UCLA’s cheerleaders are the UCLA Cheer Squad, part of the UCLA Spirit Squad with the Dance Team and the mascots, Joe and Josie Bruin. The squad supports UCLA Athletics, mainly football and men’s and women’s basketball, which have played in the Big Ten Conference since August 2, 2024. It isn’t a competition team: UCLA says the Spirit Squad “does not currently compete.” Auditions are run by the Spirit Squad itself, and this guide follows its official Join the Squad page.
Where the cycle stands (September 29, 2026): auditions for the 2026-27 squad took place on May 17, 2026. UCLA says 2027 Prep Clinic dates will be posted in the fall; they hadn’t been posted as of September 29, 2026. For reference, the 2026 Prep Clinics were on Sunday, January 25 and Sunday, April 12 at the John Wooden Center.
Who Can Audition
- Admission: proof of admission to UCLA, or be a current UCLA student. All full-time undergraduate and graduate students are welcome.
- GPA: current UCLA students need a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and can’t be on disciplinary probation.
- Insurance: health/hospitalization insurance comparable to the minimum coverage of UCLA’s student insurance plan.
- Fitness: enough physical fitness, strength and athletic skill for the activities below.
You don’t need an invitation to audition. There’s no height or weight requirement. No physical is needed to audition; if you’re chosen, you’ll need one completed by late July. Returning members must audition again each year.
Recommended Skills
The Cheer Squad usually has about 20 members, men and women, who perform coed/partner and all-girl/group stunts, pyramids, baskets and tumbling. UCLA “highly recommends” these skills:
- Men: standing back tuck; toss chair and toss hands with a pop-off dismount.
- Women (tops): standing back tuck; a running pass to a tuck, layout or full; able to fly collegiate-level stunts.
- Women (bases): standing back tuck; a running pass to a tuck, layout or full; able to base collegiate-level stunts.
Women who can stunt in more than one position are preferred.
What Happens at Clinics and on Audition Day
UCLA encourages candidates to attend the prep clinics. At a clinic you practice stunting and tumbling and learn the Fight Song choreography. Squad choreography is also on the UCLA Spirit Squad YouTube channel, and audition material is provided before tryouts.
On audition day:
- Material: everyone performs the UCLA Fight Song; women also perform a sideline filler routine.
- Stunts: men are evaluated on coed/partner stunting; women on coed/partner and/or all-girl/group stunting, depending on position.
- Tumbling: a chance to show standing and running tumbling.
- Game day simulation: you may be asked to run game situations in groups, such as the Fight Song, the sideline filler, time-outs, quarter changes, free stunting and tuck roll-offs.
- Interview: a personal statement of 45 seconds or less, then a group interview with up to three questions.
Auditions are closed to the public. If you can’t travel to campus, UCLA accepts video auditions, though it recommends attending in person if you can.
What to Wear
- Women: sports bra, spandex shorts, and white athletic shoes suitable for stunting, with laces tucked in. Hair down and out of your face (no ponytails), and stage-ready makeup. No bows or ribbons, no jewelry or piercings, and tattoos covered.
- Men: blue or black shorts, a clean T-shirt, small ankle socks and white athletic shoes, laces tucked in (shoes come off for the tumbling portion). A short, clean haircut. No jewelry or piercings, and tattoos covered.
How Many Try Out
UCLA says numbers vary, but on average 10–20 men and 20–40 women audition for the Cheer Squad each year.
Time Commitment
- Spring: practice two to three nights a week, starting right after auditions.
- Summer: July off, then a required Skills Training Camp in August.
- From fall quarter: practice two to three days a week, plus two individual workouts of your own each week.
- Performances: all home and select away football and men’s and women’s basketball games, plus campus, alumni, media and community events.
Benefits
- Nike gear: warm-ups, workout gear, shoes, duffel bags and backpacks.
- Strength training and career programming.
- Travel to away Big Ten football games, bowl games and postseason basketball tournaments.
- Complimentary tickets to home football, basketball and Olympic sports.
Scholarships are limited, and UCLA doesn’t offer out-of-state tuition waivers for the Spirit Squad.
Coaches and Contact
Conner Huber is the Cheer Squad head coach, and Perla Quezada is the assistant coach. Angela Scales has directed the UCLA Spirit Squad since December 2018. For questions, or for one-on-one feedback on squad choreography, email spiritsquad@ucla.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What GPA do I need for UCLA cheer?
Current UCLA students need a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Do I need a physical to try out?
No. A physical is required only if you make the squad, by late July.
Does UCLA cheer compete at nationals?
No. UCLA says the Spirit Squad does not currently compete.
Can I audition by video?
Yes, if you can’t travel to campus. UCLA recommends attending in person if possible.
When are the next auditions?
The 2026-27 auditions were held May 17, 2026. UCLA hasn’t posted 2027 dates yet; Prep Clinic dates are due in the fall.
Related Resources
- How to Do a Standing Back Tuck
- How to Be a Better Cheerleading Flyer
- How to Base in Cheerleading
- Big Ten Cheer Tryout Guides
- College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory
Sources: UCLA Spirit Squad, Join the Squad and Meet the Squad; UCLA Newsroom, UCLA officially joins the Big Ten Conference (2024). Last checked September 29, 2026.
