USF fields its cheer programs under Bulls Athletics (gousfbulls.com/sports/spirit), competing in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). Importantly, USF runs two distinct spirit programs: a Coed cheer team and a separate SunDolls squad — if you’re not sure which you’re trying out for, confirm with the coaching staff before attending, since requirements may differ between them.

USF Cheer Program Structure and Coaches

• Coed cheer team: led by Head Coach Ronnie Patrick and Assistant Coach Gillian Guadagnino.
• SunDolls: led by co-Head Coaches Sandy Clarke and Taylor DelGreco, with Assistant Coach Rocky Kelly Budnick.

These names come from USF Athletics’ own program pages found via search, but the pages themselves are JavaScript-rendered and couldn’t be directly re-verified in this session — confirm current staff before publishing, since coaching staff can change between seasons.

USF Cheer Requirements

While exact figures should be confirmed with the program directly, general expectations for USF tryouts include full-time enrollment, a minimum GPA (a specific USF figure wasn’t independently confirmable this session — don’t assume a fixed number), completed tryout/waiver forms, and proof of insurance where applicable. Note that meeting the minimum listed skills doesn’t guarantee a spot — the coaching staff evaluates candidates across the full tryout process and commonly expects skills beyond the stated minimums.

Selection Process

Based on USF’s own published tryout information, selection happens across multiple sessions, with potential cuts after each one; candidates are expected to attend every session, and the final team is announced at the last session.

Skills Evaluated

• Motions and cheers — sharp, synchronized motion technique; candidates may be taught a cheer or fight song on the spot and asked to perform it with energy and precision.
• Jumps — toe touches, pikes, and hurdler jumps, judged on height, flexibility, and clean landings.
• Tumbling — requirements vary by position; back handsprings and back tucks are common benchmarks, with standing/full-twisting skills expected for advanced positions.
• Stunting — stunt-group evaluation, with flyers assessed on flexibility/body positions and bases on strength and technique.

How to Prepare

• Build cardiovascular endurance, core strength, and flexibility.
• Make sure tumbling is competition-ready before tryout day.
• Practice motions in front of a mirror for sharpness.
• Work on jump height and flexibility daily.
• Practice with an experienced stunt group if possible.
• Watch current USF cheer or SunDolls performances to understand current style expectations.
• Attend every session of the tryout process — USF’s own process explicitly expects this.

Tryout Day Tips

Arrive early and warmed up. Wear appropriate cheer attire. Bring water and any required paperwork. Be coachable, introduce yourself confidently, perform with full energy, and support other candidates during group evaluations.

After Tryouts

If selected, expect summer practices, camps, and regular-season commitments. If not selected, ask for feedback, keep training, and consider trying again — many successful college cheerleaders didn’t make a team on their first attempt.

Related Resources

• College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory
• Beginner Cheerleading Hub
• Cheer Stunts & Tumbling Hub
• Cheerleading Glossary

Frequently Asked Questions

Is USF cheer one team or two? USF runs a Coed cheer team and a separate SunDolls squad, each with its own coaching staff — confirm which program you’re trying out for.

Who coaches USF cheer? The Coed team is led by Head Coach Ronnie Patrick and Assistant Coach Gillian Guadagnino; SunDolls is led by co-Head Coaches Sandy Clarke and Taylor DelGreco with Assistant Coach Rocky Kelly Budnick. Confirm current staff with the program.

When are USF cheer tryouts? We could not confirm exact 2026-2027 dates — check gousfbulls.com/sports/spirit directly.

Do I need tumbling skills? Yes — a back handspring is a common baseline, with higher-level skills expected for advanced positions, per USF’s own published tryout information.

Sources: USF Athletics Spirit (official, program existence confirmed); USF COED and SunDolls program pages and tryout-information pages (coach names and selection-process detail found via search index, not directly re-verified this session — confirm before publishing). Last checked 2026-09-21.