TCU fields two cheer squads. The All-Girl squad usually has 18–26 members, and the Coed squad has 5–8 couples. Both cheer for Horned Frog football, basketball and volleyball in the Big 12. Tryouts are held on campus each April and are in person only: TCU accepts no video tryouts. This guide follows TCU’s official Cheer Tryouts and Clinics page and Cheerleading FAQ.
Who Can Try Out
- Full-time TCU students, enrolled in 12 or more hours and in good academic and disciplinary standing.
- Incoming first-year and transfer students with proof of acceptance.
- Waitlisted applicants. If selected, your membership is pending until TCU admits you.
What to Submit
You apply online. Mailed, emailed and in-person forms aren’t accepted. You can’t try out without all of these:
- Proof of grades (an unofficial transcript for current students) or proof of admission.
- One current headshot.
- A signed medical consent form and a release and indemnity agreement (signed by a parent if you’re under 18).
- A signed expectations form.
- A copy of your health insurance card, front and back.
- A physical signed by a physician within the past six months.
- A $50 tryout processing fee.
- A coach evaluation form, completed by your current coach and sent directly to Spirit Director Esther Pae (e.pae@tcu.edu).
How Tryouts Work
For 2026-27, the application was due April 13, and tryouts ran April 17–18 at Schollmaier Arena. TCU emails the tryout material about a week in advance and doesn’t teach it at tryouts. Cuts are made throughout both days.
- Round 1 (Friday):
- Women: running tumbling on mats (two warm-up passes, then the third is judged; the minimum is a running handspring back tuck), three standing tucks in a ripple, and cheers and cadences.
- Men: stunting in assigned pairs or groups, from basic to performance-level.
- Round 2 (Saturday): in small groups:
- An introduction and a personal or TCU-related question.
- Two running passes on mats and one on wood (men exempt).
- The fight song with a standing tuck on wood (women use poms).
- Cheers and cadences.
- Round 3 (Saturday): formal stunt tryouts, from basic to elite. The final roster is emailed that evening, followed by the first team meeting.
TCU says it evaluates “cheer skills, strong work ethic, public speaking ability, performance quality, and overall ambassadorship.” Jumps are not performed.
Skill Expectations
Tumbling
A clean, consistent standing back tuck and a running handspring back tuck are required. According to TCU:
- Most women on the current team also have standing BHS tucks, layouts or fulls, plus running fulls or specialty passes.
- The men range from no running tumbling to specialty passes.
- You’ll tumble on both a mat and the basketball court.
Stunting
- Coed: the minimum is a toss hands. Most candidates have a toss extension and are working toward a lib, stretch or cupie.
- All-Girl: full up, round-off up, back handspring up, hand in hand, and low-to-high and high-to-high full arounds, all with clean dismounts. The squad also focuses on single-base skills.
TCU puts real weight on versatility. It says being able to stunt with multiple partners or groups “is a necessity,” and it considers who is easy to work with and takes correction well.
Clinics and Open Practices
TCU’s cheer clinics are optional but “highly recommended.” In 2026 the program offered:
- Tryout Clinic: March 29, 1–5 p.m., at the Sam Baugh Indoor Practice Facility. Cost: $100. Open to high school and college students.
- All-Girl and Coed Open Practices in early March. Free, for high school juniors and older; practice with the current teams.
- Male Prospect Open Practices. Free, for high school juniors and older; no experience needed.
The Commitment
A full year is mandatory. It starts June 1 after tryouts:
- Summer: learn the material by video and keep up a workout and tumbling schedule.
- August: work weeks before the season.
- Season: runs from late August through the following May.
Squad members must also keep their health insurance active all year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a video instead of trying out in person? No. TCU says all candidates must be seen by its judging panel in person.
Are jumps part of TCU tryouts? No. TCU states that jumps are not performed.
What’s the minimum tumbling? A standing back tuck and a running handspring back tuck.
How many people make the team? There’s no fixed number. The All-Girl squad usually has 18–26 members and the Coed squad 5–8 couples, depending on the talent at tryouts.
How much does it cost to try out? A $50 processing fee. The optional tryout clinic is $100, and the open practices are free.
Related Resources
- Big 12 Cheer Tryout Guides
- Baylor University Cheerleading Tryout Guide
- How to Be a Better Cheerleading Flyer
- College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory
Sources: TCU Athletics, Cheer Tryouts and Clinics (2026-27), Cheerleading FAQ and TCU Cheerleading. Last checked September 23, 2026.
