Spirit Squad Tryout Information

2026-2027 Cheer, Pom, and Mascot Recruiting Clinic Dates:

Sunday, September 20th, 2026
Sunday, October 25th, 2026
Sunday, January 10th, 2027
Sunday, February 28th, 2027
Sign up for our Clinics HERE!

About the Texas Spirit Program:

The Texas Spirit Program is comprised of Texas Cheer, Texas Pom, and Hook 'Em (costumed mascot). Its mission is to promote and encourage athletics at The University of Texas at Austin by leading and engaging fans at designated athletic events and university functions. The program serves as ambassadors to the university at all times.

Spirit Program Tryout Requirements:

1. Be enrolled as a full-time student at The University of Texas at Austin for the fall and spring semester
2. Maintain a cumulative 2.0 grade point average
3. Be in good academic and disciplinary standing with current school
4. Current UT students and transfer students are eligible to tryout
5. Turn in all required tryout materials by the deadlines (See Spirit Program Tryout Process and Information document above)
6. All spirit program members must pass a background check

Spirit Program Tryout Selection Criteria:

Strong leadership qualities
Charismatic presence/personalities
Confidence
Independence
Enthusiasm
Ability to engage an audience

Cheer Squad(s) Selection Criteria:

Tumbling:

Candidate's potential ability to execute consecutive standing back tucks on a dead floor/mat
Candidate’s potential ability to execute a standing back handspring back tuck or any other elite standing skills on dead floor/mat
Candidate’s potential ability to execute series running tumbling (ie: round off back handspring back tuck, layout, full, or higher skill)

Stunts:

Strong stunting technique and ability to execute elite level stunts
Coed suggested skills: toss stunts, walk in stunts, and other elite stunts
All-girl suggested skills: extension, lib, 360’s, full up, and other elite stunts

Material

The University of Texas Fight Song
Down Chants, March Grandioso, Wabash Cannonball

Pom Squad Selection Criteria:

Strong cheer motions and crowd involvement skills
Double pirouettes (or more)
Fouettes or turns in second
Split leaps on both right and left
Second leaps on both right and left
Dance foundation in ballet, hip hop and jazz
Athletic physique appropriate for required activities and current uniforms (We do not have a height or weight requirement.)
Ability to remember and perform complex and fast-paced routines

ORANGE SQUAD (Co-Ed Cheer)

Orange squad, the co-ed cheerleading team, supports Texas Athletics as a whole while primarily focusing on men's sports. The co-ed squad cheers Football home and away games, Men's Basketball home games, Soccer home games, and travels to postseason Football and Basketball games. Members of this squad also make numerous appearances throughout the year as determined by the coaching staff Schedules for all members should be flexible as this team has commitments over weekends and all holiday, spring, and summer breaks.

2027 Tryout Dates:

Friday, April 9, 2027 - Saturday, April 10, 2027
Tryout Registration Deadline and Materials due Wednesday, March 24, 2027
Cheer In-Person Invitations Sent Out Wednesday, March 31, 2027
Required New Member Meeting and Welcome Weekend on Saturday, May 8, 2027

WHITE SQUAD (All-Girl Cheer)

White squad, the all-girl cheerleading team, supports Texas Athletics as a whole while primarily focusing on women's sports. The all-girl squad cheers Football home games, Volleyball home games, Women's Basketball home games, Soccer home games, and travels to Football, Volleyball, and Women's Basketball postseason. Our all-girl cheer team also competes in STUNT the Sport along with gameday responsibilities. Members of this squad also make numerous appearances throughout the year as determined by the coaching staff. Schedules for all members should be flexible as this team has commitments over weekends and all holiday, spring, and summer breaks.

2027 Tryout Dates:

Saturday, April 10, 2027 - Sunday, April 11, 2027
Tryout Registration Deadline and Materials due Wednesday, March 24, 2027
Cheer In-Person Invitations Sent Out Wednesday, March 31, 2027
Required New Member Meeting and Welcome Weekend on Saturday, May 8, 2027

TEXAS POM

Texas Pom supports Texas Athletics as a whole while primarily focusing on Men's and Women's Basketball. The Pom Squad cheers at Football home games, Men's Basketball home games, Women's Basketball home games, Soccer home games, Baseball home games, and travels to Football, Men's Basketball, and Women's basketball postseason. Additionally, Texas Pom performs hip hop and jazz routines during timeouts and rallies. Members of this squad also make numerous appearances throughout the year as determined by the coaching staff. Schedules for all members should be flexible as this team has commitments over weekends and all holiday, spring, and summer breaks.

2027 Tryout Dates:

Friday, April 16, 2027 - Saturday, April 17, 2027
Tryout Registration Deadline and Materials due Wednesday, March 31, 2027
Required New Member Meeting and Welcome Weekend on Saturday, May 8, 2027

HOOK 'EM (Mascot)

Hook ‘Em, the costumed mascot, supports Texas Athletics as a whole while primarily focusing on Football, Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Soccer, Softball, and Baseball. The mascot travels to away Football games along with postseason Volleyball, Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, Softball, and Baseball. Hook ‘Em is known for high energy dancing, sideline skits, and his engaging social media content. Members of this squad also make numerous appearances throughout the year as determined by the coaching staff. Schedules for all members should be flexible as this team has commitments over weekends and all holiday, spring, and summer breaks.

2027 Tryouts:

If you are interested in trying out to be Hook 'Em please email us at txcheer@austin.utexas.edu for tryout information!

The University of Texas at Austin Athletics