This guide covers the University of Miami Hurricanes in Coral Gables, Florida, an ACC school. It’s not Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Miami’s cheer program dates back to 1925 and has two teams: a coed team and an all-girl team. Everything below comes from the official UM Spirit Squad page.
How Miami Cheer Tryouts Work
Miami uses a two-round process:
- Video round. All incoming athletes register and submit a tryout video. The deadline posted for the most recent cycle was March 31.
- In-person tryout (by invitation). If your video is selected, you’re invited to the in-person tryout in Miami. The most recent posted dates were May 8–10.
Miami’s page gives these dates without a year. They sit alongside a note about the January 2026 UCA College Nationals, so they are most likely from the 2026 cycle. The page hadn’t been updated for a new cycle when this guide was last checked on September 29, 2026. The registration link is posted on the Spirit Squad page, so check it in early spring for the current deadline.
What the Teams Do
- Football: the sidelines at home and away games.
- Basketball: men’s and women’s games, plus the chance to cheer at the ACC and NCAA tournaments.
- Volleyball: home games.
- Competition: UCA College Nationals. Miami’s page said the All-Girl team would compete in the Division IA All Girl division in January 2026.
Who to Contact
Miami lists Cecilia Esteban, Spirit Coordinator and Head Cheerleading Coach, as the contact for the spirit program (cme120@miami.edu). The program posts updates on Instagram at @u_cheer.
If you’re a dancer rather than a cheerleader, Miami’s dance team, the Sunsations, is a separate team with its own auditions. It’s listed on the same Spirit Squad page.
What Miami Doesn’t Publish
Miami’s public page doesn’t list minimum skills, a GPA requirement or required forms. Rather than guess, ask the coach directly, especially about what your video should include for your stunt position.
How to Prepare Your Video
Since the first cut is made from video alone, your video is your tryout:
- Film your best consistent skills, not your hardest ones. Clean execution is more convincing than a shaky elite skill.
- Tumbling: show a consistent standing back tuck and your best running pass. Use a hard surface if you can, because that’s what you’ll tumble on at games.
- Stunting: show your role clearly. Coed candidates need partner stunts, and all-girl candidates need group stunts. See our guides on flying and basing.
- Filming: use good light, a steady camera and a full-body frame, and film in game-day hair and makeup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Miami University (Ohio) or the University of Miami? This guide is for the University of Miami Hurricanes in Florida.
Does Miami have an all-girl cheer team? Yes. Miami has both a coed team and an all-girl team.
Do I have to send a video? Yes. All incoming athletes submit a video for the first round.
When are the in-person tryouts? In May, for invited athletes. The most recent posted dates were May 8–10.
Related Resources
- ACC Cheer Tryout Guides
- Florida State University Cheerleading Tryout Guide
- Florida Cheer Requirements
- College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory
Source: University of Miami Athletics, Miami Hurricanes Spirit Squad (program, tryout process, contact). Last checked September 29, 2026.
