BISON COMPETITION CHEER Handbook
2014-2015
On behalf of coaching staff & boosters, welcome to Bison Cheer!
Competition Cheer is exciting, dynamic, and physically challenging. It continues to grow in
popularity and with that the level of stunting, tumbling and showmanship continues to
increase. There will be three Competition teams: Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Elementary
to suite your child’s age and skill set. Being a part of any squad will be physically
demanding, time consuming, and does come with some associated costs. However, the
upsides to being a part of this team are endless: friendships, sense of accomplishment,
pride, fitness, and so much more!
Practices, competitions, performances, and other events are mandatory. Please read this
packet carefully and share it with a parent, so that you can determine if Bison
Cheerleading is right for you. Feel free to call or email if you have any questions.
Varsity/JV Coach - Erin Miller
Elementary Coach – Cece Kulzer
erinschultz@uwalumni.com
kulzercece@hotmail.com
763.242.6223
612.619.8548
Bison Cheerleading Mission Statement
The motto of our high school is “Education beyond the Blackboard.” Our cheerleading team is
designed to promote this mission by encouraging academic success and aiding in the development of
skills like dedication, cooperation, responsibility, and respect. On the field, court, or competition mat
we use a combination of stunting, tumbling, jumps, and dance. These skills allow the cheerleading
team to promote school spirit off the field and on, to support our high school athletic teams and our
community, and to build well-rounded student athletes.
PLEASE READ THIS HANDBOOK IN ITS ENTIRETY PRIOR TO TRY OUTS.
Squads
Squad selections will be based on current skill level and potential. Team placements are never
final & each cheerleader has an opportunity to change teams based on his or her progression
throughout the season. Each cheerleader is expected to maintain the skills they have at tryouts.
Any additional skills he or she needs to achieve will be communicated by a coach and a deadline
will be set. Failure to get that skill by the deadline will likely result in a team placement change.
JV & Varsity will practice 2-3 times a week during the school year. Elementary will practice 1
time per week during the school year. Fall schedules for school activities aren’t set yet, so we
can’t book out our gym space yet & school year practice schedule is TBD. All competitions are
held on Saturdays or Sundays. Please refer to the calendar at bisoncheerboosters.com for more
details.
Varsity Competition Team: 12 members in 7-12 grades
This squad will compete in 7-8 local competitions, the Minnesota State Competition, and a
National Cheerleading Competition if eligible. This squad is very serious about
cheerleading and the highest expectations are placed on these squad members.
If Varsity members do not have the following 3 skills, it is expected that they will attend at
least one tumbling class/week outside of practice: jump to back handspring, front
handspring, round off-tuck.
Junior Varsity Competition Team: Up to 24 members in 7-12 grades
The JV comp squad will practice 2-3 times per week. They will compete in approximately
6-9 local competitions, with the possibility of participating in the Minnesota State
Competition. 2-4 JV members will be selected as Varsity alternates by the end of August.
Elementary School Team: Up to 24 members 6th grade & younger
This team will practice 1-2 times per week from September through the end of January.
They will compete in approximately 5 competitions local competitions, including State.
COST
Please see below for estimated costs associated with participation in the 2013-2014
competition cheerleading team. These costs include required purchases only, optional
apparel will also be available throughout the season, and if you choose to take advantage
of these, the total season expense will be higher than outlined below.
Estimated Costs
2013-2014 Season
Brand New
Returning
$$ Due at Parent
cheerleader Cheerleader
Meeting 5.22
Monthly Payment
$315/$265
$160, starting July
Varsity
$1,500⁺
$1,200*⁺
$315/$265
$160 in summer then $130
Junior Varsity
$1,000
$900
$150
Elementary/Middle School
$400
$200
*Please note ALL varsity squad members will need to have the custom bodyliner (approximately $74) &
warm ups (same style as previous years). If you don’t have these items and are returning, the cost will be
greater than listed.
⁺Should the varsity team qualify for Nationals, that will be an additional cost (approximately $1000)
SUMMER SCHEDULE
Varsity & Junior Varsity cheerleaders will practice during the summer on Monday &
Thursday evenings from 6-8 pm. Please check the calendar on bisoncheerboosters.com
for additional practice/parade/camp times.
TUMBLING
We will have a team class at Jon’s Gymnastics (located in St. Michael) Wednesdays from
7:45-8:45pm during the summer. Only BHS cheerleaders will be allowed to participate.
The cost is $60 a month for each girl. This is optional, because there is an additional cost,
but this extra practice time is strongly encouraged.
CAMP (Varsity & JV Only)
UCA Stunt Camp at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, 7/14-7/17, $324-$360
Every summer the Bison Cheerleaders attend a summer camp. Here they will learn new
cheers, chants, and dances. They will also work on proper stunting and jumping
techniques. The team also has a lot of fun! On the last day, there is a competition, to
show off what the squad has learned to parents, family, and the other cheer teams at the
camp. If your child has a conflict with the camp dates, please let coaches know ASAP.
COMMITMENT
When you elect to try out for Bison Competition cheerleading, you are making a
commitment to complete the season. If you quit, or are removed from the squad for any
reason, you are still responsible for any outstanding financial debt to the team.
FUNDRAISING
The Bison Cheer Boosters plan and execute all fundraisers. Most fundraising events are
mandatory for team members and parent involvement is essential to their success. All
parents are encouraged to take part in and help out with fundraising activities. There will
be at least one fundraiser that will allow cheerleaders to raise money for apparel, camp, &
nationals expenses. The other fundraisers will benefit the team in its entirety. Please be
aware there may be some fundraisers where the cheerleaders are required to sell (or pay
for on their own) a certain number of tickets or items.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Absences are only excused if the coach is notified in writing, by phone, or by email 24
hours before the practice/event, unless it is a medical emergency.
Excused Absences: (ONLY at coach’s discretion)
 Major illness or injury, death in the family
 Maximum of one-week vacation/camp (3 practices max) during summer
 Major Religious Holiday that you routinely celebrate
 Mandatory school function or college visit
Unexcused:
 Cold, sniffles, minor injury, aches/pains
 Work, no ride, didn’t know about event, where or when
 Homework, after school make-ups
You must be in school during the day to attend practice. Exceptions are for school related
activities like fieldtrips. Do not stay home from school and then come to practice. If you
miss a practice during the week due to illness, it will be up to the coach’s discretion if you
will cheer at that week/weekend’s event or competition. If you are out of practice due to
injury you will not be allowed to practice until you provide a doctor or trainer’s note
clearing you to participate. You will still be expected to attend all practices & games.
Penalties:
Attendance will be recorded for each practice/event. Tardiness will be recorded and will
constitute a penalty to be completed before the individual can commence with the team
practice.
 One Unexcused Absence= sit out from event/competition
 Three Unexcused Absences= Removal from the team
 Excessive tardiness = unexcused absence
Even a legitimate excuse may be counted as unexcused if you fail to properly report
your absence. Excused and unexcused may only be determined by the coach.
CONDUCT
Team members represent our school at all times. Cheerleaders must act in a mature
manner and with respect for those around them. Team members will make responsible
decisions about how they spend their time outside of scheduled team time. Coaches will
deal with conduct incidents on an individual basis with penalties ranging from probation
to removal from the team.
This means that for ANY conduct violation, in or outside of a scheduled cheerleading
event, during the season or not, cheerleaders may serve a suspension or be removed
from the team.
School is the reason you are here, and school will be your number one priority. Below are
the expectations for every student athlete involved in the spirit program:
 Students must be enrolled in ISD 877 school
 Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average
 Schedules will be turned in at the beginning of each semester
 Grade checks will be issued and due at various times throughout the season
GENERAL TEAM RULES
Apparel and Accessories
 Practice clothes must always include shorts, t-shirt and cheerleading shoes
 No jewelry of any kind may be worn at practice or performances
 Hair must be in a pony tail and pinned out of the face at all times
 No acrylic nails. Nails must not be seen beyond fingertips
 Complete uniform or dress code will be worn when scheduled
 Use and return of the uniform is required
Transportation
 You are responsible for transportation to/from practices
 Carpools will be set up prior to each competition
 Appropriate behavior will take place while in transit to/from competitions
WEIGHT TRAINING and CONDITIONING
It is expected that all BHS Cheerleaders work on their physical fitness and skills outside of
practice. Suggestions for daily workouts are frequently given during practice, and
sometimes a printed out work out regime is provided. Speak with the coaching staff if
you would like to know what you should be working on at home.