2012 Cheer Order Form

Q:  How many team members do you take each year?

We take anywhere from 20-25 members per team.  We have an all-girl and coed team, which are both Varsity teams.

Q:  What are some of the activities the team participates in?

We cheer all of the home and away football games, men's and women's home basketball games and home volleyball matches; however we also perform at the men's and women's basketball ACC/NCAA tournament, and participate in various community events and fundraisers throughout the year.

Q:  Do you all receive scholarships?

We do not receive scholarships; however team members do not pay for uniforms or travel expenses. We also have many other free perks including Nike Warm-Ups, Nike Shoes, Nike Bags, Nike (and other) Practice Wear, t-shirts and sweatshirts, jewelry, discounts on gym memberships, tanning, salons, and so much more.

Q:  What competitions do you attend?

We attend the Universal Cheerleaders Association's National Competition in January that can be seen on ESPN. All-Girl and a select few of coed females will participate on our STUNT team that will compete in the spring. 

Q:  I am coming to Florida State to visit the campus, etc. Is there a way to meet with the coaches and possibly come watch a practice?

Yes! Please email Coach Staci Sutton at ssutton@fsu.edu.

Q: What is the practice schedule?

We practice Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 and Sundays for 2 hours. We have required workouts 2 days a week in the mornings and this will be worked around your class schedules.

TRYOUT INFORMATION

2012 Cheer Tryout Form

Q:  When and where are cheerleading tryouts?

Cheerleading tryouts will be held May 4th,5th,and 6th, 2012 at the Moore Athletic Center in the Turf Room.  You can receive information and directions to the Moore Athletic center at http://www.seminoles.com/facilities/fsu-moore.html.

Q:  What do I need to bring with me to tryouts?

- A COPY of your FSU Card (for current students) or acceptance letter (for incoming Freshmen)

-A COPY of your insurance card (front and back)

- Completed application form (located on the website)

- Application fee of $50 (cash or money orders only - NO CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED)

Q:  Are incoming freshmen, seniors, or Graduate Students allowed to try out?

Freshmen and seniors are allowed to tryout, but we do not allow graduate students. 

Q:  Do the current cheerleaders have to tryout each year?

Yes. We understand that cheerleading is a highly competitive team and that every year a member must earn their spot.

Q:  What characteristics do you look for during tryouts and why?

We are looking for individuals who represent the "all around" cheerleader.  Yes skills are important, but so is the way you carry yourself and the way you communicate with the coaching staff and other students trying out for the team.  The way our tryouts are held shows us who will be able to handle the work load and pressure of what an average week of practice would be like due to the type of skill level needed and the ability to learn material quickly. 

Our main focus is athletic events, so you must be a GREAT game cheerleader as well as a great representative of our team and community.  A lot of what we do in the FSU spirit programs is community related events, therefore we must have individuals who speak well with strangers and are comfortable representing FSU at all times.

Q:  Do you all accept videos in place of tryouts?

We do not accept videos in place of tryouts. If you have an unavoidable conflict with our tryout dates please contact us as soon as possible at ssutton@fsu.edu.

Q:  Can I receive extra preparation and tips for the upcoming tryouts?

Yes! We host two college prep clinics in the spring that will help prepare you for our tryouts.  This is open to individuals that are freshman in high school up to college.  This clinic will give you the opportunity to stunt with other individuals that are trying out for the team now or in the future as well as the current team.  The clinic also gives you tips to help prepare you for any college tryout.  

Q:  What are the requirements to be an FSU cheerleader?

We put BASIC required skills on this site, but more may be required of you as you go along further in the tryout process.  Tumbling skills for males are a little less strict.

TUMLBING SKILLS:

-Standing back tuck, back handspring back tuck, toe touch back tuck

-Round off back handspring layout

STUNTING SKILLS:

If you are an all-girl cheerleader, you will not have to do all three positions for tryouts.  You will do what you are comfortable at and what you are best at.  If you excel in more than one position, you are able to try out for more than one position.  You MUST tryout with the other individuals that are trying out, you cannot bring your own stunt partner or stunt group.

-Extension (coed-toss/all-girl walk in)

-Liberty (coed-hand - all-girl walk in)

-Stretch (coed-must full down - all girl must double down)

 

COACHING STAFF:

Head Cheerleading Coach/Spirit Coordinator: Staci Sutton

Staci is originally from Altamonte Springs, FL where she attended Lake Brantley High School.  A 2001 graduate of Florida State University; she received her Bachelor's Degree in Sports Management. Staci cheered on the 1997 FSU ALL-GIRL National championship team.  She is former Head Instructor and staff member of UCA as well as the former Program Director of Gym Force Cheerleading here in Tallahassee, FL.  Staci served as the FSU Assistant Cheerleading Coach in 2001, and then began serving as the Head Coach in 2002.

Assistant Cheerleading Coach:  Robyn Braun

Robyn is from St. Petersburg, FL where she attended St. Petersburg High School.  During high school she cheered at Brandon All Stars, as well as at St. Pete High.  Robyn graduated from the University of Florida in 2007 with a degree in psychology.  While at UF she cheered on the All-Girl Competitive squad for two years and then coached the squad for two additional years.  In 2009, Robyn graduated from Barry University in Miami with a Master of Science degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology.  Currently, Robyn is working on her doctorate degree in Sport Psychology at Florida State University.  In addition, she has been on NCA staff for the past seven years, as both an instructor and head instructor.  Robyn began serving as the Assistant Cheerleading Coach at FSU in 2009.

Assistant Cheerleading Coach:  Dana Brown

Dana is a former cheerleader and captain of the Florida State University Cheerleaders.  Dana started on the coaching staff in 2011.  Dana is originally from Key West, Florida where he was a member of Key West All-Stars.  Dana currently does choreography for college and high school teams all over the world as well as does most of our choreography for FSU.  Dana is also the Head cheerleading coach at Tallahassee Community College.

Student Assistant Cheerleading Coach: Christine Habeeb

Christine is a University of Kentucky graduate and former cheerleader. She is attending Florida State University to receive her Master's Degree in Sports Psychology. Christine started with the FSU coaching staff in 2011.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO: Ron and Caroline Hobbs, Michelle and Ron Stansteid, Gym Force Athletic Training Center, MAC cosmetics, Mellow Mushroom Pizza, Planet Beach and Durra Print