Mifflin County
Cheerleading Handbook
2014-2015
Head Coach: Collette Bender
Junior Varsity Coach: Kierstin Walker
Freshman and Jr. High Coach: Jennifer Johnson
Contacts
Collette Bender, Head Coach
Email: ceb29@mcsdk12.org
Kierstin Walker, Junior Varsity Coach
Email: kaw5306@gmail.com
Jennifer Johnson, Freshman and Jr. High Coach
Email: johnson380@verizon.net
*Please do NOT contact a coach after 9:00 p.m.
*Please contact your immediate coach BEFORE
contacting the head coach.
*Please do NOT contact any coach using instant
messaging, Facebook, or Twitter.
ATTITUDE AND
ABSENCE CAN BE THE
DOWNFALL OF A GREAT
CHEERLEADING SQUAD!!!
IF YOU ARE
RESPECTFUL,
DEDICATED, AND
MAINTAIN A POSITIVE
ATTITUDE THE REST OF
THIS HANDBOOK WILL
NOT BE NECESSARY!
Responsibilities of a Cheerleader
The primary responsibility of a cheerleader is to promote school spirit, motivate others, and be a
positive, responsible, respectable role model when representing the school and community.
Cheerleader Responsibilities Include:
 Behave appropriately and responsibly at all times.
 Positively represent the squad, coaches, school, and community by upholding a good
reputation.
 Show RESPECT to other athletes, coaches, administrators, teachers, and fans.
 Maintain a positive and responsible attitude. Leave the drama at home.
 Be prepared and on time for each event and practice.
 Maintain an appropriate GPA
 Maintain appropriate cyber behavior. Inappropriate behavior (i.e. vulgar language,
inappropriate images) brought to the coach’s attention will be reported to your parents.
Sideline Cheering Squad Formation:
Varsity: Eligibility will be 10th, 11th, and 12th but squad will be primarily Juniors and Seniors.
Fall Season: Home and Away football games.
Winter Season: Home boys and girls basketball, share Home wrestling
Playoff games: Football and boys/girls basketball
Junior Varsity: Eligibility will be 10th and 11th grade
Fall Season: Home football games
Winter Season: Home boys and girls basketball, share Home wrestling.
Freshman team: Eligibility will be 9th graders
Fall Season: home 9th grade football games.
Winter season: home 9th grade boys/girls basketball, share wrestling
Jr. High: Eligibility will be 7th/8th grade
Fall Season: home 7th/8th grade games
Winter Season: home 7th/8th grade boys/girls basketball, share wrestling
*Please note: depending on numbers, Freshman/Jr. High squads and JV/Varsity squads may be
combined.
Competition Cheerleading Squad Formation:
***PIAA rules state to be on a competition squad you must cheer ONE FULL SEASON on a
school squad (fall or winter),
Varsity Competition Squad: Eligibility 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th grade.
Jr. High Competition Squad: Eligibility 7th, 8th, 9th grade.
ALL EVENTS ARE MANDATORY requiring FULL DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO THE
TEAM!!!



Huskies Competition team must be first priority over outside competitive teams.
In the event that our high school team and your All Star team compete on the same day
at the same location you MUST have a parent sign you out in order to stay. NO
EXCEPTIONS! You are required to ride the bus to all competitions with the team in
order to compete.
Attendance is required at all practices and competitions. Please try to avoid scheduling
all appointments during these times. Unless you are sick or have a death in the family,
you must be at practice. You will be required to submit a doctor’s excuse for any missed
practices (unless you are not in school). Three or more absences could result in
dismissal from the team.

All Mifflin County Cheerleading teams will adhere to the PIAA
requirements for grades, attendance, drug, and alcohol policies.
Academics
Academic requirements of all squad members include:
*Academics are important! Every squad member will be expected to maintain
Academics as their first priority!!!
*Any cheerleader who has a D in any subject will be required to seek extra
help in that subject.
School Attendance
All cheerleaders must be in school by 9:30 am to be eligible to participate in practice or events that
day. If you have a doctor’s appointment and cannot make it by 9:30 am, you must turn in a note the
day before to be excused.
Varsity Letter
As a member of the high school varsity squad, a varsity letter will be earned upon the completion of
both the fall and winter/competition season. You must cheer two seasons to letter.
Big 33 Nomination
As a member of a high school scholastic squad, you may be nominated to represent MCHS in the Big
33 All-Star Football game. Each year a school can nominate up to four Seniors to try out. In order
to be considered for nomination:
 You must be in good academic standing (No D/E’s for the season of nomination).
 You must have cheered both seasons at JV or Varsity level. You must currently be
cheering at the time of nomination (which is in the winter).
 You must have tumbling skills preferred by Big 33.
Practices
**ALL PRACTICES ARE CLOSED!!! Parents, family members, friends, significant others, etc. are
NOT permitted at practice.
All cheerleaders MUST be picked up ON TIME from each practice or event. If an emergency
occurs, please arrange for another parent to transport your child. We all have families to get home
to.
-Coaches are not permitted to take cheerleaders home.
-Practices are scheduled at the discretion of the coach. Coaches have the right to declare practice
mandatory within a minimum of one week. Cheerleaders will face consequences for not attending a
mandatory practice.
-personal needs must be taken care of before or after practice.
Practice Attendance
*Schedules are given well in advance in order to help you plan appointments and work schedules. Do
all you can to avoid scheduling things on days of practice or events. Please schedule all vacations
before Aug. 4th as pre-season will go quickly before the first game.
*UNLESS YOU ARE SICK OR THERE IS A DEATH IN THE FAMILY, YOU SHOULD BE AT
ALL MANDATORY PRACTICES. Emergencies happen, talk to the coach as soon as possible.
Absences are excused at the discretion of the coach.
*Cheerleaders are required to be at all scheduled practices and events for the ENTIRE time. In
the event of a last minute schedule change, coaches will be flexible.
*WORK IS NOT AN EXCUSED ABSENCE!
*If you miss a practice, you are required to make up all the missed material before the next
practice. We are NOT required to hold your place in the line-up or your stunting position if you are
absent.
*If a cheerleader cannot make practice he/she is responsible for informing the coach prior to the
absence. A friend or another cheerleader is not responsible for telling the coach!
*If you miss a practice and do not call the coach before, you will sit out in uniform for the next
event.
*School cancellations and early dismissals due to weather will result in no practice or event.
Unexcused Practice Tardiness
*If you are late for practice, a verbal warning will be issued and you will be required to run extra
laps after practice.
*If you are tardy a third time in a single season, you will be suspended for one week while still
attending practices.
*If you are tardy on a fourth occurrence in a single season, you will be dismissed from the squad.
Unexcused Absences (from practice)
1st offense: Written warning: benched for the next event.
2nd offense: Written warning: benched for a week (attending all practices and sitting out for all
events in uniform).
3rd offense: Written warning: benched for an additional week and possible dismissal.
Events
*UNLESS YOU ARE SICK OR THERE IS A DEATH IN THE FAMILY, YOU SHOULD BE AT
ALL EVENTS. Emergencies happen, talk to the coach as soon as possible. Absences are
excused at the discretion of the coach.
*Cheerleaders are expected to arrive on time and in full uniform for all events. This means your
complete uniform, sneakers, hair is pulled up, bow in.
*If you fail to show up to an event without informing the coach in advance, you will sit out the next
event in uniform.
*You are required to bring ALL parts of your uniform to EACH event. Including uniform, hair bow,
sneakers, warm-up, poms, and team sweatshirt.
*Cheerleaders will not be permitted to socialize with fans or friends while cheering.
*If a break is given, you must return to the field or bench on time. Returning late may result in
sitting out for the remainder of the game.
*No public displays of affection while in uniform or on school property will be tolerated (i.e. holding
hands, touching, kissing, etc.).
*All cheerleaders must smile and cheer the entire event.
*Cheerleaders must clean up entire area before being dismissed.
*While cheering, water and sports drinks are the only drinks allowed on the field. They must be in
a closed plastic bottle.
*When a cheerleader cannot make an event, he/she is responsible for informing the coach prior to
the event. A friend or another cheerleader is not responsible for telling the coach.
*All Varsity cheerleaders must travel by bus to the field for all home events and back to the
school. Cheerleaders will only be dismissed from MCHS when all equipment is put away.
Unexcused Event Absences
1st offense: benched for the next event.
2nd offense: benched for a week of events, while still attending practices and sitting out in full
uniform.
3rde offense: dismissal from the squad.
Away Events
*Cheerleaders must be on time for all events. The bus will not wait for late cheerleaders.
*You are representing your school; ALWAYS act with respect and integrity while visiting another
school.
*All cheerleaders must travel by bus to the events.
*Cheerleaders are ONLY ALLOWED TO BE RELEASED TO A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN after
an away event. The parent must sign the cheerleader out with the coach before the game or at
halftime. Please do not wait until after the game to complete paperwork as we will not hold up the
bus for departure.
*No loud talking, singing, laughing, or screaming on the bus during away events.
*Any music must have a headset.
*Cheerleaders are not permitted to use hairspray, lotions, body sprays, or perfumes while on the
bus.
General Rules for Practices and Events
*NO CELL PHONES DURING PRACTICES OR EVENTS. Cell phones may only be used to call for
a ride with the coach’s approval. If it becomes a problem, cell phones will be collected before a
practice or event and be returned at the conclusion of the event.
*No candy, gum, or food during practice or event (unless a break is given during an event).
*Perform and hairspray must be sprayed in the bathroom only. Never spray perfume or hairspray in
the gym, lobby, cafeteria, or on bus.
*Do not go upstairs before, after, or during practices or events. If you need something from your
locker, a coach must escort you.
*Disrespect toward coaches, officials, squad members, teachers, volunteers, or fans will NOT be
tolerated. Lack of respect will be cause for immediate dismissal.
*Disrespect, name calling, or rumors of any kind using Instant messaging, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
will not be tolerated. You are responsible for the messages sent using your screen name.
*All money and forms must be handed in on time.
*All cheerleaders will participate in fundraising or pay “buy-out” option.
*Bags and personal items must be placed at coach’s designated location. Cheerleaders are not
permitted to get in their bags unless on a break or they have permission from the coach.
Equipment and Uniforms
Each squad member will be issued one vest and one skirt. These items belong to the school and
must be returned at the end of each season, if you quit, or in the event of dismissal. All uniforms
MUST BE RETURNED FREE OF STAINS OR MARKINGS. If they are not returned in good
condition, you will be charged for the stained or missing items.
*NEVER cut any uniform. There will be no altering of the top or bottom with the exception
of moving a button and that is it! Skirts should NOT be taken in or hemmed.
*Never spray poms with perfume, etc.
*Never use a hot iron on poms.
*Never leave any uniform or poms in the sun or in a hot car. They will fade.
*Each cheerleader must purchase the following:
Team sneakers, bodysuit, bloomers, hair bow, socks, warm up, team sweatshirt, and poms. These
items are considered personal items and are yours to keep. They must be kept clean at all times.
At least one fundraiser will be offered to off-set the cost of equipment.
Uniform and Practice Dress Code
*All cheerleaders are to be in complete uniform for each event. Including sneakers, uniform, hair
bow, socks, and poms. Consequences will be enforced for any cheerleader without her equipment. A
football player cannot play without a helmet or cleats, and a cheerleader will not participate
without her equipment.
*Uniforms and sneakers must be kept clean. Team issued sneakers must be tied and worn at all
events.
* Hair must be pulled completely up during events and practices unless prior approval was given by a
coach.
*ABSOLUTELY NO JEWELRY PERMITTED! This is a PIAA safety rule and we will adhere to it
strictly. This includes earrings, facial piercings, and belly rings. All piercings must be removed
while in uniform. This includes walking into an event. Do NOT get any new piercings during
cheerleading. Cheerleaders will NOT be permitted to practice or cheer at an event until all jewelry
is removed to be in compliance with PIAA.
*Fingernails should not be visible beyond the end of the fingertip when viewed from the palm side
of the hand while holding it in a vertical position. ABSOLUTELY NO FAKE NAILS!!! Only clear nail
polish may be worn for an event.
*Cheerleaders are required to wear shorts, sneakers, socks, and a tshirt to practice. Bra straps
and stomach should not be visible. No cut out tshirts allowed as they are a safety hazard when
stunting.
Fundraising
*All cheerleaders will be expected to participate in all fundraising activities. Fundraisers may be
offered to help with the costs of equipment and camp. This money will be placed in the girls’
individual account. *We will be hosting our own competition at MCHS on November 22nd. All families
will be required to help since much help is needed to make it an event teams will want to return to
and money raised will benefit all cheerleaders. Anyone choosing to not participate in fundraising
will be required to pay the “buy-out” option.
Volunteering
Each cheerleader will be asked to participate in at least one community service project throughout
the season. Volunteering and giving to others is one way of building character and being a role
model to others.
Cheer Captains
Captains will be chosen for each cheer season at the Varsity level. Seniors interested in being a
Cheer Captain should inform coaches of interest when regular season practices begin. Interviews
will be conducted by coaching staff and selections will be made. Cheer Captain responsibilities will
include calling cheers at events, assisting with warm-up/stretching drills, motivating and assisting
squad members, and organizational activities, etc. A cheer captain is NOT the complaint
department. If you have a question, concern, or problem talk to the coach directly.
Parent/Coach Code of Conduct
*All practices are closed to parents, family members, friends, etc.
*Please pick up your child on time. If you are unable to be punctual, please make arrangements with
another parent. Emergencies happen, but habitual tardiness will not be tolerated as we all have
families to get to.
*Concerns should not be addressed at practices or events in front of another squad member. If
you have a concern, please call and talk to coaches in a calm, respectful manner. We can only talk to
you about your child. Please do not ask us questions about another cheerleader.
*Please call your immediate coach before calling the Head Coach if you have a concern. Most issues
can be handled at the cheerleading level. If issues cannot be resolved, a meeting will be scheduled
with the Athletic Director.
*Please do not call a volunteer coach with a cheerleading issue. Call the direct coach.
School Disciplinary Actions
All rules are consistent with the Athletic Regulations of the Mifflin County School District. These
rules apply from the start of the first practice to the end of the final play-off game.
*Possession of alcohol or illegal drugs on school property, at any school event or proven admitted
use of alcohol or illegal drugs, whether during a school function or any non-school function warrants
immediate dismissal from the team.
*The use of tobacco products will result in a one week suspension.
*Abuse of early dismissals warrants the following discipline:
1st offense: one week suspension
2nd offense: two week suspension
3rd offense: dismissal from the squad.
*Suspension is defined as no participation or attendance at any interscholastic athletic contest.
However, the suspended student will still practice. A “week” is defined as a seven day period and
suspension begins immediately following the infraction.
*Detention: 1st offense: warning, 2nd offense: one week suspension, 3rd offense: dismissal from the
squad. Detention is defined as one penalty for each separate incident even though more than one
detention may be assigned for each incident.
*In-school suspension: 1st offense: 10 days no participation suspension, 2 nd offense: dismissal
from the squad.
*Out of School Suspension: (the following is more stringent than the Athletic regulations of
MCSD) 1st offense: 10 days no participation suspension, 2 nd offense: dismissal from the squad.
*Misconduct on the bus or shuttle: (the following is more stringent than the Athletic
regulations of MCSD) 1st offense: one week suspension, 2 nd offense: dismissal from the squad.
**The following will lead to IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL from the squad:
*arrest (pending investigation by coaching staff and school officials)
*stealing (dismissal plus reparations)
*vandalism or destruction of property (dismissal plus reparations)
*physical altercation
*obscene gestures will result in minimum of one week suspension and possible
dismissal.
*outbursts toward officials, fans, or another player.
*disrespect toward a coach.
Safety and Stunting Rules
*Coaches may end stunting at their discretion due to safety concerns or rule infractions.
*Never stunt or tumble without a paid coach present.
*Always warm up before cheering or stunting.
*Always use attentive spotters when stunting. ALWAYS BE ALERT!!!
*Always use mats or grassy areas when practicing (when possible).
*Never stunt on concrete or wet surfaces.
*Never laugh, talk, scream, or joke when stunting. Take all activity seriously.
*Report any and all injuries immediately to the coach. This is what the trainer is paid for.
*Always wear sneakers and appropriate clothing. No slippery warm ups.
*Never stunt in warm up pants.
*Never put lotion on before stunting.
*Never wear any jewelry.
*Hair must be completely pulled up when stunting.
*Never walk or look away when stunting.
Students involved with rule violations will be disciplined according to the general
rules and guidelines outlined in the Cheerleading Handbook, as well as the district
rules and regulations as stated in the Student Handbook. Cheerleaders are under
the restrictions outlined within this handbook from the time they step on school
property as a representative of the school whether it be “open gym”, mandatory
practice, or event until they arrive at their home destination.
Cheerleading as a Sport
Competitive cheerleading is a PIAA sport and all cheerleading in MCSD is considered a sport.
Therefore, all cheerleaders will be required to provide a sports physical by a private physician of
their choice any time after June 1st and before August 4th. Cheerleaders will also be required to
submit a concussion test at the beginning of the season for use as a baseline in event of an injury.
Finally, cheerleaders will be required to pay the $135 pay to play fee as required by all Mifflin
County Athletes prior to the first event. At least one fundraiser will be offered to help offset this
cost.
Item
Boy cut briefs
(same)
Pom poms
(new)
Sneakers
(new)
Warm up
(same)
Bodysuit varsity
JV
Freshman/JH
Hair bow
Team sweatshirt
(new)
Camp wear
(new)
Soffe shorts
Socks
Cheer Equipment Information:
Description
Price
Black
$6.00
Omni
3 color plastic
$18.00 per set
Omni
Asics Tumblina
$46.00
Omni
Black, waterproof
jacket and pants
with purple
embroidery
Purple metallic
Black
White
Black/purple
sequined
Black
screenprinted
3 tshirts
$50.00
GTM Sportswear
$20.00
GTM Sportswear
$10
Debbie’s Bows
$25
Strohecker’s
Screenprinting
Strohecker’s
Screenprinting
Bon ton, JCPenny,
Macy’s
Omni
$35.00
Black, purple, gray
White w/stripe, no
show
$3.00
Company
Total equipment estimate=$213.00 Please note at least one
fundraiser will be available to offset cost of equipment and all
money will be due immediately upon making the team to ensure
equipment is delivered in time for the first game.
Review of the Handbook and Parents’ Consent
I, ________________________________, have read the rules and regulations
(print parent’s name)
set forth by the Coaches and officials. I agree to encourage my child to abide by the
rules set forth in the Cheerleading Handbook.
________________________________
_______________________
(parent signature)
(date)
________________________________
_______________________
(parent signature)
(date)
I, _______________________________, have read and agreed to follow the
(print cheerleader’s name)
rules and regulations in the Cheerleading Handbook.
_________________________________
_______________________
(Cheerleader signature)
(date)
Video/Photo Policy
I understand there will be certain times my cheerleader may be photographed or videotaped for
evaluation purposes. I also understand that the cheerleading activities are photographed and
posted on the MCHS Cheerleading website.
After reading the above statement, I give permission for the following (please initial one)
________My cheerleader may be photographed/videotaped.
________My cheerleader may NOT be photographed/videotaped.
Please sign and return by your first practice attended!
Information Sheet
Student Name:
Grade entering in 2014-2015:
Home phone:
Cell phone:
Email address:
Birthday:
Home address:
Parent/Guardian Name:
Parent phone:
Parent cell phone:
Parent email:
Emergency Contact Name:
Emergency phone:
Allergies/Health problems/Medications (please describe in detail):
Why do you want to be a Mifflin County Huskies Cheerleader? (please describe in detail):