Vandal Spirit Squad

Sophomore/junior year of high school:
Potential candidates reach out to coaching staff expressing interest in the Vandal Spirit Squad. Attending recruitment clinics is strongly recommended.

Summer-fall of senior year:
Complete the Recruitment Form and secure requirements. Attending the recruitment clinic is strongly advised as all material needed for recruitment videos will be taught.

Fall-winter of senior year:
 Apply to University of Idaho. April 1 recruitment form and videos are due. Participants will receive an email on status of moving to final round at the end of April.

If you are selected for our program, you will be expected to pay our membership fee of $650 and attend our mandatory summer practices July 15-31, 2026.

• Make a tryout payment of $50
• Complete Vandal Cheer Recruitment Form
• Submit tryout video via YouTube Link

Video requirements:

Introduction

• Brief introduction about yourself
• Why do you want to attend University of Idaho?
• What is your intended major(s)?
• Why do you want to be a part of our program?

Skill requirements:

Women

• Tumbling:
  • Standing back handspring
  • Preferred — standing back handspring series.
  • Preferred — standing tuck or back handspring tuck
  • Round off back handspring tuck or higher
• Band Dance: U of I Fight Song
• Chant: Choose your own chant to perform and please use U of I's mascot and school colors.

Men

• Tumbling:
  • Preferred — standing back handspring or back tuck.
• Chant: Choose your own chant to perform and please use U of I's mascot and school colors.

Stunting requirements for the team can reflect coed stunts and/or group stunts.

• Stunting/Group Stunting
  • Extended lib variations (heel stretch, arabesque, etc.)
  • Full ups
  • Switch ups
  • Inversions
  • Full downs
• Partner Stunting
  • Toss hands
  • Preferred — Toss hands press extension
  • Preferred — Toss hands press lib

Those trying out should showcase sharp sideline motions and light up the room when they perform. The coaching staff recommends watching recorded performances of the Vandal Cheer Team via YouTube or social media channels to get an idea of their sideline style.

General video notes:

• Videos do not need to be professionally edited
• Consider lighting and angles so you are easily evaluated

Women attire:

• Black spandex and black sports bra
• Hair down for introductions
• Hair pulled back for technique evaluations
• Full game day make-up

Men attire:

• Black shorts and black shirt
• Well-groomed hair and shaven face

Questions? Email the coaching staff at idahospirit@uidaho.edu.

Sophomore/junior year of high school:
Potential candidates reach out to coaching staff expressing interest in the Vandal Spirit Squad. Attending recruitment clinics is strongly recommended.

Summer-fall of senior year:
Complete the Recruitment Form and secure requirements. Attending the recruitment clinic is strongly advised as all material needed for recruitment videos will be taught.

Fall-winter of senior year:
Apply to University of Idaho. April 1 recruitment form and videos are due. Participants will receive an email on status of moving to final round at the end of April.

If you are selected for our program, you will be expected to pay our membership fee of $650 and attend our mandatory summer practices July 15-31, 2026.

• Make a tryout payment of $50
• Complete Vandal Gems Recruitment form
• Submit your skills video via a YouTube link in the recruitment form above. A list of required skills can be found below.

Video requirements:

Introduction

We are following the NDCA Common Application for our recruitment process.

Introduction: Please keep responses to 30 seconds per question, with a total maximum duration of 3 minutes.

• Name
• Age
• Hometown
• Studio/team
• Brief dance background

Answer the following questions:

• Why do you want to be on a college dance team?
• Why do you think would be a good candidate for a college dance team?
• What is your intended major?

Skill demonstration filming requirements — Film continuously in one take: Dancer may repeat the skill, if necessary, a maximum of two attempts. Videos do not need to be professionally edited. Athlete should be well lit. Full body should be visible in the frame. Consider filming straight on for the best angle.

Female attire: Black sports bra or tank top and black shorts

Male attire: All black

Turns:

• Triple (3) Parallel Pirouette (Right)
• Quadruple (4) Parallel Pirouette (Right)
• Quintuple (5) Parallel Pirouette (Right)
• Triple (3) Parallel Pirouette (Left)
• A la seconde turn combination (showcasing a la seconde turns, changing spots, floats, variation in pom and leg position, speed, pirouette and other technical elements) — minimum 3 counts of 8 in length.

Jumps/leaps:

• Right open second leap
• Right calypso or Turning Jete Attitude
• Switch leaps — minimum 2 (any variation — regular switch leap, switch tilt, switch arabesque, switch open, either side)
• Single toe touch
• Double toe touch

Flexibility:

• Side tilt
• Penche
• Leg turn (any variety)

Acro:

• Walkover (front or back)
• Side aerial (right and left)

Skill demonstration: Optional elements — three minute maximum for showcasing skills:

• Front aerial
• Standing back tuck
• Back Handspring
• Headspring
• Kip up
• Rubberband
• Scorpion
• Advanced technical elements or specialty skills of choice

Style Combinations: Three (3) 45-second combination demonstrating different styles: Jazz, Pom and Hip Hop.

Optional Solo Entry: One (1) solo performance of any style with a three-minute maximum of routine. Can be filmed in studio or submitted from a competition (needs to be from within 6 months of submission)

Questions? Email the head coach at kdoman@uidaho.edu.

Recruitment video deadlines and priority consideration for incoming and current students:

• Early Submission Deadline: Sept. 1, 2025
• Standard Submission Deadline: Jan. 1, 2026
• Late Submission Deadline: April 1, 2026

Note: Late submissions (received by April 1, 2026) will only be considered after all early and standard submissions have been reviewed.

Priority review

• Videos submitted by the early deadline will receive highest priority.
• Submissions by the standard deadline will receive secondary consideration.
• Late submissions will be reviewed with lowest priority, based on available space and program needs.

9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 22-23, 2025
Student Recreation Center
U of I Moscow campus

Cost: $75

Saturday, Nov. 22: Get a ticket to the game for the participant to watch the Vandals take on the Idaho State University Bengals. Tickets will be left at will call outside the west side of the Kibbie Dome.

Sunday, Nov. 23: This is a fun and energetic opportunity for high school and college students to learn game day material, stunt, dance and connect with current team members. Whether you're interested in cheer or dance, this clinic is a great way to experience what it’s like to be part of the Idaho Spirit Squad. Come show your skills, ask questions, and see if the squad is right for you!

Register online for the Vandal Spirit Squad Recruitment Weekend.

Register before Nov. 1, 2025, to receive a t-shirt. Registration closes Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.