EUSTIS HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING/MASCOT
RULES AND REGULATIONS
2013-2014
This has been written and adopted for the Varsity (11-12 grade), JV (9-10 grade) cheerleaders,
Competition (10-12 grade) and Panther mascot at Eustis High School. The name of the organization shall
be the Eustis Panther Varsity, Junior Varsity, Competition Cheerleading Squad and EHS Panther Mascot.
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The purpose of the cheerleading Squad/Mascot is:
Create school spirit, pride and loyalty
Promote interest in school activities and perform at school games
a. For competition only; represent Eustis High School as a competitive squad in a
professional and respectful manner.
b. The purpose of Lake County School Competition cheer program is a comparison of the
relative skills of the participants which involves stunting within a competition structure
comparable to other athletics’ activities. It must be governed by rules that explicitly
define the time, space, and purpose of the contest and the condition under which a winner
is declared.
Develop responsibility, self-respect, dependability, honesty, integrity, discipline, moral character,
cooperation, sportsmanship, leadership, respect, courtesy, tolerance, patience and unification.
Pride in a quality performance through maintaining high standards
Maintain good sportsmanship
The Coach:
Hired by the Lake County School system upon recommendation of school administrator
Present for the daily running of practice and cheerleading activities
Present at all cheer events
Administering all disciplinary actions/procedures
Responsible for making travel arrangements to and from away games
Approves all cheers, chants, posters, signs, music, dances, etc.
Providing a safe and comfortable environment for practice and games
Following safety guidelines as set up by the National Federation of State High School
Cheerleading Association
Creating a cooperative and supportive atmosphere for the cheer squad
Setting up cheer tryouts year to year
Will decide on number of cheerleaders on squad for the upcoming school year
Set up a standard for cheerleading appearance
Gives direction and creates a balance between cheerleading, classes and other school activities
Has the right to impose additional disciplinary actions for improper behavior not specifically listed
in these rules and regulations.
III. Eligibility for tryouts and squad member:
1. Attend Eustis High or be a regularly promoted, non waivered incoming student for the next
school year. Must have proof of a signed school district/waiver if asked.
2. Maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher
3. Submit a completed EHS application packet which includes
a. Parental consent signed contract for rules and regulations agreement
b. Athletic eligibility packet
c. Copy of health insurance card
d. Current report card or transcript for GPA verification
e. $10 judges fee
4. Administration and coach will determine eligibility if student has been suspended for a major
offence
5. Attend tryout clinic and practices as designated (extreme cases will be determined by coach)
IV. Captains:
1. Number of captains will be at the discretion of the coach
2. Must have at least one year of cheering on the JV squad for JV Captain; one year of cheering on
Varsity squad for Varsity Captain
3. Captain and/or Co captain selection will be the coaches decision; coaches decision is final.
V. Attendance:
1. Must attend school for two full periods the day of a game or practice or in case of a Saturday
game, the day before, in order to participate in the activity (a full class period means no tardy to
the class and no leaving early).
2. Be in attendance first period the day after a week day game
3. Be in attendance to practice 5 minutes before it is scheduled to begin
4. Be in attendance 30 minutes before a cheer activity, unless told otherwise by coach
5. Be in attendance 15 minutes before leaving for an away game, you can and will be left if not on
time.
6. One regular game absent for Football season; 2 game practices for Football; 2 regular game
absences for Basketball, one must be made up, third absence removed from squad; No absences
for post-season games (FB or BB), you miss one game you are done for the year. (See coach for
extreme circumstances); no tardies, these will be dealt with on an individual basis.
a. Only absences relating to LSCC classes will be excused.
b. Dual enrolled cheerleaders should schedule LSCC classes outside of game nights.
7. Absences/tardies are to be reported to coach before they occur, in case of emergencies; call the
coach or your captain. In extreme situation let another team member relay the message and follow
up with a call to coach.
8. Schedule all appointments, outings, concerts, vacations, job interviews, etc. so they do not
interfere with cheerleading practice or games. Work is not an excuse to be late, leave early, or
miss a practice or game. EX: if you plan to participate in drama club, don’t accept a part in a play
during football and basketball season.
9. Be punctual, being on time is simple good manners; it is your responsibility to let coach know of
an impending absence or tardy. (Club meetings are not an excuse for tardiness)
10. Attend all cheering activities in its entirety. (See coach for extreme situations)
11. All activities need to work around cheerleading, you have made a commitment, stick to it!
VI. Uniform:
1. Cheerleaders are expected to provide the performance uniform, camp equipment and camp
payment.
2. Dress for all practice and games will be uniformly
3. Uniforms and practice attire will be clean and neat and worn properly (DO NOT LET ANYONE
ELSE WHERE ANY OF YOUR CHEER ATTIRE)
4. No jewelry, nail polish, etc will be worn with performance uniform at any time.
5. Hair is part of the uniform - hair will be worn in a high tight ponytail for basketball. No hair
strands, rolls, etc. Ponytail for practice.
6. Purchase of new uniforms is at the discretion of the coach
7. All payments for uniform, camp attire and camp will be due by:
a. Camp Cost
$365
on 5/14/14
b. Camp/Practice Wear
$
on 6/30/14
c. Uniform
$
on 8/1/14
d. All uniform, camp, and camp wear cost is subject to change based on amount per
participant and shipping costs.
VII. Cheerleading Duties:
1. Be at all practices, games (pre and post season if applicable), cheer events on time and in proper
attire.
2. Participate in any and all fund raisers
3. Support your teams, players, and teammates with encouraging words.
4. Participate and help fund the making of goodie bags, signs, etc.
5. Cheer at Homecoming game
IF DANCE IS ON FRIDAY:
a. Only seniors will be exempt from the game; they will not be exempt if they have missed a
previous game.
b. All 9th – 11th grade cheerleaders will cheer.
c. 11th grade cheerleaders until half time.
d. 9th and 10th will cheer whole game
e. All class representatives will cheer (9-11)
IF DANCE IS ON SATURDAY:
a. All cheerleaders (9-12) will cheer homecoming
b. All class representatives (9-12) will cheer homecoming
c. Seniors on homecoming court will be exempt from cheering
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Attend summer cheer camp
Continue to cheer in inclement weather unless it is a danger to do so, coach will let team know of
decision.
Keep uniform clean and neat.
Remove jewelry during practice and games; this includes all earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets,
anklets, etc.
Tattoos are not in view when wearing uniform
Be in full uniform when traveling to a game; unless told otherwise by coach
Do not remove any part of uniform without checking with coach
No cell phones, iPods, etc during the game. Get coaches permission before using at anytime.
Do not eat or chew gum during a game.
Do not socialize with friends, family members, boyfriends, etc during a game.
Display good sportsmanship and manners.
Be truthful.
Treat ALL persons with respect.
Listen and follow all directions given by coach; do not argue or questions the coach.
Eat, drink and exercise appropriately.
Follow the rules and regulations set up by the Lake County School Code of Conduct and the cheer
coach.
Be a LADY at all times.
No pictures posted on social media with alcohol, cigarettes or any other illegal substance.
VIII. Senior Cheerleaders:
1. Help and participate in the teaching of cheers, chants, dances, etc during the year and at tryouts.
2. Command, do not demand; be a leader
3. Run tryouts at the end of the year. (clinic, practice days, and tryouts)
IX. Parents:
1. Help transport cheerleaders to and from cheer activities.
2. Pick up cheerleader from practice and games in a reasonable amount of time (15 minutes after
game or practice)
3. Be responsible for payment of all cheer expenses; get payments in when asked.
4. Support and cooperate with coach and administration on cheer decisions and disciplinary actions.
5. Treat all squad members and coaches with respect.
6. Do not discuss problems at a game or practice; call the school for an appointment.
X. Discipline:
1. The coach and/or the administration of Eustis High will dismiss any participant for the following
reasons:
a. Undesirable/violent (fighting) behavior resulting in a school suspension
b. Undesirable, slanderous, racist or threatening language or actions
c. Excessive violation of school/athletic rules and regulations (ex: excessive tardies or absences)
d. Uncooperative, poor or disrespectful attitude toward any person/coach/adult at any time
e. An act or deed that harms the reputation of EHS or the EHS cheer program
f. Suspension from school for any reason (The EHS Cheer programs leads the school and is held
to high moral standards)
g. Failure to uphold moral character
h. Failure in a class or not maintaining a 2.0 GPA
i. Illegal actions(drugs, alcohol, tobacco, stalking, hate crimes, felony, theft, etc) IF YOU ARE
PHOTOGRAPHED WITH ANY ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE, EXPECT TO BE REMOVED
FROM THE SQUAD.
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Minor Infractions- Consequences for minor rule infraction will be at the discretion of the coach:
a. Not participating in fund raisers
b. Improper/inappropriate dress to, at or from a game
c. Inappropriate language in coach’s presence, during a game, in uniform, practice, etc.
d. PDA in school or any cheer function
e. Using a cell phone or iPod at inappropriate times
f. Not game ready – uniform, equipment, etc.
g. Socializing with friends, family etc. during a game
h. Tardy from half time
i. Eating or chewing gum during a game
j. Excessive failure to report absences or tardies
k. Excessive talking, laughing, playing during practice, games, stunts, tryouts, etc.
l. Failure to meet deadlines involving forms, money etc.
m. Detention or Saturday school
n. Complaints from teacher about behavior, work, attitude.
o. Whining, complaining, and sulking during practice.
Any cheerleading or school rule infraction can lead to a disciplinary action by the
coach and/or administration. Remember, the coach and/or administrator decides the
consequence for any and all rule violations.
To Parent and Participant:
After reading the above rules and regulations, We ______________________________ parents of
_______________________________________, who is or will be a student of Eustis High, give
permission for she/he to participate in cheerleading tryouts and/or cheerleading on the varsity or junior
varsity cheer team for the coming school year 2012-2013.
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We understand we are responsible for all payment of equipment, camp, travel and uniforms
for the coming school year. All money will be paid on time and in full on or before:
a. Camp Cost
$365
on 4/17/2013
b. Camp/Practice Wear $266
on 5/29/2013
c. Uniform
$266
on 8/21/2013
We understand that qualified judges will evaluate the participants, and we agree to abide by
the decision of the judges. We understand that the cheerleaders are picked by a panel of
judges who select them on talent, skill and aptitude for the job.
We understand that cheering is a year round activity and will assure our child will be present
at all games and practices unless an emergency occurs. In this case, the coach will be the first
to be alerted.
We will abide by any disciplinary decisions and will support the coach in her efforts to keep
infraction of rules and regulations to a minimum.
We understand that cheerleading, like any other sport has a degree of risk. The risk of injury
is high and any one routine or stunt could lead to serious injury, including death. We still
give our consent for our child to participate in the cheering activities.
We understand that our daughter/son is to adhere to the cheerleading guidelines. If for any
reason she/he does not wish to cooperate with said guidelines, the participant can be
suspended from the team for an indefinite period of time. This is at the discretion of the
coach and/or administration. Decision is final.
By signing this agreement, we understand that our child is being held to a higher degree and she
/he will be responsible, dependable, cooperative, respectful and truthful. We understand that any use,
dispensation or distribution of illegal or controlled substances, acts of immorality, or illegal acts of any
kind will result in termination from the EHS cheer program.
We release the coaches, assistant coaches, volunteers, staff of Eustis High School and the Board of
Education for the District of Lake County, from any claims of negligence by ourselves, our daughter/son,
our heirs, executors and assigns; from any liability arising from claims for damages, injury, death and any
claims for loss of damage to her/his property. We also understand that proper supervision of all cheer
activities will be done by a responsible and dependable adult.
I have read, understand and will abide by the rules and regulations as written:
______________________________________________Signature of Parent/Guardian
Date ___________
______________________________________________Signature of Participant
Date ___________
______________________________________________ Signature of Witness
(21 years or older)
Date __________