Frequently
Asked Questions
The Texas State
Spirit Program (cheerleaders and mascots) serve as ambassadors for the
university and are at the forefront of spirit building, particularly
at Bobcat athletic events. In addition to providing spirit for the Bobcats
at all home football, volleyball, and men’s and women’s
basketball games, selected members from the All-Women, Coed, and Mascot
squads often get the opportunity to represent Texas State beyond the
borders of San Marcos by traveling to away athletic events or providing
spirit at university sponsored functions.
Annually, the spirit
program competes at the Universal Cheerleading Association’s College
Cheerleading National Championships which are held every January at
the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The program has seen
much success in recent years having won the 2000, 2003 and 2006 All-Women
National Championships and winning the 2006 United Spirit Association
College Mascot National Championship in Las Vegas, NV.
The program
only carries the finest student-athletes in and out of uniform and prides
itself on representing Texas State University and establishing Bobcat
Pride throughout Central Texas.
Below are
answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Q:
How can I get more information about trying out for the cheerleading
squad?
Texas State Cheer holds auditions every Spring for the upcoming school
year. For more information on tryouts click here.
Q:
How can I book a cheerleader and/or Boko for an appearance?
Texas State Cheerleaders love bringing spirit and fun to all athletic
events. They can bring the same excitement and fun to your social, private
or fundraising event. To request a cheerleader and/or Boko for your
event please fill out an appearance request
form.
Q:
How many cheer squads does Texas State have?
Texas State has two cheer squads. (One All-Girl
squad and One Co-Ed squad).
Q:
Does Boko do personal appearances such as birthday parties?
Yes Boko loves entertaining Bobcat fans and kids. If you would like
to submit a request to have Boko attend your special event contact him
by clicking here.
Q:
Is it hard for you to see through the mascot suit? Is it hot inside
there?
Boko is a professional and spends several hours working on his tricks
and entertainment skits so that he can bring joy to Bobcat fans and
kids who watch him. Boko can see everything that happens at a game and
only gets hot under the collar when he sees the Strutters or the Texas
State Cheerleaders.
Q:
Hey Boko, what is your favorite food?
Hmmm...My favorite food is Cat nip and anything from Jones Dining Hall.
See all of Boko's favorites by clicking here.
Q:
Where does Boko live?
Boko lives at Bobcat Stadium and has a fall home in Strahan Coliseum.
Boko has a lair in both places where he keeps all his cool toys and
can be readily available to cheer on the Bobcats. During my slows times
I like watching Garfield and eating Cat nip.
Q:
Do you offer scholarships or out of state tuition waivers?
No, not at the present time, but we are working to secure money to start
supplying them next year.
Q:
Do I need an invitation to attend a tryout session?
You DO NOT need an invitation to attend the mascot tryouts or the Team
tryouts. Anyone willing to tryout must fill out the tryout packet and
submit it on or before the first day of tryouts. Click
here for more info on tryouts.
Q:
Who pays for any travel related to cheerleading?
The Texas State Athletics department pays for travel to away games.
Travel to the national competition comes from fundraising efforts by
the cheerleaders and mascots.
Q:
Would I be able tryout for both squads?
Yes. (i.e. If you choose to tryout for the All-Girl and are not chosen,
you can then request for consideration for the Co-ed.) It is still highly
recommended that you tryout with as many skills as possible so that
you are a great fit to any squad.
Q:
What’s the difference between the two squads, besides the obvious?
Such as, performances, cost etc?
We treat both squads the same. Everyone who is trying out is trying
out for the Texas State Spirit Program not a particular squad even though
we know there are some differences. However, each cheerleader will be
required to attend all practices, raise the same amount of money and
receive the same equipment (i.e. uniform, shoes, etc.). Each squad is
also required to attend the same number of games.
Q:
When and where is Cheer Camp?
We attend the first college UCA camp for the summer held on the campus
of Texas State University, normally around mid-July.
Q:
What type of hours are dedicated to cheerleading each week?
Anywhere from 10 to 15 hours a week. (Three 2-hour practices a week,
two 2-hour strength and conditioning workouts a week plus any games
for the week. Cheerleaders cheer at football, volleyball and basketball
games. Both squads cheer at every football game and rotate cheering
at games at all other games.
Q:
Does the program compete at nationals?
Historically, both squads compete at Universal Cheerleading Association’s
College
National Championships in Orlando, FL in January.
Q:
Is there a height and weight requirement?
No!! We do not maintain a height and weight requirement. We do require
that all potential members maintain the appropriate physique in order
to participate in the required movements.
Q:
If I want to work on my skills for tryouts is there anything I can do?
Yes. Texas State Cheer workout out at a gym called Central
Cheer in San Marcos, TX. Persons looking to improve their skills
can look into working out at this gym.
Q:
How many people normally tryout at Texas State?
Each year is different.
Q: What are you looking for in a Texas State cheerleader?
At Texas State we look for cheerleaders who are well-rounded student-athletes.
We are a university first so we want our cheerleaders to graduate and
achieve in the classroom. Through out the year the program does class
checks and the cheerleaders are encouraged to use the Athletic Academic
Center. Second, we want well mannered, spirit oriented cheerleaders
who represent the university. Third, we want athletes who can compete
and bring championships to Texas State.
If you
have any questions that we did not answer, please send your question
to ek14@txstate.edu.
