Ready to wear the M?
The University of Minnesota Spirit Squad is always looking for talented student-athletes that can help positively move the program forward!
This page has all of the information that you need to know about becoming a University of Minnesota Cheerleader, including recruiting timelines and what steps you should be taking right now!
Recruiting Timeline
In 2020, the University of Minnesota Spirit Squad moved to a full recruiting model for team selection. In this new structure, tryouts became a thing of the past, as athletes are now able to sign a Letter of Intent to secure their roster spot in the program. The Signing Period for the 2025-26 Cheer Team will open on November 8, 2024 - coinciding with the National Letter of Intent Signing Period.
Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors
This is the time that you should be doing your research and start deciding what you’re looking for in both a school and a cheer program.
What you should be doing now…
Attend clinics
Submit your Recruit Questionnaire
Contact University of Minnesota coaches to get on coaching staff’s radar; let them know if you are at any local Minnesota or large national competitions/events where coaches may be able to see you perform
Set yourself up for academic success; work hard in the classroom to ensure your GPA and ACT scores are exemplary
Summer going into Senior Year
You should be narrowing down your search to a couple of final schools.
What you should be doing now…
Resubmit your Recruit Questionnaire with updated information
Apply to the University of Minnesota
Start gathering video clips for your Official Recruit Video
Fall of Senior Year
You should be making your final decision and taking the final steps to secure your roster spot.
What you should be doing now…
Continue to attend clinics
Submit your Official Recruit Video and Letter of Recommendation
Official visit to the University of Minnesota
Sign Letter of Intent (contingent upon offer)
What does it take to be a University of Minnesota Cheerleader?
When it comes to team selection, student-athletes are chosen for both their ability as an athlete, and their fit with the team culture. We pride ourselves on not just being great athletes, but being great people.
In your skill set…
We want to see a solid standing tuck and round off-handspring-full executed on dead mat. We also like to see a strong foundation of fundamental gameday stunts, including extensions, liberties (and other single-leg body positions), cupies, and full-ups. In your execution of these skills, we want to see quickness in building from the bottom and stability in holding these skills at the extended level.
Any elite stunting skills (back handspring-ups, hand-in-hands, other spinning skills) are a bonus! Any specialty tumbling passes (arabians, whips, etc.) or standing tumbling ending in a full (handspring-handspring-full, standing full, etc.) are a great way to stand out!
Who you are…
Your character is the most important deciding factor in our team selection. We are looking for people that we can trust to uphold the standards of our program, even when no one is watching. This means that you are all about the team over your personal wants. You understand the responsibility that comes with representing something much bigger than yourself. You are a self-starter who is motivated by trying to become greater every single day. You don’t take any opportunity for granted, and you take action to make the most out of your four years.