Five to Fight: A Campaign for Iona University Athletics

Join Gael Nation December 1-7 to show your support for Iona's Division I programs!

Iona University Cheerleading

Two Iona Cheerleading Team members on a field, posing and smiling for a photo.

The Iona University Cheerleading team cultivates powerful, passionate, and talented athletes who embody and uphold Iona’s spirit and traditions. Through unwavering support for Iona's teams both on and off campus, we unify the Iona community and ignite Gael pride with exceptional leadership, steadfast perseverance, and unmatched sportsmanship.

Iona Cheerleading Team group photo posing and smiling on a field.

Join Iona Cheer if you are looking to:

Be a part of a growing and ambitious team.
Develop your skills in dance, cheer, stunts and tumbling.
Play a leading and supporting role in multiple on and off campus activities.
Learn leadership and perseverance through hard work and dedication!

What to Expect

Performances:

The Cheer Team performs on campus including

Iona Men's and Women's Basketball games (approximately 30 games) and at various campus and local events.
We compete at UCA College Nationals in Orlando, FL in January.
We travel to the MAAC Tournament in March in Atlantic City, NJ.

Responsibilities:

Iona Cheerleaders should attain the necessary athletic skills, be team oriented and have school spirit. Members must be dedicated to representing the school and their team in a professional manner. Being a part of the Cheer Team is a rewarding and fun experience, but also comes with commitment to ALL practices, games and performances. Each Cheerleader is required to maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA. Cheerleaders are also responsible for covering all expenses related to uniforms, travel, and other team-related costs throughout the season.

Time Commitment

Full year commitment
3 practices a week (3 hours each), held in the late afternoon/evening.
2-3 summer practices
Weekly running and conditioning (all year)
Attendance at weekly games, which include home Men and Women's Basketball games, monthly team bonding, and other community-based events.
Team bonding, community service, workouts and study hours will be shared when you make the team.

CHEERLEADING TRYOUTS

Spring Tryout

TRYOUT FAQ’S

No, all IU cheerleading practices and tryouts are CLOSED to spectators.

Water bottle, lunch/snacks, braces/wrap (if used), positive attitude and an open mindset!

Yes, we will take alternates. Alternates can earn a spot on the competitive floor at any time.

Yes! We strongly encourage tumbling, but this is NOT a current requirement. You are evaluated on multiple cheerleading skills.

Clothing: Fitted athletic t-shirt or tank, sports bra, spandex and/or athletic shorts, cheer sneakers. NO baggy tshirts.
Game Day Ready Hair/Make Up
- A slicked back ponytail
- Performance ready make up
NO JEWELRY is permitted to be worn, we follow all USA Cheer rules and regulations.
Fingernails MUST be cut/filed short. No tips/acrylic nails. We will turn away athletes whose nails pose a safety risk.

Material

This playlist contains five videos which will help you learn the Fight Song Cheer:

Fight Song with Music
Fight Song (Music Only)
Fight Song BACK with counts
Fight Song FRONT with counts
Full Cheer – FRONT and BACK

TRYOUT REQUIREMENTS

Stunting (Required):

J Up to extension
Straight up lib
Clean dismount (pop off or cradle)
Shoulder stand

Stunting (Preferred):

Lib full down
Single leg body position
Switch up
Full up
Round off up
BHS up

Jumps (required)

Two jumps (one toe touch + jump of choice)

Tumbling

Not a requirement, however strongly encouraged.

Preferred Standing skills:

BHS
Tuck

Preferred Running Skills:

R/O BHS or R/O Tuck
R/O BHS Tuck
Specialty passes

Coed Skills

Please email mvlad@iona.edu for tryout requirements. Stunting expectations for Coed tryouts are Toss hands pop off or step to hands pop off.

Please note that other complimentary/equal skills will also be taken into consideration in addition to overall sense of enthusiasm, contribution and spirit. We expect proper technique to be used for all skills. Changes to tryout material are at the discretion of the Head Coach.