If you’re looking for “Purdue cheer tryouts,” the most important thing to know is that Purdue mainly recruits its cheerleaders. It doesn’t rely on a single tryout day. Prospects are evaluated at clinics and on campus, verbal offers go out in the fall, and Purdue says it holds a traditional tryout “only if there is a need to fill any remaining positions.” This guide follows Purdue’s official Cheer Recruitment Information and Cheer Clinic Information pages.
How Purdue Recruitment Works
- Complete the recruitment form. This applies to current high school juniors and seniors.
- Get evaluated in person on campus, either in the spring of your junior year or the fall of your senior year. Summer and fall clinics are the main way to showcase your skills and earn an offer.
- Apply to Purdue. Purdue encourages recruits to apply by the November 1 early decision deadline.
- Receive a verbal offer. These go out throughout the fall semester.
- Sign with the team in the spring, once you have your university acceptance letter.
Transfer students follow the same timeline. Purdue keeps offering roster spots in the spring until both teams are full.
Purdue’s Two Teams and Minimum Skills
| Co-ed | All-girl | |
|---|---|---|
| Roster | About 20–30 (18–20 women, 6–8 men): female flyers, male stunters and all-girl bases | About 24–28 (6–8 stunt groups): flyer, main base, side base and back spot |
| Minimum tumbling | Standing tuck, performed several in a row (there’s one in the fight song). No exceptions for women. Men are encouraged to tumble, and elite stunters can be considered without it. | Standing tuck, performed several in a row; running full highly preferred (performed back to front on the mat) |
| Minimum stunt | Toss extension with a clean pop-off | Full up immediate lib with a clean pop-off |
Purdue notes there are no “tumbler only” positions on either team, and that additional tumbling and stunting skills are highly preferred.
Clinics
Purdue says its clinics are the place to learn its skills and technique, and that anyone interested in Purdue cheer is “highly encouraged” to attend. For fall 2026 it listed:
- A recruitment clinic on August 22 (now past).
- College prep clinics for grades 8–12 on September 27 (now past), October 17 and November 29, covering stunting, tumbling and game day.
A few practical details:
- The fee is $80 per participant, and registration opens two weeks before each clinic.
- You register for either co-ed or all-girl.
- You must complete your waivers online through BoilerBase beforehand. Paper forms aren’t accepted on site.
Team Benefits
Purdue cheerleaders are supported as student-athletes. Benefits include:
- Recognition as a varsity athlete by the John Purdue Club and the Varsity P Club, and a varsity letter jacket after your first year.
- Priority class registration.
- Free tutoring and a team academic advisor.
- Team strength and conditioning twice a week.
- Access to an athletic trainer, team physician, nutritionist and psychologist.
How to Prepare
- Start early. Evaluations happen in your junior spring or senior fall, so plan your skills a year ahead.
- Nail the minimums: multiple standing tucks in a row, plus a clean toss extension (co-ed) or full up immediate lib (all-girl).
- Attend a clinic and register for the team you’re targeting.
- Apply to Purdue by November 1 if you can.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Purdue hold cheer tryouts? Only if spots remain after recruiting. Most team members are recruited through clinics and campus evaluations.
What’s the minimum tumbling? A standing tuck, performed several in a row, for both teams. Co-ed men are encouraged but not required to tumble. For all-girl, Purdue’s team description calls a running full “highly preferred,” but its own FAQ says a running full is required, so all-girl hopefuls should plan on having one.
When should I contact Purdue? By your junior year. Complete the recruitment form and plan to be evaluated in your junior spring or senior fall.
Related Resources
- Indiana University Cheerleading Tryout Guide
- University of Iowa Cheerleading Tryout Guide
- College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory
Sources: Purdue Athletics, Cheer Recruitment Information and Cheer Clinic Information. Last checked September 29, 2026.
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