WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CHEERLEADING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Traditions:
School colors:
Purple and Gold
What is a Leatherneck?
What’s so special about Western Illinois athletics team nicknames? Men’s and women's intercollegiate athletics teams are The Fighting Leathernecks, and Western Illinois is the only public school in the U.S. that has permission through the Department of the Navy to use the United States Marine Corps official seal, mascot (the bulldog) and nickname, The Fighting Leathernecks.
Mascot:
Rocky the Bulldog is the mascot for Western Illinois University athletic teams. This two-legged caricature had its start in 1958 when a live four-legged English Bulldog, purchased by Student Government, was marched throughout the football stadium during home games. He was named "Colonel Rock" in honor of Western’s legendary Athletic Director and Coach Ray "Rock" Hanson, a Marine colonel. In 1971 a 900-pound cement statue of Rocky was set in place just north of the University Union, adjacent to Hanson Field. The statue was moved to the stadium’s entryway when the facility was updated in 2002
Fight song:
"We're Marching On" Words and Music by Walter H. Eller
We have been singing the Fight Song since the 1935 Homecoming Game, when band director Walter Eller officially dedicated "We Are Marching On."
Lyrics
We are marching on 'neath the Purple and Gold; we are singing a song that will never grow old.
All the Sons and Daughters of Western, today, go marching on.
W-E-S-T-E-R-N Yea! Western
Hail to Western, true and loyal, we are here to win this day.
When you see those conqu'ring heroes, marching down the way (Rah! Rah! Rah!).
Ev'ry heart and voice will sing this melody of vict'ry's song:
Fling out the Purple and the Gold, We're Marching On.
W-E-S-T-E-R-N! Yea! Western
Common Questions:
1. When are tryouts?
You must attend all dates in order to be eligible to tryout or be given approval by the Coach to
tryout by video. All video tryouts must be received prior to the first day of tryouts in order to be reviewed by the judges. Tryouts will be held in Western Hall for the 2017-2018 team.
Tryout Dates:
April 7th-9th, 2017
Western Illinois University Cheerleading
Frequently Asked Questions:
2. When are Open Gym dates?
Current squad members and potential future squad members are encouraged to attend Open Gyms
prior to tryouts. This gives candidates an opportunity to work with current squad members, as well
as learn the Fight Song in advance of tryouts. All Open Gyms are held in Horrabin Hall Gym unless
otherwise noted. In order to participate in Open Gyms, you will need to bring a copy of insurance
and will need to complete a Waiver of Liability Form which can be found by following the link:
https://www.nmnathletics.com//pdf8/818859.pdf?ATCLID=923985&SPSID=61498&SPID=668
8&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=12000
Open Gym Dates:
March 25th and April 1st, 2017 from 11am-3pm in the Horrabin Hall Gym.
*Please contact Coach Karen Trusley (KM-Trusley@wiu.edu) to confirm Open Gym dates,
times and locations.
3. What do tryouts consist of?
- Cheer
- Fight Song
- Stunts:
- Partner Stunts:
Chair (Fight Song), Purdue up, Hands and Optional
- All-Girl:
Extension (Fight Song), Lib, Dismount and Optional
*All stunts are judged on technique, execution and difficulty.
*Pyramids and Basket Tosses are not performed at tryouts.
- Tumbling:
Standing Back Handspring, Standing Back Tuck or Standing Back Handspring Back Tuck,
Running Tumbling
*If unable to tumble, jumps can replace tumbling but will result in no more than two out of the five allotted
points.
4. What tumbling are you looking for?
Although tumbling is not mandatory, it is strongly encouraged. As we continue to develop our
squad, it is expected that the entire squad will work towards or have a standing back handspring.
5. What is required to be a Western Illinois University cheerleader?
Being a Western Illinois University cheerleader is a position that is held in high regard and therefore
we have high expectations of our team members. Minimally the cheerleader must be a full time
student (enrolled in at least 12 credit hours) and have a minimum GPA of 2.0. Please review our
Rules and Regulations which can be found on our website to get a better appreciation of those
expectations.
6. What is the academic responsibility of being a Western Illinois University Cheerleader?
As a Western Illinois University cheerleader you must maintain a GPA of 2.0 and be enrolled in at
least 12 credit hours. All cheerleaders will be required to attend regular Study Tables.
7. Are there scholarships available?
There is one scholarship available each spring for $250.00, the Amie Titus Memorial Scholarship.
There is an application process for this scholarship. At this time, no other cheerleading specific
scholarships exist. Please feel free to contact the Scholarship Office for general scholarships
available: http://www.wiu.edu/student_services/scholarship
8. Practice Schedule:
Cheerleaders are expected to be in good physical condition and be able to practice toward full
execution of all material including stunts, tumbling, pyramids, etc. Football cheerleaders will be
expected to practice at least three times per week for two-three hours per practice, with additional
tumbling practices and conditioning practices scheduled appropriately. Basketball cheerleaders will
practice at least one time per week, with practice dependent upon game schedule.
9. Community Service Information:
Our cheerleaders are expected to serve the campus community and the greater Macomb community
by participating in and supporting events outside of their athletic responsibilities. By doing so, we
gain respect for Western Illinois University and the cheerleading program. Cheerleaders will be
expected to complete a minimum of twenty hours of service per semester in order to letter.
10. What kind of camp do we attend?
We attend Universal Cheerleaders Association College Camp each summer to learn new skills and to
build team cohesiveness. Camp is mandatory; all members are required to attend. Cost of camp is
paid for by each squad member, with additional assistance paid for by the Athletics Department.
Cost of camp gear is an out of pocket expense for each individual team member.
11. Do we compete?
At this time, Western Illinois University cheerleaders do not compete. However, we do work toward
preparing a routine which is performed at our annual “Yell Like Hell” Homecoming Pep Rally, in
addition to exhibition opportunities. As we continue to grow in fundraising and community
outreach, our opportunities to perform will only increase.
