Tryout FAQ

Tryouts will be held March 20th - 24th 2023

Times to come

Tryouts will be located in the Austin High competition gym.

This year's tryout meeting will be held on February 15th 2024 @ 6:00pm in the Austin High Library. 

Yes, the tryout meeting is mandatory. Parent(s) must attend in order for both new and returning members to be eligible to try out. There will be no exceptions made. 

Here are the requirements for potential new and returning members to be able to try out. 

Being a cheerleader at Austin High School is a privilege that comes with much responsibility. We expect that Austin High cheerleaders will demonstrate responsibility, organization, good citizenship, and a positive attitude. Therefore, in order to be eligible to tryout for Austin High cheerleader, you must:

1. Turn in your completed tryout packet BY the designated due date and time, Monday March 06, 2023 by 12:30 at the west kiosk. NO exceptions after this time. 

2. Must be in good standing financially with the AHS cheer and booster program.

3. Must be in attendance at all required tryout events

4. Must be in good standing with the AHS cheer squad, cannot have been removed from the team either voluntarily or as a coach’s decision.

5. Display a positive attitude and be cooperative throughout the tryout process.

6. Turn in 2 teacher recommendation letters. I will send a google doc to teachers. 

7. Must be passing all current classes.

8. Current physical on file with the trainer at Austin High School. 

9. Should you fail to adhere to any of the requirements listed above, you will be ineligible to try out for the team.

We recommend working on every aspect of cheerleading. Make sure you are working on consistency as well as technique. This includes but is not limited too

• Tumbling

• Jumps

• Dance

• Cheer

• Voice

• Motions

• Spiriting

Look at our tryout material page for videos on what we are looking for.

We do not have a set number of athletes we are taking for the season. A cut will be made where there is the biggest gap in scores. 

Cheer is a year round sport. 

During the summer, we have summer practices and work outs as well as a week long sleep away UCA camp. UCA camp is mandatory. Austin High Cheer practices at least 2 times a week (sometimes 3) during the school week (during class). After and before school practice depends on the season and what events we have coming up. The whole team is required to cheer at every varsity football game, home and away. During the fall, we have at least 4 pep rallies. During the winter, we split up the team and cheer for most boy and girl home district basketball games. We plan to cheer at every playoff game possible. Throughout the year, appearances will pop up that the cheereladers are required to attend. 

• Smile! Make sure you are smiling during the entire tryout, pretend like you are performing in front of the whole school.

• Practice hard. During the tryout clinic, show you are willing to work hard. Go home and practice until you cant get it wrong. We should see you get better every day.

• Take corrections. We are not giving corrections to be mean. We want to give you the best chance possible at making the team.

• Put your best foot forward. 

• Be a teammate. Cheer your fellow potential new and returing members on. We want to see how you will be as a teammate.

Coach Satterwhite will send out an email after tryouts with the numbers or numbers of the athletes who make the team.

It is extremely important that each candidate thoughtfully consider the responsibilities of being an Austin High Cheerleader or Mascot before deciding to try out. It is an HONOR that requires a great deal of time, commitment and dedication. Being an Austin High Cheerleader is also a substantial financial commitment that should be considered by the entire family prior to tryouts. And in being a cheerleader I agree to the following:

1. Cheerleading is a YEAR ROUND SPORT, unlike many others. Students must be physically capable of fulfilling all of the responsibilities and expectations of a cheerleader throughout the entire year. Every candidate needs to understand that he/she will be expected to participate in physical conditioning which requires running, sit ups, push ups, jumping, tumbling, and stunting.

2. Cheerleaders are required to attend every practice every day during the fall and are only excused with a doctor's note. ANY OTHER situation where a cheerleader misses practice will result in a demerit. Doctor's appointments are not excused if scheduled during cheerleading activities, unless a serious illness has occurred. Leaving for a job or “I don’t feel well” do not count as excuses. If you are hurt you must see a Doctor or the Trainers on campus BEFORE the cheer period. If not it will result in being counted late or unexcused. In addition you will be required to stay after school to prepare for upcoming events, please be prepared to provide your own transportation.

3. Cheerleaders/ Mascot must enroll in cheerleading class for the entire school year AFTER being selected. If a cheerleader/ mascot participates in another spring sport and must change to that class, they will give up performance time due to lack of practice.

4. Cheerleaders and Mascot support all sports. In addition to all football games and fall pep rallies, the Austin High School Cheerleaders and Mascot attend boys and girls varsity home basketball games (1-2 games a week), baseball games, volleyball games, softball games, and all playoff games. The mission of the AHS Cheerleaders and Mascot is to provide school and community support.

5. If a cheerleader has a job, his/her employment schedule must not conflict with any of the activities or practices. This also includes any tutorial sessions that may be needed. Tutorials need to be scheduled outside of practice and event schedules.

6. Consider the financial obligations of being a cheerleader or mascot. (Financial information is available in the tryout packet). However, all financial obligations must be met BEFORE the Austin Cheerleader and Mascot will receive any merchandise or attend summer camp. The Cheerleaders and Mascot are also responsible for transportation to all events and practices with the exception of football season. Buses will be provided for those events.

7. Cheerleading is a team sport requiring cooperation, respect for each other, and respect for the Coach(s), and anyone designated as the sponsor. Every single team member is expected to follow the rules and regulations.

8. Every athlete will follow the UIL No Pass No Play Protocol. 

9. If a cheerleader partakes in any illegal activity (drinking, drugs, etc.) it will result in termination from the team. 

10. Every athlete must pass all classes. If an athlete fails 2 consecutive 6 weeks they will be removed from the team and not be allowed to re-tryout 

This position takes a great deal of time and effort, but it is well worth it if you are willing to devote yourself to making the AHS Cheerleaders and Mascot the best ever!

Once it is posted, You can find the tryout material on the Material page under tryouts.