2011-12 Cheerleading Squad
The cheerleading program at the University of Notre Dame is a non-competitive sport consisting of two squads that cheer for the following teams:
- Men's and Women's Soccer
- Volleyball
- Men's and Women's Basketball
- Football
Each squad has six couples. Both squads travel for their respective teams as they engage in tournaments. Cheerleaders travel for every away football game and if invited, to a bowl game.
There are no scholarships for cheerleading. However, after three years of participation (as it is with varsity athletes) a monogram is awarded.
The cheerleading program is funded by the Department of Athletics, with adidas as a corporate sponsor.
In the fall, practice is four nights a week to prepare for games on friday, saturday and sunday. The four nightly practices continue during the second semester, unless appearances are scheduled for basketball games.
Tryouts are held in early April following the execution of 8-10 clinics. Scoring is determined by proficiency in stunting (which is taught), a rendition of the Notre Dame Victory March, overall cheering, cadence a dance and a tumbling pass. While most of the ladies arrive with experience, few of the men do.
The freshman year is a crucial one for young people making the transition from high school to college. With that in mind, we encourage the primary focus to be on academics, coupled with the adjustment to the college environment. If one is interested in the cheerleading program, the opportunity is presented in the sophomore year.
Foremost, cheerleaders are ambassadors of the University of Notre Dame. Community involvement promoting good will is a big factor in this program, not only in the immediate area, but also in those communities visited. Appearances are scheduled on our travels whenever time permits.
2011-12 NOTRE DAME CHEERLEADING TEAM
Blue & Green Squad
(Front row, left to right): Head coach Jo Minton, Anne Robles, Mary Katheryn Snyder, Myriah Burce, Meredith Angel, Meghan McMahon, Leprechaun Bryce Burton, ErinWard, Erin Garfield, Maggie O'Brien, Nicole Madrilejo, Farah Tahmassebi.
(Back row, left to right): William Tudor, Rafael Rivera, Zach Brown, David Jones, Tony Cunningham, Ed Stivers, Patrick Rauh, Isaac Evans, Brandon West, ChaseKelly and student assistant coach Adam Mathews.
Gold Squad
(Front row, left to right): Leprechaun Michael George, head coach Jo Minton, Maddie Genereux, Allie Rzepczynski, Jordan Nine, Olivia Lee, Courtney Leader, and Kelly Jenko.
(Back row, left to right): Will Dotterweich, Devin Blankinship, Augustus Amato, Joe Livingston, Anthony Cossell, Nick Nowotarski and student assistant coach Adam Mathews.
