The Michigan Cheer Team is a coed team within Michigan Athletics. It cheers at home football and men’s and women’s basketball games and competes each spring at the NCA College National Championships in Daytona Beach. New members are chosen at tryouts run by the coaching staff, and this guide follows the official Michigan Cheer Team Tryouts page.
Where the cycle stands (September 30, 2026): Michigan says tryouts for the 2026-27 season have concluded and that information about tryouts for the 2027-28 academic year will be posted in January 2027. It has already posted a Spring 2027 skills update (PDF), summarized below.
Skills for Spring 2027 Tryouts: Women
Women will also be evaluated on learning game material and on coed and all-girl stunting.
- Standing tumbling (required): back walkover; standing multiple handsprings; handspring tuck; back tuck.
- Running tumbling (required): round off back handspring back tuck; cartwheel tuck; round off back handspring layout; a front pass beginning with a front walkover or front handspring.
- Running tumbling (desired): a pass ending in a full twisting layout; a pass incorporating a whip.
- Jumps: right and left hurdlers and a double toe touch to back handspring (the official skills sheet lists one more jump; check the PDF or ask the coaches). Desired: toe touch to tuck.
- Flexibility: left heel stretch; right, left and center splits.
Skills for Spring 2027 Tryouts: Men
For men, “a demonstrated history of athletic performance is the only prerequisite.” Michigan says most of its male athletes arrived without gymnastics or cheer backgrounds or tumbling skills, and a candidate from football, track or soccer is just as qualified as one with gymnastics experience. You may show any tumbling you have. Men are evaluated on learning game material and on coed and mixed-group stunting.
Paperwork for Spring 2027
- A physical completed after January 15, 2027, signed by a physician (MD or DO).
- Results of a sickle cell test showing your sickle cell status.
Other forms and the tryout schedule will be posted with the January 2027 information.
Who Can Try Out
Michigan’s FAQ says it holds two tryout evaluation periods: one in the spring for the upcoming season, and one in mid-September after classes begin. No fall 2026 tryout details are posted. The FAQ also covers incoming students whose admission is still pending: you may try out in the spring if you have all the required documents, but making the team has no effect on your admission decision. If you’re later denied admission, you’re removed from the roster.
Life on the Team
- Roster: around 40 members, roughly 20 men and 20 women.
- Time: 12–14 hours a week on average through the year, including two hours of strength and conditioning, plus every home football and basketball game.
- Preseason: no regular summer practice, but the team attends NCA College Cheer camp in early August and practices twice a day for 7–10 days before classes start.
- Costs: Michigan says there are no out-of-pocket expenses. The athletic department pays for practice gear, uniforms, warm-ups, shoes and travel.
- Travel: regular-season away football games, Big Ten basketball tournaments and postseason events.
- Results: Michigan says the team has won 11 national championships since 2013.
The team’s history dates to 1892, when a few male “yell masters” led the crowd. Women joined in 1974.
Coaches and Contact
Pam St. John is head coach, and Elisabeth Tyzo-DePaulis and Demetrius Markham are assistant coaches. For recruiting information, Michigan asks you to email Mcheercoaches@umich.edu. The FAQ also lists Coach St. John at pstjohn@umich.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are Michigan cheer tryouts?
The 2026-27 tryouts are over. Michigan will post 2027-28 tryout information in January 2027, and the physical for Spring 2027 tryouts must be dated after January 15, 2027.
Do men need tumbling?
No. Michigan says athletic history is the only prerequisite for men, and tumbling isn’t required.
What tumbling do women need?
Required skills include a standing back tuck, a round off back handspring layout and a front pass. Passes ending in a full twisting layout or including a whip are desired.
Does it cost anything to be on the team?
No. Michigan says the athletic department covers gear, uniforms and travel.
Related Resources
- Michigan State University Cheerleading Tryout Guide
- Ohio State University Cheerleading Tryout Guide
- How to Do a Back Handspring
- Big Ten Cheer Tryout Guides
- College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory
Sources: Michigan Athletics, Michigan Cheer Team Tryouts, Spring 2027 Skills Update (PDF), Michigan Cheer Team FAQ, About the Michigan Cheer Team and Coaches. Last checked September 30, 2026.
