Florida International University’s cheerleaders are part of the FIU Spirit Program, along with the FIU Dazzlers dance team. The squad cheers at FIU football games and men’s and women’s home basketball games, and FIU competes in Conference USA. FIU doesn’t hold a traditional spring tryout with a clinic. Its most recent tryout was a fall video tryout with an in-person callback, posted on the official FIU Cheer page.
Where the cycle stands (October 1, 2026): the fall 2026 tryout is over. Results were posted August 31, 2026, and the team’s first official practice was September 7. FIU hasn’t posted dates for its next tryout yet. The details below come from the 2026 process; check the official page before you plan around them.
Who Can Try Out
- Enrollment: you must be registered for both the fall 2026 and spring 2027 semesters. Undergraduates need full-time status (at least 12 credits), graduate students need at least 9 credits, and STEP Program students are also eligible.
- No spring admits: students accepted for the spring 2027 semester couldn’t try out. FIU recommends that they keep training and try out the following season.
- GPA: you must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.
- Experience: FIU says it looks at both experienced and newer cheerleaders, with the focus on athletes who are eager to grow.
How the Fall 2026 Tryout Worked
Applicants had to be available for every date before registering:
- August 14–21, 2026: video submission window (closed 11:59 p.m. on August 21).
- By August 23: in-person callback invitations sent.
- August 26, 6–8 p.m.: in-person callback tryout at OBCC 280B.
- August 31: final results posted.
- September 2: athletic clearance; September 7: first official practice.
Applicants filled out the tryout registration form, uploaded one compilation video (not several separate videos) and emailed these documents in one file to FIUCheer@fiu.edu:
- A current headshot in your day-one outfit (not a selfie)
- Your fall 2026 class schedule
- A copy of the front and back of your medical insurance card
- A recommendation letter from a coach, teacher, administrator or manager
- A receipt for the $35 tryout fee, paid online
What Goes in the Video
- Introduction: who you are as a person and an athlete, and why you want to be an FIU cheerleader.
- Fight song: FIU’s current fight song. FIU notes it has changed slightly in recent years and posts a men’s and women’s tutorial.
- Stunting: general technique in your position (back spot, main base, side base and/or flyer), plus any variation of a twisting, inversion or release skill. Partner stunters can also show toss variations or a toss full up, or harder. If you can’t get a group together, you can use clips from 2025-26 team performances.
- Jumps: one single jump and one double jump combination (toe touches, right or left front hurdlers, or pikes). If you can do it safely, add a standing back handspring or back tuck out of your single jump.
- Tumbling: your hardest standing pass and your hardest running pass. FIU tumbles mainly on turf or grass, non-spring mats and basketball courts, so it prefers to see skills on one of those surfaces.
What to Wear
- Women: athletic shorts and a fitted tank or T-shirt with no all-star or previous school logos, a slicked mid or high ponytail with a bow or ribbon, game-day makeup and cheer sneakers.
- Men: athletic shorts and a tank top or T-shirt with no all-star or previous school logos, and cheer or athletic sneakers. Well groomed and clean shaven.
- Everyone: no jewelry (piercings must be removed, not covered with bandages) and tattoos covered.
The Commitment and Benefits
The team practices Mondays and Wednesdays, 6–8 p.m., with extra practices around events and limited travel during holidays. Its events include community appearances, FIU football games, men’s and women’s home basketball games, the C-USA tournament in Huntsville, Alabama, and NCA College Nationals in Daytona, Fla. FIU lists these team benefits: a book scholarship that includes class materials, athletic priority registration, team travel, access to athletic trainers and medical staff, Adidas team apparel and local business collaborations.
Coaches and Contact
The FIU Athletics staff directory lists Coral Buxeda as head cheerleading coach, Sima Ramirez as assistant cheerleading coach and Karina Saud-Laureano as spirit program coordinator. For tryout questions, email FIUCheer@fiu.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are FIU cheer tryouts?
The most recent tryout was in August 2026, before the fall semester. FIU hadn’t posted its next tryout dates as of October 1, 2026.
Can I try out by video?
Yes. In 2026 every applicant started with a video, and selected athletes were invited to an in-person callback.
Is there a GPA requirement?
Yes. Cheerleaders must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.
Can I try out if I start at FIU in the spring?
No. For the 2026 tryout, students admitted for spring 2027 weren’t eligible.
Does FIU offer cheer scholarships?
FIU lists a book scholarship, including class materials, among team benefits. It doesn’t post other scholarship amounts.
Related Resources
- How to Film a Cheer Tryout Video
- University of Miami Cheerleading Tryout Guide
- Florida Atlantic University Cheerleading Tryout Guide
- College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory
Sources: FIU Athletics, Cheer (Fall Video Tryout), Dazzlers and the Staff Directory. Last checked October 1, 2026.
