Tennessee doesn’t hold a single open tryout day. Since 2021, the program has picked its cheer team through a recruitment process: a required video, evaluation at Tennessee clinics and combines, and invite-only campus events. Recruitment for the 2027-28 team is already open. This guide follows Tennessee’s official Cheer Recruitment page, Cheer page and Spirit FAQ.
2027-28 Recruitment Timeline
Recruitment is open to graduating high school seniors (class of 2027), current UT students and college transfer students.
| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| July 15, 2026 | Recruitment registration opened |
| August 2026 – spring 2027 | Evaluation period |
| October – December 2026 | Possible invite-only campus events |
| April 2027 | 2027-28 team announced on social media |
Who Can Submit a Video
For the 2027-28 cycle, Tennessee added a prerequisite: you must have attended a Tennessee Cheer clinic between spring 2025 and fall 2026 to be eligible to submit a recruitment video. Check the official Clinics page for upcoming dates.
To take part:
- Register for recruitment through the link on the Cheer Recruitment page. The fee is $50.
- Watch for the confirmation email.
- Submit your video using the link in that email. You only get the link after registering.
Tennessee accepts videos until the roster is complete. It recommended submitting by August 15 to be considered for an invite-only weekend, so the earlier the better.
Video Rules
- Film horizontally, with no music on any clip.
- All clips must be from the last two months.
- Submit only one clip of each skill.
- No footage from workshops or clinics.
- Perform all skills on grass or dead floor.
- Attire: women in a black fitted top, black shorts, white bow and high ponytail; men in a white T-shirt and black shorts.
The video must follow this exact order:
- Introduction (20 seconds max): your name, hometown, team or gym, and why you want to cheer for and attend Tennessee.
- Tumbling: 5 standing back tucks in a row, 5 standing back handspring tucks in a row, a specialty standing pass (such as two back handsprings to a layout, a back handspring full or a standing full), a round-off back handspring full or your best running pass, and a specialty running pass if you have one.
- Stunting: the game day stunts in the listed order (from toss chair through toss cupie, low to high and a full around), twisting dismounts, 3–4 elite stunts, and one two-part stunt sequence.
- Pregame fight song: “Rocky Top,” with the required standing back tucks, ending in a stunt. A full up platform lib is preferred.
The full stunt list is on the Cheer Recruitment page. Follow it exactly.
Required Skills
Tennessee’s Cheer page lists these requirements:
- Tumbling: a standing back tuck, a standing back handspring back tuck, and a tumbling pass with three or more skills. A running pass with a full rotation is highly recommended.
- Stunts: extensions, libs, walk-in stunts and toss stunts are required for everyone. The competitive team also needs full ups, rewinds and handspring ups.
- Other: crowd leading, voice projection and motion technique.
Being able to stunt with multiple partners and take coaching is described as a must.
The Team and the Commitment
- Size: Tennessee’s FAQ describes a coed team of 44, with 22 men and 22 women. Roster size varies by season.
- Games: football, men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball, plus away football and postseason travel.
- Schedule: four set practice days in the fall, two strength and conditioning days, academic study hours, appearances, and two Sundays a month of nationals practice in the fall.
- Academics: members must keep a 2.0 GPA to stay eligible, and a 2.5 GPA to travel to away games and the postseason.
- Support: a team doctor, a dedicated athletic trainer, strength coaches, an academic advisor, nutrition and mental health support.
Scholarships
Tennessee awards spirit scholarships that grow with years on the team. The exact tiers differ between official pages. The Spirit FAQ lists $0–$1,500 in the first year, rising to up to $7,000 in the fourth year. The Cheer page says up to $1,000 in the first year and up to $6,000 in the fourth. Confirm the current amounts with the program. Tennessee also notes that it can’t waive out-of-state tuition.
Competition Record
Tennessee Cheer competes each year at the UCA College National Championship in Division IA Co-Ed. It has made finals in 22 of the past 24 years and placed as high as second. It won the Division IA Game Day national title in 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2026.
Coaches and Contact
- Chelsea Bowlin — Cheer Coach.
- Kelley Tafazzoli — Spirit Program Director and Dance Coach.
- Recruitment questions: VolCheerRecruiting@utk.edu.
- Social: @TennesseeCheer (X) and @vol_cheer (Instagram).
How to Prepare
- Get to a clinic. It’s now required to submit a video for 2027-28, and it lets the staff see you in person.
- Build tumbling consistency, not just difficulty. The video asks for five standing tucks and five standing handspring tucks in a row, on grass or dead floor. See our back handspring guide.
- Drill the game day stunt list in order. Flyers should lock in body positions and bases their toss timing. See our guides on flying and basing.
- Learn “Rocky Top.” The pregame fight song is part of the video.
- Watch last year’s nationals routine. Tennessee says it’s the best baseline for the skill level it expects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tennessee hold open cheer tryouts? No. Tennessee has used a recruitment model since 2021: a required video plus evaluation at clinics, combines and invite-only campus events.
Do I need to attend a clinic? For the 2027-28 cycle, yes, if you want to submit a video. You must have attended a clinic between spring 2025 and fall 2026.
How much does recruitment cost? $50 to register.
When is the team announced? In April 2027, on social media.
What GPA do I need? Members must maintain a 2.0 GPA, and a 2.5 GPA to travel.
Does Tennessee give cheer scholarships? Yes. They’re based on years on the team. See the Scholarships section above for the published ranges.
Related Resources
- SEC Cheer Tryout Guides
- Cheer Stunts and Tumbling Hub
- Cheerleading Tryout Tips: How to Stand Out
- College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory
Sources: University of Tennessee Athletics — Cheer Recruitment (2027-28), Cheer, Frequently Asked Questions, 2026-27 Cheer, Dance & Mascots Roster and “How Tennessee Cheer’s Culture Brought Home a National Championship” (Feb. 23, 2026). Last checked September 26, 2026.
