Why BYU Cheer & Dance?

Athletic Excellence

The BYU Spirit Squad is part of the Athletic Department which has had many NCAA team championships, All-Americans and Conference Championships. Brigham Young University is currently Independanct in Football and part of the West Coast Conference (www.wccsports.com ) in most of its other sports.This has created at tradition of excellence in the BYU Atletic Department. Today, success thrives in 21 varsity sports. BYU has been ranked among the best all-around athletic departments in the Sears Cup standings.

Big Crowds

There is nothing quite like LaVell Edwards Stadium, where over 65,000 screaming fans electrify the game-day experience. Rated the best stadium atmosphere in the Mountain West by Sporting News (April, 2000), BYU is home to some of the most loyal fans in the country.

Facilities

Practices:

The BYU Cheer Squad enjoys an impressive practice facility in the Smith Fieldhouse with over 9,000 square feet of mats, pits, and a trampoline. To reduce injury and help create a safe atmosphere the squad practices on BYU gymnastics team's spring floor. 

The Cougarettes:  Have state of the art Dance Studio's with wood floors, mirrors and sound systems to enhance their training and performing preparations. 

Football Games: Expanded in 1982 to seat 65,000, LaVell Edwards Stadium is considered one of the nation's finest natural grass/artificial turf fields.  BYU also has a state of the art Indoor Practice Facility to enhance practices during inclement weather.
Basketball Games: The BYU Spirit Squad enjoys performing at the 22,700 seat Marriot Center. Great home crowds add to the Marriot Center Magic as the team has an excellent home win record.

Athletic Training

The BYU Spirit Squad, Cheer and Cougarettes, each have their own fulltime athletic trainer to help prevent injury. BYU has a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center with nearly 10,000 feet of working space that ranks among the nation's best. It features 106 stations to accomodate both female and male athletes. BYU's strength and conditioning staff includes team physicians, team orthopedic surgeons, certified athletic trainers, a physical therapist, dietician, sports psychologist and a wide variety of other medical specialists.

AACCA

All of BYU's Coaches and Coordinators are certified througth the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators.  BYU is vigilant in insuring that our stuent athletes/cheerleaders are trained under AACCA guidelines and that we adhere to all guidelines within all game situations and competitions. 

Academics

BYU has a high commitment to academics and graduation, with a full-time Athletic Department Academic Advisement staff, mentor and tutor programs, and is a member of the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Program.  Spirit Squad members are not NCAA sanctioned and as such, do not have access to our SAAC. 

Unique Atmosphere

BYU provides an opportunity to grow mentally, physically and spiritually. Sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BYU encourages religious learning in addition to a secular education, while its honor code requires a drug and alcohol-free commitment from its students, helping them to focus on academic and athletic endeavors. The atmosphere of the BYU Spirit Squad is a unique blend of Excellence, Athleticism, Artistry, and Spirituality.

Sponsorships

BYU's Spirit Squad members uniforms and most of their gear is provided for by the University.  Some personal items (practice attire, undergarments, etc.) are paid for by the individual.  BYU is a NIKE sponsored school which also covers the Spirit Squad.  

Scholarships

BYU's Spirit Squad members receive partial tuition scholarships. Scholarships are offered to each member of our Cheer Squad and Cougarettes.  The amount awarded is based upon Seniority (years on the Squad), and Leadership within the Squad.  Additionally, travel to all away games is provided for by the university.  Travel Squad is comprised of 8-12 cheerleaders for each away game and travel is determined by Coaches. 

Competitions

BYU's Cougarettes are the current (2017)Dance Team Union College Classic 1A Hip Hop Champions as well as New Prague Dance Festival Grand Prix International Champions as well as 2017 World Dance Movement Champions in Jazz Small & Large Group, Hip Hop, and Open Dance.  They are 16-time NDA National Champions ('97, '98, '99, '01, '05, '06 '07, '10, '11,'12 '13x2, '14, '15x2, '16)  They also hold 2 USA National titles (2005 & 2006).  

The BYU Cheer Squad are current International Champions after placing first at the Aussie Gold International Cheer Championships in Brisbane Australia! They also were awarded the title of "highest scoring university". The Cheer Squad placed 4th in Small CoEd 1A at NCA 2013 College Nationals .  The Cheer Squad holds three USA National Championship titles (2004, 2012).   In 2011 they placed 2nd in Small CoEd at USA Nationals and also have two other 2nd place finishes at national competitions.

Big Games

BYU'S new partnership with ESPN as well as Privately owned BYUtv has give BYU an even broader range and more opportunities to be viewed by thousands of households.  Upcoming games include Ole Miss, Texas, Notre Dame, etc. giving the Cougars the opportunity to display their talents to a national audience against some of the nation's best competition.