WESTERN MUSTANGS or OPEN VIPERS. (as pdf) Which Team is best for YOU?
The key to earning a spot on the squad is to be highly athletic. We look for fit, strong, adaptable athletes that can learn quickly and that have the raw talent needed to excel. We do not have a list of "required" skills but it is useful to note that we do not cheer, dance, jump or do "motions" at our tryouts. You will stunt, tumble and run and will engage in some basic fitness testing (push ups, sit ups, vertical jump testing). The stunts are pretty basic: toss chair, toss hands (extension/lib etc). We do not expect that you have done these skills before. We do look for good jumpers who can stay tight and learn quickly during the tryout session.
We do not have individuals attend the Spring Tryout, who have not been pre-scouted (at competition, camp, visit, video etc). Similarly we do not invite individuals who are "team shopping" and just want to "see what it was like".
It is never too late to tryout and/or talk to the coach. In the perfect world, 100% of the next year's team members would come to the Spring Tryout, then we would get rolling. This is entirely unrealistic. Every year, we acquire excellent team members both at the Fall Walk-ons and throughout the summer. The key for YOU, is to not delay getting in touch with the coach.
"Walk-0n" and Freshman Tryouts: Friday of Frosh Week - 2:00 - 5:00pm - At TD Waterhouse Stadium. Open to ALL current UWO students. This has been the day and time slot for over 18 years. The specific "date" is irrelevant. IF it is raining, go to the stadium anyway and we will drive people to the Power Cheer Gym.
Spring Tryouts: These tryouts are by invitation only if you are currentlt not enrolled at UWO. To be considered for invitation, you MUST first meet with coach Trace (preferably at the Power Cheer Gym) and/or be scouted during the school year. Out of provide candidates are encouraged to call coach Trace to discuss attending the tryout and/or put together a personal highlight video tape.
Mid Summer Pick Ups: Many team members were unable to attend the
Spring Tryout or did not expect to get accepted at UWO until the summer.
If YOU are such a person and wish to get rolling with the Mustangs, you
MUST call coach Trace and arrange a pre-practice visit or workout. We often
time arrange to meet with you when you are in town for your campus tour
or class selection day. Please do NOT wait until the late summer to contact
the coach. The sooner we know about YOU, the sooner we can get you prepared
to cheer for the Stangs. I was Accepted
at UWO...what now?
Pre-Season Training Camp: The Mustangs typically attend NCA College
Camp at the University of Louisville (in August). All team members who attend
will be active during Orientation Week and the opening games. Late summer
additions to the program who meet team criteria/needs will be phased in
to the squad.
Pre-Season Home Training Camp: All team members return to London
for a three day pre-season prep camp on the Labor Day weekend. It is fondly
referred to as Hell Camp. Home camp starts on the Wednesday prior to the
Labour Day weekend (afternoon) and runs through Sunday afternoon (move in
day). The league opener football game is on Labour Day Monday (often as
a televised night game).
Scholarships: There is currently no post secondary institution in Canada, that offers athletic scholarship assistance to cheerleading team members. UWO does however have hundreds of academic scholarship, bursary and student aid programs available through the Student Awards/Aid office. There are scholarships awards by various provincial and private cheer organizations but you must seek these out and apply for them outside of the context of the UWO program. NOTE: every year, we receive dozens of calls and emails asking about our scholarship program. PLEASE read THIS paragraph and act accordingly.
Admissions: Click HERE for UWO Admissions and Registrars Pages.
Varsity and JV Sept 1998 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sunshine and Mascot J.W. - - - - - - - - - - - - At Kellogg's Promotion 2001
