The goal of the USM Cheerleading Squad is to encourage school spirit within athletics at the University of Saint Mary. The cheer squad supports all campus athletics and community events and performs at home games.

USM officially revied its cheerleading program in 2009 after a roughly ten-year hiatus of cheerleading on the main campus in Leavenworth. The cheer squad is under the direction of sponsor and admissions counselor Morgan Parris--a former cheerleader herself. The initial cheer team was over 20 strong.

In Fall 2011, the university will debut its new dance team. The dance squad is connected to, but distinct from, the cheerleading team. The dance team will have its own coach, and the university expects to field about a dozen dancers.

“Adding cheering and dance is a great step forward for our athletics program. This will truly add new excitement to the games for fans and athletes,” Athletic Director Rob Miller said, noting that the new cheer squad comes on the heels of the 2008 opening of the university’s first home field for the Spires Football team. “Every step we’ve taken in the last year is another step toward fully legitimizing this athletic program,” Miller added.

Previously, USM was the only school in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) without a cheer squad. USM had a smaller, non-uniformed squad in the ’90s.

The cheerleaders will be expected to perform at football and basketball games and will act as ambassadors of USM and its athletic department at other community events.

For more information on the Cheerleading program, call Morgan Parris at 913-682-5151, ext. 6414, or send email to parris68@stmary.edu.

FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions):

Are scholarships awarded?
Yes! Scholarships are given to first-time USM undergraduates with athletic talent and those who are in good academic standing.

Must I complete a physical before auditions?
No. For auditions, hopefuls simply need to sign the waiver provided at audition sessions. New squad members, however, need to complete a sports physical, complete medical paperwork, and obtain health insurance covering athletics before participating in summer practices. For forms and more information, visit www.stmary.edu/studentlife/health.asp on the web.

What are your tryout requirements?
Auditions for the 2009-2010 Cheerleading Squad take will place in March or April of 2009. New students must have applied to the university prior to auditions. Individual auditions will be permitted in April and May.

Tryout components:
Jumps – toetouch, herkie, hurdler, pike
Learn short cheer and dance from instructors
Stunting with squad members
Tumbling skills of your choice- (not required)