St. Bonaventure University Cheerleading

More SBU Cheerleading Photos

About The SBU Cheerleading Program 

How many team members do you take each year?
We usually take about 18, however if there are more girls and guys that tryout, then we will consider taking anywhere from 20-25 members.  We have an all-girl squad now but guys are encouraged to tryout as well.

What are some of the activities the team participates in?
We cheer at all of the Men’s and Women’s home Basketball games. We travel with the men to A10’s in March. We also participate in various community events and fundraisers throughout the year.

Do you all receive scholarships?
We are trying to get them for cheerleaders, however, at this time we don’t.

What is the practice schedule?
We practice 4 out of 5 days a week for about 2-3 hours a day. This is usually at the beginning of the season. Once we have started the season we have practice 3 times a week for 2-3 hours. We have required workouts 2 days a week in the mornings.

Cheer Clinic

If you would like information please contact the coaches.

Tryout Information

Tryout Information Flyer

When and where are cheerleading tryouts?
Cheerleading tryouts will be held September 5-9, 2011 at Butler Gym, located behind the Reilly Center. It will start at 6:30 and go till 8:30-9.

What do I need to bring with me to tryouts?
- A COPY of your SBU Card (for current students) or acceptance letter (for incoming freshmen)
- A COPY of your insurance card (front and back)
- Completed application form Application Form | Medical Release Form
- Current picture (need to be a current photo and must fit in the box on the tryout form)

Are incoming freshmen, seniors, or Graduate Students allowed to try out?
Freshmen and seniors are allowed to tryout, but we do not allow graduate students. 

Do the current cheerleaders have to tryout each year?
Yes. We understand that cheerleading is a highly competitive team and that every year a member must earn their spot.

What characteristics do you look for during tryouts and why?
We are looking for individuals who represent the "all around" cheerleader.  Yes skills are important, but so is the way you carry yourself and the way you communicate with the coaching staff and other students trying out for the team.  The way our tryouts are held shows us who will be able to handle the work load and pressure of what an average week of practice would be like due to the type of skill level needed and the ability to learn material quickly. 

Our main focus is athletic events, so you must be a GREAT game cheerleader as well as a great representative of our team and community.  A lot of what we do in the SBU spirit programs is community related events, therefore we must have individuals who speak well with strangers and are comfortable representing SBU at all times.

What are the requirements to be an SBU cheerleader?
We put BASIC required skills on this site, but more may be required of you as you go along further in the tryout process.  

TUMLBING SKILLS: Not required but always welcomed
-Standing back tuck, back handspring back tuck, toe touch back tuck
-Round off back handspring layout

STUNTING SKILLS:
If you are an all-girl cheerleader, you will not have to do all three positions for tryouts.  You will do what you are comfortable at and what you are best at.  If you excel in more than one position, you are able to try out for more than one position.  You MUST tryout with the other individuals that are trying out, you cannot bring your own stunt partner or stunt group. There will be more as we go along with tryouts and the season.

-Extension -Liberty -Stretch – Toss – Aero Bess -

There will be more as we go along with tryouts and the season.

Appearances

{Application not available yet}

Coaches

Makenna Rosati - Head Cheerleading Coach- mrosati@sbu.edu
Makenna is originally from Rochester, New York. She is a graduate from St. Bonaventure with a Masters in School Counseling. All through high school she cheered and danced. After her first year as an SBU cheerleader she played Women’s Rugby for the remainder of her college years. Makenna came to St. Bonaventure in August of 2008. This year will be her fourth year coaching.










Jennifer L. Medders - Assistant Cheerleading Coach- jmedders4@gmail.com
Jennifer moved from the South to the North in hopes that it would be cooler. She was a gymnast starting at the age of 5. She first joined cheerleading when she was a freshman in high school and made the Varsity squad at First Coast High School. After graduating high school Jennifer went on to coach for the Jacksonville Pop Warner Cheerleading, coaching kids from mascots up to middle school. After 3 years of coaching little ones, she decided to audition for the Jacksonville Jaguars. She made the team after her second audition. Jennifer was a member of the JAGS from 2004-2005. Now currently living in Olean NY, she continues to coach the Allegany Midget Cheerleading along with the 3 years with SBU Cheerleading.