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The purpose of this statement is to inform
cheerleaders, as well as parents and interested students, of the
policies of the Centre College cheerleading program. In all policy
and program matters, members of the cheer squad are expected to be
law-abiding citizens and exemplary representatives of the
college.
I. Objectives
Primarily, all cheerleaders must remember
that academics are more important than athletics. The cheerleading
program should enhance your scholastic career, never compromise it.
Secondly, the program is designed to foster growth in the squad
members. Cheerleading develops leadership and interpersonal skills,
physical health, and a sense of self-confidence
in the participant. These improve the student’s mental and
physical well-being and help the student develop into a
responsible, mature, and independent adult.
The primary purpose of the cheerleading squad
is to support of Centre College and its athletic department. We
will accomplish this goal by (1) raising the level of fan support
for the athletics program on campus and in the community, (2)
keeping the fans focused on the field/floor by performing cheers,
stunts, and dance movements and (3) serving as public relations
ambassadors for the college.
II.
Organizational Structure
The Centre College cheer program has one squad with an on-staff
coach. Generally, at least twelve members are chosen at the time of
tryouts. Cheerleaders vote for their captains and co-captains.
III.
Involvement
Cheerleader’s main responsibility is cheering at home
football games, men’s and women’s basketball games,
practices, and pep rallies. In addition to this, cheerleaders may
be asked to attend a number of public relations and/or charitable
events each year. The squad’s coach must approve all such
appearances in advance in order to assure that they reflect
positively on the individual cheerleaders, the squad and the
college.
IV. Rules And
Regulations
A. Tryouts
1. Anyone wishing to try out for cheerleading must meet the
following requirements: a. Attend two of three clinics taught by
current cheerleaders, b. Have a 2.5 grade point average.
2. Anyone who has previously resigned from the cheerleading squad
must obtain special permission from the Coach before trying
out.
3. At least twelve cheerleaders will be chosen at spring
tryouts.
4. Depending on the needs of the team, the Coach may name
additional members or alternates to the team.
5. The Cheerleading program is a time-consuming activity. Persons
who have other serious commitments (other than academics) of their
time, such as a child, a spouse, a 20-hour or more work week, etc.,
are strongly encouraged to discuss their commitment with the
cheerleading coach before trying out for the squad.
B.
General
1. Cheerleaders shall: a. Maintain a 2.5 grade point
average, and b. Be enrolled as a full-time student at Centre.
2. The team advisor may make an exception to rule B. 1. b. in
special circumstances.
3. Cheerleaders shall not consume alcoholic beverages while in
uniform.
4. Without special permission of the coach, cheerleaders, while in
uniform, shall not go into any place where alcoholic beverages are
served.
5. Depending on the availability of funds, cheerleaders may be
required to attend collegiate cheerleading camp.
6. Should the squad college cheerleading camp attend, each
cheerleader shall have a complete physical by a physician prior to
attending camp.
7. Cheerleaders are expected to work as a team. This does not mean
you have to be friends with every other member. However, you must
be able to put aside individual differences and work together for
the good of the squad.
8. Each squad member is personally liable for all of the clothing,
uniforms, and equipment assigned to him/her. Replacing lost and/or
damaged clothing, uniforms and equipment is the responsibility of
each squad member. Care must be taken to insure such clothing,
uniforms, and equipment is in a clean and presentable
condition.
9. Other rules concerning cheerleaders may be promulgated verbally
or in written form by the coach.
10. Violations of any cheerleading rules shall subject the squad
member to discipline. The coach, with consultation and advice of
the school administrators, is the final arbiter of disciplinary
action.
11. A serious violation of these rules or repeated violations shall
result in one's being suspended from the squad. A squad member may
be suspended from cheering one or more games due to violations of
these rules.
12. These rules and regulations are subject to addition and change
when found necessary and beneficial. The coach makes final
acceptance of all rules. The squad member is required to abide by
all rules/regulations set by the coaches and the college’s
student handbook.
C.
Practices
Cheerleaders shall:
1. Attend all practices (Regular practices are scheduled on
Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; special practices will be
scheduled as needed.) Practice schedule may change depending upon
the availability of the gym and/or the participation in a
competition.
2. Not be tardy or absent from practice.
3. Notify coaches as soon as possible if he/she finds it impossible
to attend practice or knows he/she is going to be tardy, and
4. Give 110% at all practices, games, competitions, etc., and
5. Not consume alcoholic beverages before a practice.
D.
Games
Cheerleaders shall:
1. Attend all home football and basketball games, required
scrimmages, and/or special scheduled games or activities,
2. Arrive at the game site thirty minutes prior to kick off or tip
off, unless the coach, or captains designate another time, and
3. Never consume alcoholic beverages before a game.
E.
Travel
Travel to away games, cheerleading meets, UCA and NCA
events will be in accordance with budget restrictions and in
accordance with the College rules and regulations. Final authority
for all decisions made while traveling shall rest with the
coaches.
Cheerleaders have the following
responsibilities while traveling:
1. Cheerleaders will always behave in a manner that reflects
positively on
their school, teammates, and themselves as individuals.
2. Squad members travel with a chaperone as a group and return as a
group, to all off-campus events. If a cheerleader chooses to go to
or from a game by other transportation, he/she gives up his/her
privilege to cheer at the game, except in special cases, which will
be determined by the coaches,
3. Make appearances at certain community and school events (dates
and times will be announced well in advance in order to rearrange
personal/work schedules.
F.
Attendance
1. All members will arrive to practices, games and scheduled events
in a punctual manner. An offending squad member will run one mile
for each minute he/she is late. Three or more tardies will count as
unexcused absence.
2. Absences must be approved in advance by the coach. Pre-approved
events may be academic related, doctor’s excuse, etc.
3. Any squad member who is absent without prior approval will not
be allowed to cheer at the next game. Three or more unexcused
absences will result in dismissal from the squad.
G. Injuries
and Illnesses
Squad members will report all injuries and illnesses to
the coach immediately. Any injury suffered during practices, games,
or other official functions will be treated by the Centre College
athletics trainers and/or doctor. Payment for such treatment will
be the responsibility of the squad member. In the event of an
injury or illness, the squad member is question may not be
permitted to practice and cheer for a period of time as determined
by the trainer
or a doctor. The squad members’ ability to resume practicing
and cheering shall be determined by a trainer or a doctor. If
chronic illness or injury causes a squad member to miss games or
practices repeatedly, the squad member may be removed from the
squad by the advisor.
H. Alcoholic
Beverages And Drugs
Cheerleaders should be aware that their behavior is
subject to constant scrutiny. Especially when in uniform,
cheerleaders are highly visible members of the college community
and any questionable decisions they make could have a negative
impact on the college, the squad, and themselves. Cheerleaders
should always try to keep their visibility in mind, especially
on
the subject of overindulgence of alcohol. If a cheerleader finds
him/herself in an uncomfortable situation for any reason, but
especially because of alcoholic beverages, he/she should inform the
coach as soon as possible.
Members of the squad shall adhere to the
following rules:
1. Cheerleaders shall not possess or drink alcoholic beverages in a
College vehicle;
2. Cheerleaders shall not consume alcoholic beverages before or
during a game or a practice;
3. Cheerleaders shall not procure for or attempt to coerce
cheerleaders who are under 21 or who do not want to drink alcoholic
beverages into doing the same.
Cheerleaders who violate these rules shall be
subject to serious disciplinary measures up to and including
immediate dismissal from the squad.
Centre College is committed to providing a
safe and healthy environment for the cheerleading program. Conduct
that involves the unlawful possession, use, distribution or
manufacture of controlled substances by a cheerleader while
traveling for the College or at any official cheerleading
functions/ activities shall result in termination from the
cheerleading program. Similarly, the unlawful possession, use,
dispensation, distribution or manufacture of controlled substances
by a cheerleader at any other time shall result in appropriate
discipline, up to and including termination from the cheer program;
any sanction for such a violation outside of cheerleading
functions/activities shall be with consideration to the potential
embarrassment or bad reflection on the cheer program, and/or the
College. Like all Centre athletes, members of the squad are subject
to random drug testing. Initial positive drug tests shall result in
dismissal from the squad. Cheerleaders are expected to be good
citizens and therefore, carefully and faithfully abide by College
rules and regulations and the laws and ordinances of the city or
state in which they live or travel.
V. Health,
Life-Style And Nutrition
The cheerleading program is committed to promoting healthy
lifestyles and eating habits for squad members. Conduct which poses
an unacceptable risk and/or disregard for the health, safety, and
welfare of participants will result in appropriate disciplinary
action up to and including termination form the squad.
Cheerleaders at Centre College must be
excellent athletes. Cheerleading involves the aspects of several
athletic activities, e.g., rotation and tumbling of gymnastics,
stamina of basketball, strength of bodybuilding or football, and
the balance and movement of dance. Squad members must have
sufficient strength to base pyramids and to lift, hold, throw, and
catch other squad members safely. Squad members must be of
appropriate size and weight such that they can be lifted, held,
thrown, and caught safely. Squad members must demonstrate the
flexibility which is necessary in the athletic aspects of
cheerleading.
In order to maintain this level of fitness,
all squad members are required to perform mandatory weight training
and cardiovascular workouts outside of practice on an individual
basis. You can pick up a copy of the training regimen from your
coach
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