Oregon’s cheerleaders are part of Oregon Cheer & Dance, the Ducks’ spirit program in the Big Ten. The 2026 tryouts were held in April. The most important thing to know is that Oregon’s 2026 tryouts were in person and mandatory, and the program didn’t accept video submissions.
How Oregon Cheer Tryouts Work
For the 2026 team, Oregon’s official tryout application listed:
- Tryouts: April 17 and 18, 2026 (all day both days) at Matthew Knight Arena.
- Attendance: mandatory, in person. Video submissions are not accepted.
- Application: an online form, linked from the Tryouts tab on the Cheer & Dance page.
The 2026 dates have passed. In 2026, Oregon ran Tryout Prep Clinics in the weeks before its April tryouts. Check the Cheer & Dance page for the next cycle’s application and dates.
Tryout Prep Clinics
Oregon strongly encourages its prep clinics. The 2026 application said “It is very important that you know our style and expectations prior to our rigorous tryout process.” In 2026, the last Tryout Prep Clinic before tryouts was April 12 at Matthew Knight Arena.
Registration runs through the program’s clinic links, which are available from the Oregon Cheer links page and the Clinics tab on goducks.com. Because tryouts are in person only, the clinics are also your best chance to see the level and style before tryout weekend.
What We Don’t Know Yet
Oregon doesn’t publish a detailed skills list or GPA figure on its public pages. Rather than guess, here’s how to fill the gaps:
- Skills: the clinics teach Oregon’s material and expectations directly.
- Academic and eligibility rules: ask the head coach (contact below) before you register.
Who to Contact
As of September 2026, Oregon’s athletics staff directory lists Dana Lockett as Head Coach/Spirit Director for Cheer & Dance (dguthrie@uoregon.edu, 541-346-4481). The program is on social media as @OregonCheer.
How to Prepare
- Plan to be in Eugene. With no video option, you need to attend both tryout days, so budget for travel if you’re out of state.
- Attend at least one prep clinic, ideally more. Oregon describes its tryout as “rigorous,” and the clinics are where you learn what that means.
- Build solid fundamentals:
- A clean back handspring and a standing tuck.
- Sharp jumps — see how to improve jump height.
- Stunting technique for your position — see our guides on flying and basing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a video instead of attending Oregon tryouts? No. For 2026, Oregon stated that tryouts are in person, mandatory, and that it doesn’t accept video submissions.
When are Oregon cheer tryouts? The 2026 tryouts were April 17–18 at Matthew Knight Arena. As of late September 2026, Oregon hadn’t posted next-cycle dates, so watch goducks.com.
Are Oregon’s prep clinics required? They aren’t listed as mandatory, but Oregon strongly encourages them so candidates know its style before tryouts.
What conference is Oregon in? The Big Ten.
Related Resources
- Oregon State University Cheerleading Tryout Guide
- Michigan State University Cheerleading Tryout Guide
- Cheerleading Tryout Tips: How to Stand Out
- College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory
Sources: University of Oregon Athletics, Cheer & Dance and staff directory; Oregon Cheer’s 2026 tryout application form and clinic registration links. Last checked September 23, 2026; staff directory and roster rechecked September 26, 2026.
