SAN DIEGO — The USD Cheer Team is excited to announce tryouts for the upcoming 2025-26 season. This year marks the program's return to competitive cheer for the first time since the COVID pandemic, and the team is preparing for a milestone season filled with high-energy performances, national competitions, and continued growth.
The 2025-26 season will include participation in:

• NCAA Collegiate Camp – Las Vegas, NV
• USA Collegiate Championships – Anaheim/Disneyland
• NCAA Collegiate Nationals – Daytona Beach, FL

In addition to advancing their competitive goals, the program is also focused on expanding and diversifying the team, with an emphasis on recruiting male cheerleaders for the upcoming season.

Tryout Schedule

Open Practice

• Friday, May 9 | 3:00-5:00 PM
• California Allstars, San Marcos
• 501 N Twin Oaks Valley Rd, San Marcos, CA

Required Material Clinic

• Saturday, May 10 | 9:30 AM-12:00 PM
• USD Sports Center
• Torero Way, San Diego, CA
  (Search "University of San Diego Sports Center" for directions.)

Final Evaluation Day

• Sunday, May 11 | 9:30 AM-12:00 PM
• Jenny Craig Pavilion
• 5998 Alcala Park Way, San Diego, CA
  (Search "Jenny Craig Pavilion at University of San Diego" for directions.)

Evaluation Details

Candidates will be taught and evaluated on the following:

• USD Fight Song
• Performance dance
• Crowd leading segment
• Jumps
• Tumbling
• Stunts (in-person only)
• Interview (conducted via Zoom following the evaluations)

Virtual tryouts are accepted, but in-person participation is strongly encouraged and prioritized. Virtual candidates must participate in real-time via Zoom and submit a video demonstrating their tumbling and stunting skills by the conclusion of evaluations.

Required Documentation

All materials listed below must be submitted by May 5. Candidates who do not submit required paperwork will not be eligible to try out:

• Completed tryout packet
• Sickle cell test (available through USD Health Center or primary care provider)
• Physical completed within 6 months, with clinic stamp and physician signature

Recommended Skills (Not Required)

While not mandatory, the following skills are encouraged for candidates, especially those seeking competitive or flyer positions:
Jumps

• Toe Touch
• Front/Side Hurdler (L/R)
• Pike

Standing Tumbling

• Back Handspring
• Back Handspring Series
• Back Tuck

Running Tumbling

• Roundoff Back Handspring
• Roundoff Tuck
• Roundoff Layout

Flyer Flexibility

• Heel Stretches, Scales, Arabesques (L/R)
• Advanced positions such as scorpions or needles are optional but valued

Crowd Leading Skills

• Voice projection
• Use of props
• Sharp motion technique
• Ability to connect with the crowd

Important Dates

• Team Announcements: Sunday, May 11 at 5 PM (via email)
• Team Orientation: Monday, May 12 at 5 PM (via Zoom)
• Team Acceptance Confirmations: Friday, May 15 at 5 PM (via email)

Summer Schedule

• Practice & Conditioning Log Due: July 18
• Summer Camp: July 20-24
• Team Move-In and Practices (Tentative): August 17-29

They look forward to welcoming a new class of Torero Cheerleaders this season—athletes who are ready to perform, compete, and bring the spirit to USD!

For questions, tryout packet access, or additional information, please contact head coach Jaime Arroyo at jaimearroyo@sandiego.edu.

Stay connected with San Diego Cheer all year long by following along on Instagram @usdcheer and USDToreros.com. You can also never miss a game and add all USD Home Games to your Google Calendar.