Old Dominion’s most recent posted cheer tryout was an in-person, athletes-only tryout in May 2025, with online registration. This guide follows the official Monarch Spirit Squads page on ODUSports.com. The most recent posted dates are from the 2025-26 cycle. As of September 29, 2026, ODU hadn’t posted dates for its next tryout.

The Program

• A competitive coed team. ODU competes in the Intermediate Small Coed Division IA at NCA College Nationals in Daytona Beach. It placed sixth in 2025 and fifth in 2026.
• New head coach. In August 2026, ODU promoted Courtney Abston to head cheer coach. She cheered at ODU for four years and was an assistant coach for the previous two.
• Roster. The 2026-27 cheer roster lists 23 athletes.
• Conference. Old Dominion plays in the Sun Belt.

How Tryouts Worked in 2025

• Registration: through an online form linked on the Spirit Squads page.
• Day 1: May 9, 2025, 5:30–9:00 p.m. (registration opened at 5:00 p.m.).
• Day 2: May 10, 2025, in two sessions, 10:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 4:30–9:30 p.m. Candidates had to attend both.
• Location: Jim Jarrett Athletic Administration Building, 4500 Parker Ave., Norfolk.
• Closed tryout: athletes only, no spectators.

The Spirit Squads page also links ODU’s preparticipation physical evaluation forms. Ask the spirit office whether you need a physical before tryouts or only after you make the team.

What ODU Doesn’t Publish

ODU’s public pages don’t list skill minimums, a GPA requirement or a tryout fee. With a new head coach, the format for the next tryout may change, so confirm details before you prepare.

Contact

ODU directs questions to Spirit Squad Coordinator Tara Lynne Cannon at tcannon@odu.edu. The staff directory also lists her phone number, (757) 683-4265.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are ODU cheer tryouts? The last posted tryout was May 9–10, 2025. Check the Spirit Squads page for the next dates.

Can parents watch? Not in 2025. It was a closed, athletes-only tryout.

Does ODU cheer compete? Yes, at NCA College Nationals. It placed fifth in Intermediate Small Coed Division IA in 2026.

Related Resources

• James Madison University Cheerleading Tryout Guide
• Virginia Tech Cheerleading Tryout Guide
• University of Virginia Cheerleading Tryout Guide
• College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory

Sources: Old Dominion University Athletics, Monarch Spirit Squads, “Courtney Abston Named ODU Cheer Head Coach” (2026), “Old Dominion Cheer Finishes Fifth in NCA Cheer Nationals” (2026), “ODU Competition Cheer Places Sixth at NCA College Nationals” (2025), the 2026-27 Cheer Roster and the Staff Directory. Last checked September 29, 2026.