Starting next year, the University of Denver Department of Promotions will be bringing back cheerleading to help make DU athletics more successful, said Director of Promotions Angel Field.
At the beginning of last fall, the DU Department of Recreation and fitness cut the cheerleading team and invited high school squads to cheer at DU basketball games. DU then made a donation to that high school.
In December, Field began the task of building a cheerleading squad.
“We are trying to build campus and student enthusiasm,” said Field. “I feel like we can build a successful program to support Pioneer athletics.”
The squad will be more than a club sport as members will report to the Division of Athletics instead of the Division of Recreation, where the current Dance Team reports. However, the squad will not be a varsity sport and will not be able to offer scholarships.
Field is committed to building a program and sees competing as a possibility down the road if the team develops well.
The squad’s main focus for next year will be men’s and women’s basketball, but hopes to move into other sports as the year progresses, said Field.
“We plan to do a couple of gymnastics competitions and build chants or cheers in the students sections at hockey games.”
“We are trying to build more of a tradition of sports at DU, and all traditions start with the students,” said Field. “We will be trying to reach out to the students.”
The tryout process begins with clinics today, interviews will be on Thursday, followed by a walkthrough on Friday and concluding with the actual tryouts, which will take place Saturday.
“I’m expecting a diverse group to try out,” said Field. “There has been interest from within the community from students who cheered in high school to students who have college cheering experience and have transferred.”
The number of people who try out will determine whether the team is all women or co-ed.
To date no coach has been hired.
Mascot tryouts will also be held on the same date so students are still assured of seeing Ruckus running around the stands next year.
“This cheerleading squad will be nothing like people remember from before and we are trying to build a new part of DU,” said Field. “We will be there next year to make DU athletics more successful.”
