Penn State Cheerleading picks its team through a recruiting process followed by invitation-only spring tryouts. You start by filling out the program’s Recruitment Form and sending a short highlight video, and only candidates who meet the minimum skill standards are invited to try out. This guide follows the “Recruiting & Tryouts” section of the official Penn State Cheerleading page.
Where the cycle stands (September 30, 2026): Penn State says applications open as early as August 1, so the process for the 2027-28 team is already open. It doesn’t post an exact tryout date; it says tryouts are typically in the first weeks of April, with invitations sent between late January and early February.
How to Get a Tryout Invitation
- Fill out the Recruitment Form. The Recruitment Form gives the coaches your information and adds you to the email list for updates.
- Send a two-minute highlight video that includes:
- your two most elite stunting skills
- your most elite running tumbling pass
- your most elite standing tumbling pass
- any fight song, cheer or dance, so coaches can review your motion technique
- a 30-second bio about yourself
- Email your Penn State acceptance letter to the coaching staff. The next recruiting steps can’t happen until the coaches have it, so Penn State says the earlier you apply, the better.
Minimum Skills for an Invitation
- Standing tumbling: a standing tuck at minimum; preferred, a pass ending in a full.
- Running tumbling: a running tuck at minimum; preferred, a pass ending in a full.
- Stunting: basic knowledge of both twisting skills and flipping inversions.
You also need your Recruitment Form and acceptance letter in. Penn State doesn’t publish a GPA minimum, fee or tryout-day schedule; ask the coaches if you need those details.
Early Signings
Each year Penn State invites two to five “key individuals” to join the program and signs them before tryouts are announced. These athletes must go beyond the standard requirements above. Even after signing, they’re strongly encouraged to attend tryouts.
Clinics for Prospective Cheerleaders
Penn State runs Elite Day Camps for grades 6 and up, in separate Coed Skills and All-Girl Skills sessions. Each camp covers stunting, the Penn State fight song and game-day situations, and includes a discussion of college tryouts and what it takes to make the Penn State team. Dates for the 2026-27 season:
- October 25, 2026, noon–4:30 p.m., White Building
- November 8, 2026, noon–4:30 p.m., Multi-Sport Facility
- January 23, 2027, 1–5:30 p.m., Multi-Sport Facility
- February 13, 2027, 1–5:30 p.m., Multi-Sport Facility
Each camp costs $150 and is a day camp only, with no housing or meals. Coed sessions are limited to 30 participants and all-girl sessions to 50. All-girl stunt groups of four and individuals are welcome.
About the Program
Penn State Cheerleading competes at the UCA College National Championship and listed the January 16–18, 2026 event on its calendar. Under head coach Curtis White, Penn State says its squads have won two national championships, and the 2023 team placed in the top 10 at the College Cheerleading National Championship.
Coaches and Contact
- Curtis White, Spirit Coordinator and Head Cheer Coach, is a Penn State cheer alum who also oversees the dance and mascot programs. Email: clw109@psu.edu.
- Daryl Green, Assistant Coach since fall 2022, is a former University of Kansas cheerleader and UCA instructor. Email: djg6327@psu.edu.
Penn State asks recruits to email their acceptance letters to the cheer staff, including Assistant Coach Daryl Green at djg6327@psu.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are Penn State cheer tryouts?
Every spring, typically in the first weeks of April. Tryouts are invitation only, and invitations go out between late January and early February.
What tumbling do I need?
At least a standing tuck and a running tuck. Penn State prefers standing and running passes that end in a full.
Do I need to be accepted to Penn State first?
Yes. The recruiting process can’t move forward until the coaches have your acceptance letter.
Can I be signed without trying out?
Each year Penn State signs two to five athletes who exceed its standards before tryouts are announced.
Related Resources
- Ohio State University Cheerleading Tryout Guide
- University of Maryland Cheerleading Tryout Guide
- How to Do a Standing Back Tuck
- How to Film a Cheer Tryout Video
- Big Ten Cheer Tryout Guides
- College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory
Sources: Penn State Athletics, Penn State Cheerleading, Cheer Camps, Curtis White bio and Daryl Green bio. Last checked September 30, 2026.
