Introduction
This statement is intended to inform cheerleaders (parents, relatives, other interested parties and prospective cheerleaders) of various policies (e.g., travel, appearances, alcoholic beverages, drugs/drug testing, and nutrition) of the University of Kentucky cheerleading program. In all policy and program matters, members of the cheer squad shall first be good, law-abiding citizens of the nation, state, and city, and secondly, shall be exemplary representatives of the University of Kentucky. These policies are as follows:
I. PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES
The UK cheerleading program is a student activity. As a student activity, its first and foremost responsibility to the student is to support and not to compromise the student’s academic career. Secondly, the program should aid in developing the student participant into a responsible, mature and independent adult. Specifically, the program is a means of improving the student’s mental and physical well being. Cheerleading is an activity where the student (1) will be provided leadership training; (2) will develop the ability to make decisions; (3) will enhance the ability to respond to life’s situations, e.g., conflict/frustration, control of heat, anger and hate, win/loss, react without too much emotion; (4) will contribute to social development, e.g., awareness of one’s self, development of self-confidence, development of interpersonal relationships; and (5) generally will maximize the opportunity for student growth, change and maturity.
The primary purpose of the cheerleader is to be a member of the team, which has as its goal the support of intercollegiate athletics and the University of Kentucky. That support is directed into three major areas, as follows: (1) to lead the cheers; to raise the level of fan support for intercollegiate athletics; to lead in positive vocal support for the team; to solicit that support from Kentucky fans and to project that support to the University and its teams; (2) to participate in the athletic activity known as cheerleading by performing gymnastics, partner stunts, motions, pyramids, dance movements; to perfect this athletic activity for keeping the crowd attention/direction focused on the field/floor where the intercollegiate activity is taking place, and for entertainment and competitive purposes; and (3) to serve as public relations ambassadors of intercollegiate athletics and the University of Kentucky; to uphold, reflect and project the goals and ideals of the University; to appear at University activities, functions and programs, at charitable and public causes (not commercial/business purposes) to promote intercollegiate athletics and the University.
II. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The University’s cheer program has two squads, the Blue squad and the White squad. The Blue squad members cheer for football and men’s basketball; the White squad members cheer for women’s basketball, and on occasions football. The Blue squad members primarily make up the squad, which competes for the National Championship; however, all members of both squads are eligible to compete, depending on academic standing, athletic ability, and proven performance.
Generally, at least twelve members of the Blue squad are chosen at the spring tryouts, and the coach and advisor add alternate members. The members of the White squad are chosen at a tryout process in the fall. The Cheer Coach and the Advisor choose an unofficial White squad during the summer months; members of the unofficial White squad attend a college cheer camp prior to the first week of classes and experience being on a collegiate cheer squad. Upon return to campus after camp, members of that unofficial squad must tryout with all other eligible students and receive NO credit or special consideration because they were members of the unofficial squad.
Cheerleading at the University of Kentucky is a student activity and subsequently is a part of the Student Affairs Division. The Cheer Coach and the Cheer Advisor report to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. The Cheer Program is budgeted in Athletics and performs primarily at events of the Athletic Association. Then there is an additional reporting relationship to Athletics. Specifically, the Cheer Coach reports to the Special Assistant to the Athletics Director for budget purposes.
III. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The University of Kentucky has a scholarship program for members of its Blue cheerleading squad. Several different scholarships are offered; these scholarships are based on different eligibility requirements.
The Blue squad usually consists of twenty-one members; these members are the squad members who are selected at the spring tryout process, four to eight additional members who are selected by the Coach and Advisor, the Wildcat mascot and, on some occasions, a “Mike-man”. Sixteen members receive a scholarship, which is equivalent to the amount of in-state tuition. This amount does not include any special fees, e.g., health fee, activities fee, etc. The funds for these scholarships come from funds in the President’s office. There are no tuition scholarships for members of the White squad.
The Mr. and Mrs. Ralph McCracken, Jr. Cheerleading Scholarship Endowment ($30, 000) was created in 1981. The accumulated interest on the trust endowment is used to award scholarships to cheerleaders (members of both the Blue and White squads) based solely on academic excellence. Under the endowment agreement, a three-person committee (usually the Cheerleader Advisor, a representative of the Dean of Students Office and the Blue squad Cheerleader Coach) decides an amount and number of scholarships each year. Generally, a scholarship of $200-300 is given to the male and female cheerleader with the highest grade point average; usually all other cheerleaders with a 3.0 grade point average receive $100 each.
The annual interest on a second endowment, the Bill Blount, Jr. Memorial Endowment (approximately $20,000), creates a scholarship which is awarded to the cheerleader who has the greatest financial need. The need is based on records in the Student Financial Aid Office.
Five or six scholarships in varying amounts between $1,000 and $1,500 each are also awarded to cheerleaders. These scholarships are form private funds (individual donors who designate their annual UK contribution to the cheerleading program). The scholarships are awarded by the advisor, upon advice and consideration of the coach, with consideration to recruitment needs financial needs, and payment of out-of-state tuition. In no case will cheerleading scholarships exceed the cost of tuition, room and board at the University of Kentucky.
IV. TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS
A valuable education experience of the University of Kentucky cheerleaders is travel. Annually, the UK squad may travel from the Canadian border to the southern edges of the United States and from the East Coast to the West Coast. Occasionally, the squad members travel to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Europe. In most cases, an Official University chaperone (the cheerleader Advisor, Coach, or a designee) will travel with the squad. Every effort is made for cheerleaders to meet different people and go to different places. Generally, time on away trips is not spent in hotel rooms, but in exploring the town, city or countryside. Cheerleaders are encouraged, but not required, to tour the Biltmore house in Asheville, NC, to walk through the theater district of New York City, to visit Pat O’Brien’s off Bourbon Street in New Orleans, to experience unknown varieties of seafood in Honolulu, to taste raw fish dishes in Tokyo, to visit the Back Bay area of Boston, etc. It is a part of the philosophy of the program that cheerleading “will contribute to social development” of the squad members. Traveling to a variety of places, experiencing the local flavor of city, town or country visited, and meeting an assortment of people is a part of this social development. One who is not interested in travel and the experiences of travel is encouraged not to try out for the squad.
The primary emphasis of this policy focuses on the behavior of cheerleaders when they travel as representatives of the University. At all times, cheerleaders’ behavior shall be exemplary. Behavior which is loud, boisterous, rude, unrestrained, rough, rowdy, offensively harsh or discordant, unruly, etc., shall subject a cheerleader to discipline.
(Further information and rules on travel are contained in Section VI, E., 1-5, this document.)
V. INVOLVEMENT AT FUNCTIONS/EVENTS
In addition to football and basketball games, practices and pep rallies, cheerleaders attend a number of public relations and/or charitable events each year. Cheerleaders do not make business or commercial appearances (as cheerleaders). Cheerleaders who appear at business or commercial events as individuals, not as UK cheerleaders, are required to notify and seek approval of the advisor. Similarly, the Wildcat mascot makes numerous public relations/charitable appearances each year. The Wildcat does not make business or commercial appearances.
All appearances by the cheerleaders and/or the Wildcat mascot shall be approved in advance by the cheerleader advisor. Appearances shall be at places and events, which are considered in good taste.
The cheerleaders shall appear only at events/activities, which will reflect positively on them as individuals, and as representatives of the Athletics Association and the University.
With due consideration to the size of the event, priority for appearances shall be in the following order: UK Athletic Association events/activities, UK Alumni Association and other UK events and activities, charitable events/activities, and public relations events/activities. Cheerleaders shall not make appearances at political events/activities. In committing to an appearance for the cheerleaders, the advisor and/or coach shall give first consideration to the student’s academic career and, in particular, attendance at classes. Other considerations to be weighed include (a) number of activities in that week, (b) the function or contribution of the cheerleaders at the event/activity, (c) the nature of the event/activity, (d) cost and/or travel expenses and distance to the event/activity, and (e) other valid considerations.
VI. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
As stated earlier, cheerleaders are expected, first, to be good, law-abiding citizens of the nations, state, and city. This expectation is foremost when it comes to alcoholic beverages. Cheerleaders are reminded that, as highly visible members of the University community, their actions and behavior are under constant observation. Absolutely while in uniform, but also while not in uniform, UK cheerleaders are known, subject to scrutiny, and can easily be the object of criticism for their behavior or actions, in particular, for indulging or for over-indulging in alcoholic beverages.
While traveling off of the campus to away games or other official functions, it is strongly suggested that cheerleaders (who are 21 or over) neither consume nor possess alcoholic beverages. In most cases the University of Kentucky cheerleaders will be under the age of 21, the legal age to consume alcoholic beverages in virtually all states.
Reality is that, as college students who appear and travel across the state and nation as public relations persons for the University, members of the squad will be exposed to the use of alcoholic beverages. Although attempts will be made to avoid functions where alcoholic beverages are being served, undoubtedly, the cheerleaders will attend some function or activity where alcoholic beverages are present. If a cheerleader has a particular objection to attending an event where alcoholic beverages are present or finds alcoholic beverages particularly offensive, he/she should make that fact known to the cheerleader advisor immediately. Similarly, parents of cheerleaders are encouraged to do the same. The advisor will make every effort to arrange for the cheerleader to be excused from that event/activity. In any case where it is practical and feasible, an alternative form of entertainment will be offered to cheerleader(s) who do not want to be where alcoholic beverages are being served. If a cheerleader finds him/herself in an uncomfortable situation for any reason, but especially because of alcoholic beverages, he/she should inform the advisor as soon as possible.
Members of the squad shall adhere to the following rules:
Cheerleaders shall not possess or drink alcoholic beverages in a University car, van or bus;
Cheerleaders shall not consume alcoholic beverages before or during a game or a practice; and
Cheerleaders shall not offer to procure for or attempt to coerce cheerleaders who are under 21 or who do not want to drink alcoholic beverages into doing the same.
Cheerleaders who violate these rules shall be subject to serious disciplinary measures up to and including immediate dismissal from the squad.
In addition, University officials shall not purchase or furnish alcoholic beverages for cheerleaders at any University event/function.
In summary, cheerleaders are expected to be good citizens and, therefore, carefully and faithfully abide by University rules and regulations and the laws and ordinances of the city or state in which they live or travel.
VII. DRUGS/DRUG TESTING
The University is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for the cheerleading program. Thus, conduct which involves the unlawful possession, use, dispensation, distribution or manufacture of controlled substances by a cheerleader while traveling for the University or at any official cheerleading functions/ activities shall result in termination from the UK cheer program. Similarly, the unlawful possession, use, dispensation, distribution or manufacture of controlled substances by a cheerleader at any other time shall result in appropriate discipline, up to and including termination from the cheer program; any sanction for such a violation outside of cheerleading functions/activities shall be with consideration to the potential embarrassment or bad reflection on the cheer program, UKAA and/or the University. The legal use of prescribed medicines under the direction of a UKAA or personal licensed physician is permitted.
Like all UK athletes, members of the squad are subject to random drug testing. Urine analysis testing is used; urine samples are taken by the UKAA athletic training staff with testing results being analyzed by a certified laboratory. Initial positive drug tests result in counseling; any continued pattern of drug usage or serious drug abuse shall result in dismissal from the squad.
VIII. RULES AND REGULATIONS
A. Tryouts
1. Anyone wishing to try out for cheerleading shall:
a. attend at least one of the clinics taught by senior cheerleaders, and
b. maintain a 2.0 grade point average, and
2. For justifiable reason(s), the cheerleader advisor can make an exception torule A. 1. a. above.
3. Only with special permission of the cheerleader advisor can one try out forcheerleader after he/she has left either the Blue or White squad on aprevious occasion.
4. At least twelve cheerleaders consisting of six females and six males will be chosen at spring tryouts. The Wildcat mascot is chosen at mascot tryouts or is selected by the Coach and the Advisor and for all practicable purposes is considered a member of the thirteen-person squad.
5. There will be additional members of the squad named after tryouts by the advisor and coach, with advice from the members of the squad. The Coach and the Advisor, in selecting additional members of the squad will give consideration to the physical size, general composition of the squad, academic grade point standing, placement in tryouts, etc. Also, a “mike” person may be a member of the squad; the advisor and coach also select this person. Other alternate members of the squad may be named by the advisor and coach in accordance with needs for additional members.
6. One is not eligible for the Blue cheerleader tryouts after he/she has served on the squad as a Blue cheerleader for three years. A year on the White squad does not count as a year for Blue squad eligibility purposes. A year as an additionally selected member on the Blue squad does not count as a year for eligibility purposes. However, an additional member becoming a regular member of the squad may count as one of the three years of eligibility and will be determined by the advisor in accordance with the length of time the additionally selected member served as a regular. One is not eligible for the Blue and White squads after he/she has served as a cheerleader on the squad at another college or university for three years. (Upon careful and thoughtful consideration, the advisor may make an exception to this rule.)
7. The UK Cheerleading program is a highly competitive and time-consuming activity. Persons who have other serious commitments (other than academics) of their time, such as a child, a spouse, a 20 hour or more work week, etc., are strongly encouraged to discuss their commitment with the cheerleading advisor and coach before trying out for the squad. Similarly, persons in academic programs, which have significant time-consuming demands, e.g., architecture, landscape architecture, physical therapy, etc., are encouraged to do the same.
B. General
1. Cheerleaders shall:a. maintain a 2.0 grade point average, andb. be enrolled as a full-time student at UK on the Lexington campus (or at Lexington Community College).
2. For justifiable reason(s), the advisor may make an exception to rule B. 1. b. above.
3. Cheerleaders and the mascot shall not consume alcoholic beverages while in uniform. (See Section IV. Alcoholic Beverages, this document.)
4. Without special permission of the advisor, cheerleaders and the mascot, while in uniform, shall not go into any place where alcoholic beverages are served. Exceptions would be events such as an official appearance at UK Athletics or UK Alumni Association events.
5. If funds are available and the squad attends a collegiate cheerleading camp, every member of the squad shall attend.
6. Each cheerleader shall have a complete physical by a physician prior to attending the college cheerleading camp at the end of the summer.
7. Cheerleaders are expected to work as a team. Individual members of the squad may be close friends. Squad members’ friendship or non-friendship shall not have a negative effect on the team.
8. Each squad member is responsible for all of the clothing, uniforms, and equipment assigned to him/her. Care must be taken to insure such clothing, uniforms, and equipment is in a clean and presentable condition. Each squad member shall safeguard his/her clothing, uniforms, and equipment and shall be, therefore, personally liable for its replacement for loss or damage, excluding normal wear and tear.
9. Other rules concerning cheerleaders may be promulgated verbally or in written form by the advisor. Violation of these additional rules may result in disciplinary action.
10. Violations of any cheerleading rules shall subject the squad member to discipline. The advisor with consultation and advice of the coach always levies final discipline. In most cases, captain(s) (if chosen that year) will be advised/consulted with in relation to a squad member’s discipline.
11. A serious violation of these rules or repeated violations shall result in one’s being suspended from the squad. Less serious violations shall result in one’s loss of the opportunity to travel to away games, or to purchase football or basketball tickets to games. A squad member may be suspended from cheering one or more games due to violations of these rules.
12. These rules and regulations are subject to addition and change when found necessary and beneficial. The advisor makes final acceptance of all rules.
C. Practices.
1. Cheerleaders shall:
a. attend all practices (Regular practices are scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; special practices will be scheduled as needed.),
b. not be tardy or absent from practice,
c. notify advisor, coach, or captain(s) as soon as possible if he/she finds it impossible to attend practice or knows he/she is going to be tardy, and
d. not consume alcoholic beverages before a practice.
D. Games
1. Cheerleaders shall:
a. attend all home football and basketball games, required scrimmages, and/or special scheduled games or activities,
b. arrive at the game site ninety minutes prior to kick off or tip off, unless the advisor, coach, or captains designate an earlier or later time, and
c. not consume alcoholic beverages before a game.
2. A captain or captains may be selected by a vote of the entire squad. In the case in which the mascot is elected captain, a game captain will also be elected.
E. Travel (Also, see Section II. Travel Expectations, this document.)
1. Travel to away games will be in accordance with budget restrictions and in accordance with the Southeastern Conference, the NCAA, and University rules and regulations.
2. The squad or a portion thereof, will travel with a chaperone as a group and return as a group. If a cheerleader chooses to go to or from a game by other transportation, he/she gives up his/her privilege to cheer at the game, except in special cases, which will be determined by the advisor.
3. Final authority of all decisions made while traveling shall rest with the advisor and coach; decisions may be made with the advice and consent of the captains and majority.
4. An itinerary will usually be prepared and given to each cheerleader traveling. The itinerary will include times of departure, arrival, etc., telephone number(s) of hotel(s), appropriate articles of clothing, etc. Squad members shall adhere to the itinerary.
5. When only a specific number of cheerleaders are attending an away game, final authority on who goes rests with the advisor. Consideration as to the selection shall be as follows: (1) determination of who wants to go; (2) fairly even distribution of trips for each squad member; (3) attendance records at practices, games, special events with due consideration to tardiness; (4) input from the squad (vote as to whom the squad thinks would be best to go). Other methods of selection, which could be used, are (1) drawing (2) seniority (3) class or (4) grade point average.
IX. INJURIES/ILLNESSES
Any illness or injury shall be reported to the squad trainer and the advisor or coach immediately.
Any injury suffered during practices, games, or other official functions will be treated by the Athletics Association’s trainer and/or doctor. Initial expenses for such treatment shall be paid by the squad member’s personal insurance up to the amount of the applicable insurance policy.
If an injury or illness incapacitates a squad member, he/she shall not be permitted to practice and cheer for a period of time as determined by the UKAA trainer or a doctor. Generally, another member shall replace an injured/ill member of the squad until he/she is fully recovered. Return to participation at games or practices may be determined by a UKAA trainer or a doctor.
If a UKAA doctor recommends that a squad member no longer cheer, due to injury or a health problem, the squad member shall be removed from the squad. If chronic illness or injury causes a squad member to miss games or practices repeatedly, the squad member may be removed from the squad by the advisor.
More complete information on injury/illness is available in the UKAA publication, “Student-Athlete Medical Policy & Procedure Handbook,” which is the official publication on injury and illness and which takes precedent over this policy.
X. HEALTH, LIFE-STYLE AND NUTRITION
Introduction
The UK cheerleading program is committed to promoting and fostering healthy lifestyles and eating habits for squad members. Conduct which opposes this philosophy and/or conduct which poses unacceptable risk and disregard for the health, safety and welfare of participants is violative of this policy and will result in appropriate counseling and/or disciplinary action up to and including termination form the squad.
Cheerleaders at the University of Kentucky must be excellent athletes. Cheerleading involves some aspects of several athletic activities, e.g., rotation and tumbling of gymnastics, stamina of basketball, strength of body building or football, balance and movement of dance, etc. The UK cheer program is highly regarded and, by most standards, is one of the elite cheer programs in the nation. Therefore, the standards of the UK program are the standards of a top program, not the average cheer program.
A primary activity of the UK cheerleaders is the partner stunt (double stunt). Pyramids are partner stunts combined vertically (in levels, not to exceed two-and-a-half human heights) and horizontally (side-by-side partner stunts). The nature of these activities demands certain general physical requirements of the UK cheerleader. The male squad member must have sufficient strength to base pyramids and to life, hold, throw and catch females safely. Female squad members must be of appropriate size and weight such that they can be lifted, held, thrown and caught safely. For safety and performance reasons, females generally should be under a height of five foot seven inches and under a weight of one hundred twenty pounds. Body composition varies from individual to individual, but these measurements are thought to be ideal in relation to safety. It is thought that the risk of injury rises substantially with the female who is over five foot seven and/or over one hundred twenty pounds. In addition, persons of less than average size, particularly females, are more likely to demonstrate the flexibility (quick change of direction, flight in basket-tosses, etc.) which is necessary in the athletic aspects of cheerleading.
Education
Education is the key to promotion of healthy lifestyles and preventing eating disorders. UK cheerleading advisors, coaches, trainers, and squad members (to include mascots) will receive written materials and oral instruction on healthy eating.
The educational unit of the UK Cheer Program on promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing eating disorders will annually include at least the following:
1. Distribution for reading the materials contained in the document, “Nutrition for Cheerleaders,” by Kathy Engelhart-Fenton, Director of the University of Utah Nutrition Center;
2. A lecture/meeting with a nutritionist, usually by a professor of nutrition, as arranged by the UKAA training staff;
3. Teaching of advisors, coaches, and trainers to recognize eating disorders, to know what treatment options are available and to be familiar with UKAA policy and procedures for handling eating disorders;
4. Annual observing of NCAA produced video, “Eating Disorders Project, Parts I and II”; and
5. Annual lecture for female members of the program by a physician who specializes in gynecology.
Program Requirements
All squad members shall be required to lift weights. The Head Strength Coach or the Assistant Strength Coach in consultation with the Cheer Coach will design specific weight programs. A designated time period each day will be available for cheerleader’s weight lifting at an appropriate UKAA Athletic Training Center(s).
