Members of the 2009-10 Transylvania cheerleading squad include
L-R on floor:
Brianna Dusenbery, Kasey McCarty, Jessica Root
L-R 2nd row: Kellie Davis, Jayme Farris, Alison Ridgway, Robin Williams-Neal
L-R standing: Haley Senninger, Allyson Lathram, Jasmaine Herndon
Not pictured: Kayla Skaggs, Caitlin Bingham, Kelly Bingham
Transy’s cheerleading coach is Tora Carter.
Philosophy
The Transylvania University Cheerleading program is a student activity. As a student activity, its first and foremost responsibility to the student is to support and not to compromise the students’ academic career. The program should aid in developing the student participant into a responsible, mature and independent adult. The Cheerleading program is a means of improving the student’s mental and physical well being. Cheerleading is an activity that provides leadership training, develops the ability to make decisions, enhances the ability to respond to life’s situations, contributes to social development, and will maximize the opportunity for student growth, change, and maturity.
Transylvania’s cheerleading squad attends all home basketball games for both the men’s and women’s teams. Along with sidelines and band dances throughout the games, the cheerleaders also perform a variety of stunts, tumbling, as well as cheers in between quarters. In addition to cheering for basketball games, the squad has the opportunity to participate in several competitions throughout the season.
Practices are held on evenings at the Pep Club of Lexington. Much of the practice time is spent perfecting and training new stunts, as well as cheers, jumps, and tumbling. Although extreme dedication to cheerleading is required to be successful, squad members still manage to find time to participate in numerous other sports and activities, along with all academic commitments.
Athletic Medical Clearance
All interested participants must be cleared for participation by the Athletic Training Staff prior to the first day of clinics. Medical clearance information forms can be picked up from the Athletic Department Office.
Athletic Medical Clearance Schedule for Cheer:
Friday, September 7, 5:45 p.m. - Meeting with Athletic Training Staff
Saturday, September 8, 9:30 a.m. - Physical with Team MD
Informational Meeting
Monday, September 10, 2007
For more information contact the coach.
Tryout Information
Cheerleading tryouts will be held after the start of the Fall semester. During tryouts, basic cheerleading skills are assessed, including toe-touches and several other jumps. Various short sidelines and cheers are taught as part of the evaluation process. Stunts are also practiced to determine the individual's skill and ability to work with one another. Tumbling is also performed at this time. The coach evaluates the students throughout the session, making her final decision at the end. This assessment is not only based on skills, but also on attitude and potential to learn and excel in the future.
Tryout Dates:
Tryouts for 2007-2008 Cheerleading squad will be conducted at the beginning of the 2007 Fall Semester.
Clinics & Tryouts
September 11-13 8-10 p.m. Beck Center
Meet the coach
Tora Carter is in her third season as cheerleading and dance coach at Transylvania. Carter is a 2004 graduate of the University of Kentucky and a former member of the UK Wildcat Danzers. She also coached at Kentucky in 2004-05.
Carter has previously performed as a member of the Pep Club Lady Legends, the Lexington Horsemen Fillies, the Louisville Fire Cheerleaders, the Lexington Legends Dugout Danzers, and the Kentucky Thoroughblades Thoroughbabes. She spent two years serving as a dance instructor for the Lexington Parks and Recreation Department in 2002-03. Tora is a nationaly renowned dance instructor and choreographer! Currently Tora is the Head Dance Coach at Henry Clay High School and works with many local and regional cheer and dance teams.
Contact Carter at (859) 321-8071 or (859) 233-8893 or e-mail her.
