College cheerleading is different than any other collegiate sports team. It's like we do what all the other athletes do and then some. We are the backbone of the campus and help encourage excitement, school spirit, and unity. No, we don't just jump up and down, wave our pom-poms, yell really loud and wear a cute uniform. We practice four to five days a week and work out two or more days a week, we use our body strength to put other people in the air, we learn to work together as a team and as stunt groups to make something hit and our season is the entire year, not just a few months. So before you judge us college cheerleaders, here is the low down.
1. Hell week
That week before cheer camp when you have to practice 2 times a day totaling anywhere from 4-6 hours a day for a week or more. You run through the fight song at least 1,000 times and even though you can do it in your sleep, Coach tells you to do it again. Oh and don't forget about the pyramids... Nothing like standing on someones shoulders and then having someone else stand on you or sit on your shoulders. It's called hell week for a reason.
2. UCA college cheer camp
Nothing like college cheer camp at the University of Alabama. Yeah there's no need to be nervous... it's not like more than half of the SEC cheer teams and other extremely talented D1 and D2 universities are here too. Don't forget to pack comfortable shoes to walk in... that walk from Tutwiler to the indoor practice facility then to the cafeteria 3 times a day is something serious. Just when you think the day is over, because according to the schedule it is, coach decides everyone needs to practice Game Day material for an hour. Nothing like going to bed past midnight and waking up at 5:30a.m. for another full day of cheering, but if you're lucky you can squeeze in a 10 minute nap somewhere during the day. At least it's all worth it on the last day, competition day, when all the hard work pays off and you bring home a couple of trophies! Oh, and the beautiful male cheerleaders help a little too...
3. What is free time?
Being a cheerleader, or college athlete in general, is very time consuming. Most likely the answer to any question regarding plans outside of class is "I can't... I have practice." Here are a few examples:
"Hey what are you doing after class this afternoon?" "Oh I have practice..."
"Hey I need to go shopping Saturday... you should come with me!" "I can't we have practice this weekend."
Not to mention my personal favorite: "Your practice got cancelled right? We should go do something!" "Nah I'm gonna make the most of my time off..."
4. What is sleeping in?
Forget about sleeping in because those 5:45a.m. workouts ruined that. So to anyone who complains about having class at 8:00 or 9:30 class, we do not wanna hear it because we have been up since 5:30, ran a mile or more, lifted weights, and conditioned before 7:00. I guess we will be in shape though, right?
5. The athletic trainers become your best friends
They are at every practice, game, open gym, clinic and whatever else we participate in. We see them almost every day of the week and after the fourth ankle tape it's past small talk conversations. If you have an injury, which you most likely will, they are there to save the day! You need therapy after an injury? Go ahead and get ready to spend a lot of time together that will consist of exercises and telling life stories. Athletic trainers are the coolest because they will listen to all your problems (and not tell), be your shoulder to cry on when things get tough or you get hurt and be your number one supporter and biggest fan when they see you succeed.
6. When you put on your uniform for the first time
No longer do you have to wear a uniform with high school letters on them. Now you have a college cheerleading uniform. It's okay to look at yourself for five minutes in the mirror from all different angles. Embrace the moment of putting on a new uniform and looking good in it.
7. No more basic pyramids
Prepare yourself for your knowledge of pyramids to be expanded. Time to learn a 1-1-1, 2-2-1, Swedish falls, shoulder sit 1-1-1. The list goes on. There really is no way to prepare yourself. Girls and guys, you just have to jump right it. Bases: your shoulders are gonna be bruised and you'll have shoes hickey's on your neck, but you are the foundation of the pyramid, literally, and you are appreciated. Middle layers: hold your ground (on your bases shoulders) and hold on to your top girl. You know you look like a beast getting to hold her in the air while you stand on top of someone. Top girls-: stay tight and look pretty. You are the cherry on top of a beautiful ice cream cone. No worries if the pyramid falls, which it will, again and again and again. Although it gets tiring and frustrating, there is no better feeling than when it finally hits. *And the crowd goes wild*
8. The first collegiate game
Nothing is more nerve-racking than cheering at your first collegiate game. You have practiced more than enough, you know your cheers and you hit all your stunts warming up, but nothing will make the butterflies and nerves go away. You see your friends, classmates and fellow Greeks sitting in the bleachers and you pray you don't mess up and embarrass yourself. The real pressure, though, is from Coach who, of course, strives for perfection, sharp motions, solid hits and smiles on lips. Maybe social embarrassment isn't so bad compared to a suicide for every error. Before game time you take one last look in the mirror, take a deep breath and convince yourself you're going to make it through.
9. The last game
No longer do you feel nervous because you have now cheered at too many games to count. So instead of nerves end excitement, you feel quite different emotions: exhaustion, sadness and relief. After a long season all the hard work has paid off and the team and each individual looks way better. You find relief in knowing you get somewhat of a break for a month or so and can actually relax physically, emotionally and mentally. Sadness is definitely one of the most felt emotions because as the season has ended, so has your time with seniors you've cheered along side of and cheered for. By this time we are more than just athletes who go to the same university. We are a family. This game is one of the most important games to everyone. Each player and cheerleader gives their 100 percent the duration of the game and encourages each other more than ever.
College cheerleading is quite an experience. No one will ever understand how hard we really work, how many times we fall or get hit during practice, feel the excitement of learning to work together to make a routine, stunt and pyramid finally hit, or truly agree this is a sport unless they experience it for themselves.
After my first year of cheering at the collegiate level I can honestly say it has been one of the best and most difficult experiences of my life. The blood, sweat, tears and injuries sucked while going through it, but made it completely worth it when I realized how much this sport has aided in my growth as a person and as an athlete.
Good luck to all you rookies who are soon to start your first year of cheerleading at the collegiate level! I can't promise it will be easy, but I can promise you will be so glad you did it.
