Texas Cheer has two squads, and both use a hybrid tryout: a video round first, then invitation-only rounds on campus. This guide follows the official Spirit Squad Tryout Information page on TexasLonghorns.com and the 2026 Tryout Process and Information packet. Texas has already posted 2027 tryout dates (for the 2027-28 squads). The detailed packet linked from the page is still the 2026 version, so expect some details to change for 2027.

The Two Cheer Squads

• Orange Squad (coed). Focuses on men’s sports. It cheers home and away football games and men’s basketball home games, and travels to postseason games.
• White Squad (all-girl). Focuses on women’s sports: football, volleyball, women’s basketball and soccer home games, plus postseason travel. White Squad also competes in STUNT, the sport, alongside its game-day work.

Both squads are part of the Texas Spirit Program with Texas Pom and Hook ‘Em, the mascot. Texas says members’ schedules should be flexible, because the teams have commitments over weekends and all holiday, spring and summer breaks. Texas has been a member of the SEC since July 1, 2024.

2027 Cheer Tryout Dates

These dates are on the official tryout page for the 2027 cycle:

• Wednesday, March 24, 2027: registration deadline. Tryout materials are due the same day (both squads).
• Wednesday, March 31, 2027: invitations to the in-person tryouts are sent.
• Friday–Saturday, April 9–10, 2027: Orange Squad (coed) tryouts.
• Saturday–Sunday, April 10–11, 2027: White Squad (all-girl) tryouts.
• Saturday, May 8, 2027: required new member meeting and Welcome Weekend.

For comparison, the 2026 cycle followed the same pattern: materials were due March 25, invitations went out April 1, in-person rounds ran April 10–12, and the 2026-27 squads were announced on April 15, 2026.

Who Can Try Out

Texas lists these tryout requirements:

• Full-time enrollment at UT Austin for the fall and spring semesters.
• A cumulative 2.0 GPA.
• Good academic and disciplinary standing at your current school.
• All tryout materials turned in by the deadline.
• A background check for all spirit program members.

The 2026 packet’s FAQ added more detail. Incoming freshmen, current UT students and transfer students were eligible. You could try out while your admission was pending, under appeal or waitlisted, but making the squad did not guarantee admission. PACE students were eligible, and CAP students were not. Graduate students with a full course load could try out. There is no height or weight requirement.

How the 2026 Process Worked

1. Register online and upload a transcript, cover letter, resume, letter of admission (if applicable) and a head-to-toe photo. Add your video’s YouTube link (unlisted, not private).
2. One letter of recommendation from your most recent cheer or dance coach, addressed to Blair Taylor. It should speak to your ability to serve as an ambassador and work as a teammate.
3. A headshot in JPEG, PNG or PDF format.
4. The Pre-Participation Medical Screening Form. It includes your medical history, a sickle cell solubility or HPLC test result (a birth record result is accepted), signed consents, a physical within six months of the tryout by an MD, DO, PA or NP, and proof of active insurance (front and back of your card).

Rounds two and three take place on campus and are invitation only. Tryout sessions are closed to the public, including parents and coaches. Women who are top girls are encouraged to try out for both squads.

What the Video Must Show (2026 Packet)

• An introduction with your full name, squad, current school and whether the video is your Round 2 invitation video or your final tryout.
• Three consecutive standing back tucks, preferably on dead floor.
• A standing back handspring back tuck, or a more elite skill.
• Series tumbling, such as a round-off back handspring back tuck, layout or full.
• Elite stunts. The suggested all-girl skills are extension, lib, 360, full up and full up immediate. The suggested coed skills are toss extension, more elite toss stunts and walk-ins.
• At least 20 seconds of performance footage, preferably leading a crowd.
• The Texas Fight Song. The all-girl video also includes a jump sequence, using choreography Texas provides.
• Short interview answers covering why you want to join, what you offer, what being a UT ambassador means to you, and how you’ll balance the program with academics.

The tryout page lists Down Chants, March Grandioso and Wabash Cannonball as tryout material along with the fight song. Beyond skills, Texas says it selects for leadership, a charismatic presence, confidence, independence, enthusiasm and the ability to engage an audience.

How Competitive It Is

The 2026 packet gave approximate tryout numbers that vary from year to year: 20–30 men and 50–60 women for the Orange Squad, and 75–100 women for the White Squad.

What to Wear

For cheer tryouts and videos in 2026, men wore athletic shoes, shorts and a T-shirt. Women wore athletic shoes, shorts and a sports bra.

Fall Recruiting Clinics

Texas lists two Fall 2026 cheer, pom and mascot recruiting clinics. The first was held on Sunday, September 20, and the second is on Sunday, October 25, 2026. Sign up through the link on the tryout page. The packet asks candidates who attended a past clinic to include clinic material in their tryout videos.

Contact

Blair Taylor is Director and Head Coach of Spirit Programs, according to the staff directory. The Spirit office number is 512-232-2911. Tryout questions go to txcheer@austin.utexas.edu. Texas Cheer & Pom is on Instagram at @utexasspirit.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are Texas cheer tryouts in 2027? Materials are due March 24, 2027. Coed tryouts are April 9–10 and all-girl tryouts are April 10–11, both invitation only.

Does everyone need a video? Yes. All cheer candidates submit a video to be considered for the in-person rounds. If you can’t attend in person, the video can serve as your final tryout. Say so in the video.

What GPA do I need? A cumulative 2.0, plus full-time enrollment at UT Austin.

Can I try out for both squads? Yes. Texas recommends that top girls try out for both.

Related Resources

• Texas A&M University Cheerleading Tryout Guide
• University of Oklahoma Cheerleading Tryout Guide
• How to Film a Cheer Tryout Video
• College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory

Sources: University of Texas Athletics, Spirit Squad Tryout Information, 2026 Tryout Process and Information (PDF), Texas Spirit, “Congratulations to the 2026-2027 Texas Cheer Squads”, “Feel this moment: Thousands gather to celebrate Texas, SEC” and the Staff Directory. Last checked October 1, 2026.