires dedication and commitment. Through hard work, the spirit team has become an integral part of the tradition of excellence at the University of Arizona and Arizona Athletics.

What student-athlete benefits and perks come with being on the team?
Team members have the opportunity to travel for away and post-season Football, select pre-season and post-season Men's and Women's Basketball, and Women's Volleyball Final Four. Members of the University of Arizona Cheerleading and Mascot program receive uniforms, Nike attire, and equipment. Additionally, the Cheerleaders and Mascots have full use of Arizona Athletics facilities, including the student-athlete Strength & Conditioning Facility, Bear Down Kitchen (one free meal a day), and the Kasser Medical Treatment Center. Arizona Cheerleaders & Mascots does not offer scholarships at this time.

Who can I contact with more questions about Arizona Cheer & Mascots?
Head Coach: Vanessa Romeo
Email: vromeo@arizona.edu