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.

Front row (left to right): Head Coach Coach Jonette Minton, Sami Mainieri, Kelsey Ingram, Christine Jefferies, Juan Muldoon (leprechaun), Justine Gamez, Natalie Leopold and Jenny Antonelli.

Back row: Michael Cirone, Zachary Brown, Preston Bennett, Danny Nolan, Joe Tsai and Don Taynor.

Not Pictured: Assistant Coach Brian Egendoerfer.

Front row (left to right): Head Coach Jonette Minton, Stephanie Strasser, Molly McEvily, Meghan McMahon, Kaitlyn Strand, Kate Tooher, Dan Collins (leprechaun), Christy Essman, Courtney Leader, Anne Krishnan, Marlena Menninger and Lauren Fussner.

Back row: Colin McCarthy, Charles Cossell, Craig Bentzen, Chris Green, Alex Moore, Chris Dinkins, Dave Wilkerson, Adam Mathews and James Sollitto.

Not Pictured: Joe Mendoza, John Flatley and Assistant Coach Brian Egendoerfer.