Georgia State’s cheerleaders are part of the Panthers’ spirit program, which also includes the Pantherettes dance team and Pounce, the mascot. Georgia State publishes very little about cheer tryouts. As of September 29, 2026, its athletics site had no tryout dates for 2026-27 or 2027-28. The most recent tryout announcement is from spring 2023. This guide sums up what that announcement said and who to contact now.

The Program Today

• New head coach. In July 2026, Georgia State hired Madison Murphy as head spirit coach. She oversees the whole spirit program, including gameday performances, team development and recruiting. Murphy spent five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders.
• Recent coaching changes. Murphy follows Nicole DeSantis, who was named head coach of cheer and the Pantherettes in August 2025. Before that, Brittiney Wall coached from 2022. Expect the tryout process to change under new coaches.
• Conference. Georgia State plays in the Sun Belt.

The Last Posted Tryout (2023-24 Season)

For reference only, here’s what Georgia State announced for its April 29, 2023 spirit tryouts. Don’t assume these rules still apply.

• Eligibility: incoming freshmen, college-aged students or graduate students admitted to Georgia State’s Atlanta campus, with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Forms: a spirit tryout packet was due about a week before tryouts. Returning members also had to submit the forms and videos.
• Fee: $20, cash only.
• Video option: if you couldn’t attend, you could send a YouTube video of standing tumbling, running tumbling, the fight song and stunting.
• Format: check-in, a 30-minute bootcamp for everyone, then cheer and Pantherettes tryouts at the GSU Sports Arena.
• Cheer attire: black shorts and a GSU blue or white tank or fitted T-shirt. Women wore their hair half up, half down with a white bow and game-day makeup with red lipstick. No jewelry, and nails short.

What Georgia State Doesn’t Publish

Georgia State’s current pages don’t list tryout dates, skill requirements, a GPA rule, a fee or competition results. Ask the coach for the current requirements.

Contact

The Georgia State Athletics staff directory lists Spirit Head Coach Madison Murphy at mmurphy60@gsu.edu. Also check the Cheerleading page for new announcements.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are Georgia State cheer tryouts? Georgia State hadn’t posted dates as of September 29, 2026. Recent tryouts were in spring 2023 and, before that, summer 2022. Contact the coach for the next date.

Is there a GPA requirement? In 2023 it was 2.0. The current rule isn’t posted.

Can I try out by video? Georgia State allowed video tryouts in 2023. Ask whether that option still exists.

Related Resources

• Georgia Tech Cheerleading Tryout Guide
• University of Georgia Cheerleading Tryout Guide
• Troy University Cheerleading Tryout Guide
• College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory

Sources: Georgia State University Athletics, “Georgia State Announces Murphy as Spirit Head Coach” (2026), “Panthers Name DeSantis as Head Cheerleading Coach” (2025), “2023 Georgia State Spirit Squad Tryout Date Set” and the Staff Directory. Last checked September 29, 2026.