For your convenience. we have provided the following list of questions asked frequently, along with the answers for your clarification! :o)
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CO-ED AND ALL-GIRL SQUADS?
Obviously, the difference is that the Co-ed team consists of a large number of male members as well as female members, whereas the All-girl team is comprised mainly of women. In the cheerleading world, the style of stunting and performance is also viewed as a big difference between the squad types; co-ed teams tend to perform elite-level partner stunt and pyramid sequences which need the strength of men to execute in addition to co-ed style dancing, and all-girl teams tend to perform group stunts which are also known as "all-girl" stunts in addition to a more feminine approach to dancing. Also, the majority of the nation's top colleges and universities are represented at competition by co-ed teams, and a few (like UCSD) have all-girl teams as well. The philosophy and practice schedule along with work ethic in regards to the two squads also differ. Co-ed Spirit will practice anywhere from 4 to 6 days a week as well as attend a tumbling class and conditioning session on a regular basis.
DOES THE TEAM COMPETE?
Yes, the Spirit Squad has competed in the past year as a Division II Small College Co-ed Squad but will become a Division II Large Co-ed Squad this upcoming season. This means a larger squad (20-30 members) and more challenging competitors. Last year, the team captured the National Title in Small Co-ed at the National Collegiate Cheerleading Competitions in Tampa Bay, Florida!!!
DOES THE TEAM CHEER AT GAMES?
Yes, the Triton Co-ed Spirit Squad focusses on UCSD Rugby, Soccer, and Basketball. It is in the philosophy of the team to promote Triton Spirit at home and abroad by leading crowds at Triton athletic events in cheering on the UCSD teams.
WHAT MUST ONE DO TO BE A MEMBER OF THE TEAM?
First you should be a UCSD current or incoming student. Then after attending auditions you will find whether or not you have made the squad. Afterwards, you will be required to attend practices and functions (about 10 hours per week) in addition to a tumbling class each week. Competing Partner stunt couples must also practice an additional 4-6 hours per week with the coach.
WHAT IS REQUIRED AT AUDITIONS?
Audition criteria ranges from year to year, and specifics are decided by the captains prior to the audition date. All areas of cheerleading are covered though, these include dance, jumping, tumbling, cheering, and stunting. Dances are usually 7-9 8 counts long of hip-hop style. Required jump is the toe-touch in addition to 2 other jumps of your choice. Tumbling is optional, and you are encouraged to demonstrate any aspects of tumbling you may posess...from cartwheels to elite passes. One sideline cheer is also taught. Stunting varies greatly; required elements have included extension cradles all the way to toss-high torch-arabesques with 760 cradles. Either way, please keep in mind that only 50% is based on your technical ability as a cheerleader and the other 50% is based on your confidence and personality...many people who haved never cheered before have sucessfully auditioned onto the squad!
WHO DOES THE TEAM CONSIST OF?
The team for the upcoming season will have 8-11 men and 15-19 ladies. Current team members include top-level cheerleaders from the United Spirit Association as well as the Universal Cheerleaders Association. As always, the team abides by the TEAM principle: We practice as a team, we compete as a team, we work as a team, we rise as a team, and we fall as a team. Everyone on the team is required to be present at all times a meeting is called, and the team is not split up for games or competition, but rather attends those events as one big family.
DOES THE TEAM HAVE COACHES?
Yes and no. At the collegiate level, it is rare that one may find a coach skilled enough to direct the team, and usually these rare coaches are hired from a spirit organization. We are extrememly fortunate to have coaches from the United Spirit Association (USA) as members of our squad this season to give us direction and instruction where needed; therefore there are no outside cheerleading coaches which we otherwise would not be able to afford as a new squad. We do however, have a professional tumbling coach (Misa Cisar) from the UCSD Gymnastics Program guiding our team as well as a national-level partner stunting competition coach from Mercer University, a recognized NCA (National Cheerleaders Association) school. Additionally, we have 5 excellent choreographers as members of our squad this season including dancers from the award winning hip-hop team "2-20" and dancers from the television program "Soul Train".
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