James Madison University’s spirit program has three teams: All-Girl, Co-Ed and the Duke Dog mascot team. JMU describes cheerleading as a program that “operates under JMU Athletics and is a scholarship-funded program.” All teams cheer at home football, basketball and volleyball games; a select group travels to away football games and the Sun Belt Conference Basketball Championships, and a competition squad is chosen each year for UCA College Nationals in January. This guide follows JMU Athletics’ official JMU Cheerleading Tryout Information page.

Where the cycle stands (September 30, 2026): tryouts for the 2026-27 season are complete, and JMU says to check back later for future tryout information. The details below are from the 2026-27 cycle. JMU also has a new head coach: Troy Allen was hired on July 7, 2026.

Team Sizes

• Co-Ed: up to 20 members.
• All-Girl: up to 20 members.

How the 2026-27 Tryout Worked

Tryouts were held in person on Friday, April 17 and Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Godwin Hall’s Sinclair Gym B.

1. Friday: check-in at 4 p.m., then a mandatory open gym from 5 to 8 p.m., including a standing tuck check on a hard surface.
2. Sunday: check-in from 8 to 9 a.m., then a mandatory full evaluation from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. covering tumbling, stunting and the Fight Song.

JMU evaluates game day and elite stunting, standing and running tumbling, sideline motions and the JMU Fight Song. Candidates show their best level at each station and are coached through new skills to test coachability. The coaches also look at crowd-leading ability, physical fitness, game day appearance and personal character.

Minimum Skills (2026-27)

• Tumbling: a standing tuck and running tumbling to a tuck. All tumbling must be done on turf, hardwood or a non-spring floor.
• All-Girl evaluation: full up, back handspring and heel stretch.
• Co-Ed evaluation: chair full-off, and toss and walk-in extension.
• Game day evaluation: Fight Song and game day appearance.

Pre-Registration and What to Bring

Before tryouts, JMU required:

• A completed online pre-registration form.
• An electronic copy of a physical completed within the last 12 months. JMU provides a tryout physical form if you need one.
• An electronic copy of the front and back of your insurance card.

At tryouts, you turned in a packet with a current headshot, two references (for non-current members), a copy of your JMU Letter of Acceptance or JMU JACard, and the completed Tryout Agreement form. Every candidate must show or submit a JMU acceptance letter before tryouts.

• Wear: black shorts, a purple T-shirt and cheer shoes; women also wear a white ribbon.
• Bring: a water bottle, snacks or lunch, and any personal tape or braces.

Academic Requirements

JMU cheerleaders must keep good academic and behavioral standing, a GPA of at least 2.0, and full-time enrollment (at least 12 credit hours). New student-athletes, and returning athletes below a 3.0 GPA, have monitored weekly study hours. Cheerleaders schedule classes around team practice times and attend weekly workouts and required athletics events.

College Prep Clinics

JMU runs College Prep Clinics for 9th-12th graders and current college students who want to join the program, led by JMU cheerleaders and coaches. For fall 2026 JMU lists five clinics in Godwin Hall: September 19 and October 4 (already held), November 7, November 21 and December 5. Each runs 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (check-in 9:30 a.m.) and costs $75 ($81 with fees), paid online; bring a signed liability waiver and medical release. Register through the College Prep Clinics page.

Coaching Staff and Contact

Troy Allen is head coach of JMU cheerleading and spirit squads. He joined JMU in July 2026 after the 2025-26 season as head coach of the UConn spirit program, and has coached at Long Island and Ole Miss. Email him at gn2rn2@jmu.edu. The program’s general address is cheer@jmu.edu, and JMU Cheerleading is @JMUCheerleading on social media.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are JMU cheer tryouts?

For 2026-27 they were held April 17 and 19, 2026. JMU hasn’t posted dates for the next cycle yet.

What tumbling do I need for JMU cheer?

For 2026-27 the minimum was a standing tuck and running tumbling to a tuck, performed on a non-spring surface.

Do I need to be admitted to JMU before trying out?

Yes. You must show or submit a JMU acceptance letter (or your JACard) before tryouts.

Does JMU cheer compete?

Yes. A competition squad is selected each year to compete at UCA College Nationals in January.

Related Resources

• Old Dominion University Cheerleading Tryout Guide
• Virginia Tech Cheerleading Tryout Guide
• University of Virginia Cheerleading Tryout Guide
• How to Do a Standing Back Tuck
• College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory

Sources: JMU Athletics, JMU Cheerleading Tryout Information, About the Cheer Program, 2026 College Prep Clinics and 2026-27 Cheerleading Coaches. Last checked September 30, 2026.