Welcome and Overview

Cheerleading at the University of Richmond is a non-scholarship athletic activity. However, we do recognize cheerleaders as student-athletes. Each cheerleader is awarded benefits such as professional training, free tutors, varsity letter awards, use of the athletic weight room, and access to an outstanding sports medicine staff.

The athletic department has as its top priority our cheerleader's academic well-being and safety. Our coaches are safety certified and have extensive knowledge of the sport of cheerleading. While many college squads practice as many as five and six days per week, we prefer to recognize the importance of other aspects of personal development associated with the college experience and limit our practice sessions to two days per week. Cheerleaders are expected to adhere to the conditioning program designed by the U of R Strength and Conditioning coaches.

Richmond cheerleaders are called upon to serve as athletes, entertainers, and public relations representatives for the University in arenas all over the country. Our goal is to promote Spider Spirit while representing the University in a positive manner.

We are looking for dynamic, upbeat people to exhibit their learned and developed cheerleading skill and to promote crowd involvement and project a positive image on campus. As a cheerleader, you will be extremely visible and looked up to in a leadership role among the Spider fans and youth in the community.

Tryouts are held in the fall in order to give incoming freshmen the opportunity to make the team. You will be judged on all cheerleading fundamentals including cheer and dance execution, stunting ability, personality projection, and gymnastics skill. Tumbling is not a requirement but it is considered an asset. You must have stunting knowledge and significant strength and flexibility in order to make the team.

Cheerleading at Richmond is a time-consuming but rewarding experience. Cheerleaders are expected to cheer at all home football, men's basketball, and women's basketball games. We travel to at least one away football game and all post-season tournament events. Last year, we had the unique opportunity to cheer our Spider football team to a National Championship.

Being part of the Spider cheerleading squad requires hard work and dedication. However, the experiences you will have and friendships you will form make it worth the effort and sacrifice.