Everything you need to know about the Jacksonville State University Gamecocks!

JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY

Jacksonville, AL

COACHING STAFF

Head Cheerleading Coach: Robert Conroy

Coach's Contact Info:  


Phone : (401) 935-4886

E-mail: rjconroy@jsu.edu

Head Dance Coach: Noelle Stovall

Coach's Contact Info:  


E-mail: noellestovall@gmail.com

SPIRIT SQUAD DETAILS

Website: jsugamecocksports.com

Team Colors: Red and White

Team Mascot: Gamecocks, "Cocky"

Sports Conference: Ohio Valley Conference

Programs Offered: Small Coed Cheer, All Girl Cheer, Dance Team, Mascot

Cheer Team Details:

We are a small school in Jacksonville, AL in North Alabama about an hour from Birmingham. We cheer for all football games, as well as home basketball and volleyball. 

Dance Team Details:

Under the direction of Kenneth Bodiford since 1994, the Ballerinas have become increasingly more integrated into the band’s overall show design. In addition to being spotlighted in one song in the middle of the show, the Ballerinas are now featured throughout the performance, using modern dance (including ballet and jazz), costumes and joining the color guard in dramatic flagwork to paint a stunning visual portrait. The transition to the modern era a Ballerinas began in 1999. The change came with some support and much back lash. The Ballerinas of the early 2000’s were trailblazers for the lines to follow. They pushed their limits and the style of the Ballerinas with heads held high. Since these years, the Ballerinas have continued to amaze the crowd with the level of difficulty in their performance. The modern lines now must learn and perfect two completely different styles of dance.

Combined with the powerful sounds of the Marching Southerners, the Ballerinas have brought cheering audiences to their feet at exhibitions across the Southeast, at B.O.A. Grand Nationals in Indianapolis, and in the streets of New York City, home of the Rockettes and even London, England; and every fall, in parades and at football games, the Ballerinas don their traditional uniforms and tasseled boots to thrill the crowds once again with beautiful smiles, precise “head pops” and spectacular kicks, paying tribute to that original line in 1956 and to all the lovely ladies that have followed. Ballerinas are a mixture of tradition and innovation.

Social Media Handles: 

• Instagram: @jsu_cheer
• Twitter: @JSU_Cheer

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

Scholarships Offered: Yes

Cheer Scholarship Details: JSU Cheer gives out a few scholarships based on talent and GPA. Our GPA to be on the team is a 2.5

Dance Scholarship Details: JSU Dance does not offer scholarships at this time.

Mascot Scholarship Details: We give out a few scholarships based on talent and GPA. Our GPA to be on the team is a 2.5

TRYOUT INFORMATION

CHEER:

Tryout and Clinic Dates: Tryouts for next year are in May of 2019. Clinics will be held in November 2018 and December 2018.

Coed Tryout Requirements:

• Tumbling - Standing tuck and round off handspring tuck/layout/full.
• Stunting - Toss extension. 

All Girl Tryout Requirements:

• Tumbling - Standing tuck and round off handspring tuck/layout/full.
• Stunting - Full up. 

DANCE:

Audition and Clinic Dates: Both tryouts and clinics take place in the spring.

Audition Details:

Each spring, dozens of young ladies try out for the South's most beloved college danceline. Ballerina candidates are made up of high school seniors, JSU students, transferring college students, and returning Marching Ballerinas. All potential Ballerinas must be accepted to or attending JSU by the first day of clinics.

The audition season begins with an interest meeting in spring. Potential and returning Ballerinas receive information about the Marching Ballerina organization, the upcoming season and the audition process. This is a great time to see what being a Ballerina is all about and have any questions answered. Attendance of this meeting is not mandatory; however, if you cannot attend contact us for the audition packet and detailed audition information.

During the clinic weekend in the spring, the Marching Ballerinas' dance styles are taught and applied to audition routines. At clinics, potential Marching Ballerina will learn two audition routines, a traditional and modern dance. Our traditional or kickline style dates back over 50 years and is modeled after the Radio City Rockettes. The modern dance is a jazz dance ranging in styles depending on the year and the season's show theme. At the end of the second clinic day, candidates will participate in first cut auditions. The MB leadership decides first cuts and will invite approx. 50 candidates to final auditions the following weekend. With the direction of a panel of highly qualified judges, the Marching Ballerinas will be chosen and posted after final auditions in the "boot" for all to see!

MASCOT:

Tryout Dates: On going.

Mascot Details: Our Mascot team is vital to our game day experience. Being a small community, Cocky is known and loved throughout the community

Competition Involvement: JSU Cheer will compete at the UCA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship this year for the first time since the 2000's.