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ARTICLE I: QUALIFICATIONS.
SECTION A.
ENROLLMENT: To be eligible for selection, full-time
enrollment at WKU is required. High school graduating seniors
and college transfer students are eligible for selection after
enrollment at Western Kentucky University.
SECTION B.
GRADE POINT AVERAGE: A student must have a cumulative GPA
of 2.0 or higher at the time of tryouts. High school seniors or
college transfer students must be able to meet the WKU admission
requirements. A 2.0 cumulative GPA is required to maintain
eligibility. Proper academic standing must be attained with the
university. If proper standing is not acquired then probation
for one semester may be allowed in which the student will be
limited to cheerleading functions.
SECTION C.
PHYSICAL FITNESS: To be eligible, a student must be
physically fit, due to the strenuous activity at practice
sessions, sporting events, and other areas of the sport. Each
squad must maintain a high degree of physical fitness in order
to perform the required activities safely. Any member who fails
to meet this requirement, as determined by the Cheerleading
Coach, will be removed from the squad. A complete physical is
required of each cheerleader before they may begin practice.
SECTION D.
LEADERSHIP SKILLS: Since the members of the squad have
tremendous influence on the student body, it is necessary that
they demonstrate good sportsmanship, exercise mature judgment,
and direct the competitive spirit of the spectators with proper
crowd involvement. Whether at an athletic event or in general
public, each squad member is representing Western Kentucky
University and the Athletic Department at all times. It is
essential to demonstrate proper behavior especially on road
trips while representing the university.
SECTION E.
DISCIPLINARY PROBATION: Any student on Disciplinary
Probation is not eligible to try out for the team. Therefore,
any member of the squad placed on disciplinary probation must
forfeit their position immediately.
ARTICLE II: DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
SECTION A.
PRACTICE SESSIONS: Cheerleaders must attend and
participate in all practice sessions, which are scheduled by the
coach. Organized practice sessions are scheduled periodically
throughout the summer. The coach through the year determines the
practice times during the school session. The practice schedule
depends upon the basketball schedule and the readiness of the
squad. In addition to the organized practices, conditioning
practices at the Preston Center, at the convenience of the
cheerleader, are recommended. Individuals must receive prior
approval from the cheerleading coach in order to miss any
practice session. The excuse must be written down on a piece of
paper instead of verbally stating the excuse.
SECTION B.
SPORTING EVENTS: The cheerleaders are scheduled to cheer
at home and away football and basketball games as chosen by the
coach. The athletic advisor and the cheerleading advisor will
determine travel to away games. Cheerleaders must return from
breaks if there is a scheduled game or tournament. Failure to do
so will lead to disciplinary action. Members of the Red or White
squad may be inclined to cheer various sporting events.
SECTION C.
ABSENCE: If any member of the squad has more than one
unexcused absence from a scheduled game or practice the
individual must automatically forfeit their position for the
remainder of the academic year. Being late to a practice or a
game more than once may be treated as an unexcused absence.
Excused absences consist of emergencies, sickness, or death in
the immediate family. The coach must approve all absences prior
to the occurrence. Excuses after the matter will not be
accepted.
SECTION D.
VACANCIES: Once a cheerleader forfeits his/her position,
for any reason, the individual may not resume the position for
the remaining academic year.
SECTION E.
FUND RAISING: Fundraising is an essential part of Western
Kentucky University. Some opportunities are provided to enable
the cheerleaders to raise funds. These finances are used for
required apparel, defraying the cost of camp, and expense
incurred with any competition. The coach or advisor relay
further policies regarding the fund raising activities at the
time of the event. Each member of the squad must attend the fund
raising activities or social appearances as told to by the coach
or advisor.
SECTION F.
CODE OF CONDUCT:
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The cheerleaders' role is to build
cohesiveness and excitement through cheers, chants, stunts,
and competitive routines.
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Common sense, mature judgment, respects for
all people, and courageous decisions, even in the most
difficult circumstances govern the conduct of WKU squad
member.
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Cheerleaders must concentrate on the game
in order to lead timely cheers and control the crowd.
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Conversations with friends and teammates
should occur after the game, and never during the game.
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Decisions are made in practice session,
following the discussion of all alternatives and differences
of opinion. Disagreements among teammates at athletic events
are counterproductive and not acceptable.
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It is essential that each member of the
squad follow the directions of their elected leaders during
organized functions to develop a well-coordinated squad.
SECTION G.
MISCONDUCT INCLUDES:
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Any conduct which constitutes a danger to
any person's health, safety, or personal well being, such as
physical abuse or threat of abuse.
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Any act of harassment of any player, coach,
official, fan, band member, etc., by any member(s) of the
squad.
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Any individual or squad behavior which is
abusive, obscene, lewd, indecent, violent, excessively noisy,
disorderly, or which unreasonably disturbs other groups or
individuals.
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Any intentional interference with or
obstruction of any athletics activity, or facility; including
the following:
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Any unauthorized occupancy of athletics
controlled facility of blockage or access to or from such
facility.
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Interference with the right of any
university member or other authorized person to gain access
to any athletics controlled activity, or facility.
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Any obstruction or delay of Safety, and
Security office or official in the performance of their
duty.
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Any act of misuse, vandalism, malicious, or
unwarranted damage or destruction, defacing, disfiguring or
unauthorized use of property belonging to the University or
any such act against a member of the University.
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The consumption or possession of alcoholic
beverages or drugs to or during practice, home or away
athletic events, home or away pep rallies, and any other
appearance by WKU cheerleaders
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Failure to comply with directions of
University officials acting in the performance of their
duties.
SECTION G.
PENALTY: The failure for misconduct is suspension from
the squad.
ARTICLE III. SELECTION
SECTION A.
CHEELEADERS: During the spring semester individuals will
be selected to serve as cheerleaders for either the red or white
squad. During the fall semester tryouts will be reopen for
individuals to tryout into the program. It is at the coach's
discretion to remove individuals from one squad and then place
them to the other. This decision is based on certain positions
that are needed to be filled.
SECTION B.
SELECTION COMMITTEE: The skills tryout selection
committee will consist of up to six judges. These judges will be
comprised of cheerleader coaches/sponsors from area colleges and
schools, cheerleading association representatives, alumni
cheerleaders and/or others with expertise in cheerleading. In
the event of a tie, the cheerleader advisor and/or cheerleading
coach will break the tie.
ARTICLE IV. CO-CAPTAINS
SECTION A.
ELECTION: Purchasing the Uniforms: The members of the
squad will have the opportunity for input in the selection of
uniforms, however, the sponsor is the only person authorized to
purchase uniforms. The University will provide all basic
uniforms and equipment with the exception of the shoes, bags,
sweat suits, and other personal accessories.
SECTION B.
MAINTAINING THE UNIFORMS: Each of the squad members is
responsible for washing and mending their own uniform. The squad
member must replace any garment, which is lost or damaged. All
uniforms are to be turned in prior to spring tryouts.
SECTION C.
WEARING THE UNIFORM: The uniforms should be neat, clean,
and pressed at all times. Hairstyles and make-up should be in
good taste. Uniforms are only to be worn at recognized
University events.
SECTION D.
RETURNING THE UNIFORM: The uniforms issued to each
cheerleader should be turned in upon the conclusion of the
season and/or upon request by the cheerleading coach/advisor.
Failure to turn in the proper, full uniform may result in a
financial hold by the University until proper remittance is
made.
ARTICLE VI. AWARDS
SECTION A.
Each cheerleader receives a varsity letter certificate from the
Varsity Club, known as the W-Club, upon successfully completing
one year of cheerleading and approval of the coach. Each
cheerleader receives a varsity letter jacket from the Varsity
Club upon successfully completing of two years of cheerleading
and approval of the coach. Team awards will be awarded at the
end of each season. There will be a post-season awards banquet.
At that time, all individual and group awards will be given.
ARTICLE VII. TRAVELING
SECTION A.
The red squad will be scheduled to travel to select away
football games and one squad will be selected to travel to
select away basketball games. This will be done on a rotating
basis. The squad will travel together in an authorized
University vehicle to and from all scheduled away games. Seat
belts must be worn. An exception to traveling with the squad may
be granted by the coach if a written request is received from
the individual or by the individual's legal parent or guardian.
The cheerleading coach determines individuals selected to travel
to events.
ARTICLE IX. EXCEPTIONS
SECTION A.
The coach or advisor and the athletic director considering the
University's interests and the welfare of the squad will decide
any exceptions to the rulings of these policies and procedures.
ARTICLE X. COMPETITIONS AND PERFORMANCES
SECTION A.
All performances and competitive squads are hand chosen by the
head coach and the events are considered as an extracurricular
activity to the season. Routines will require certain positions
with a particular skill that may be required such as tumblers
and stunters. Individuals will be chosen on talent as well as
considering the dedication to the program, cheering games, fund
raising, and special appearances. First priority is to cheer
games. Individuals maybe filled in by members on others squads
in case of absence. Individuals may be asked to cheer various
events throughout the season.
ARTICLE XI. BOOK SCHOLARSHIP
SECTION A.
Individuals that receive book scholarships must return all books
within one week of finals. All individuals falling to do this
will receive a block on grades and registration.
ARTICLE XII. POST SEASON PLAY
SECTION A.
Post-season travel will consist of 12 people that are chosen.
Post-season travel is considered to be the Sunbelt Tournament
and NCAA Tournaments. |
