Shout Out for UO Cheerleading Squad
By current UO student Lisa Feldhusen
When recalling Oregon student-athletes, images of the football team, men's and women's basketball players or track stars may come to mind first. However, a special shout is in order for the student-athletes on campus who have made it their job to shout, tumble, and dance on behalf of other student-athletes. The Oregon cheerleading squad can be counted on again this year to lead crowds as they cheer for their favorite Oregon team. However, the intense squad try-out and team requirements clearly indicate that the men and women of the Oregon cheerleading squad are equally dedicated and passionate about their sport as the teams are that they cheer on.
Head Coach, Laraine Raish, best explains the cheerleaders’ purpose at a game. “We are there to entertain,” she says in a 2007 Flux article. “We are there to create positive spirit in any way that we can. Cheerleaders are crowd leaders, and that’s what I am really hoping to carry on. If we are responsible for one point in our favor, then we’ve done our job.” Raish has been with squad for more than 14 years creating a program that is focused on crowd leadership, performance and stellar routines.
Roughly a hundred young men and women tried out for the 43 spots available on Oregon's squad this past April. The Oregon squad is composed of 14 stunt couples (men and women), and 15 women perform on the dance squad. A traveling squad made up of 15 dancers and stunt couples is selected to represent UO at away games. Many of the cheerleaders are from the Eugene, Springfield, and Portland areas, but women from all over the nation compete for the coveted positions each year.
Making the team is both an honor and an intense commitment for these young men and women. The entire squad is expected to attend all home football games. (There are seven home games for the 2009 season.) Cheerleaders are also selected to cheer at volleyball matches and men's and women's basketball games. Cheerleaders are required to attend practices almost every night of the week and frequent weight training and tumbling sessions. Cheerleaders are also expected to fundraise, make promotional appearances, and participate in local community service projects.
Although cheering for UO is a lot of work, there are also several incentives that motivate men and women from across the nation to try out for the team. Cheerleaders can utilize Services for Student-Athlete, meaning they have access to study tables, computers and tutors. Another perk is that they receive two tickets per game or match for family members. Select cheerleaders are awarded scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,500 per year.
The 2009-10 UO Cheerleading squad was announced on April 27 following an intense weekend of tryouts and the team roster can be found at http://cheer.uoregon.edu/index.html.
Go Ducks!