INSIDE ATHLETICS

Cheerleaders used to be the pretty side dish at sporting events, as a great deal of athletic ability was not required to stand on the sideline and wave a pompom. Today, however, things have certainly changed.

According to cheer team coach Danelle Afflerbaugh, “The current state of cheerleading could not be any farther from the antiquated days of cheer.”

In general, the highly dangerous levels of stunts and tumbling that have been incorporated into the world of cheer have caused the individual athlete’s talent to significantly increase. Specifically, the members of the Bulldog cheer team strive to present themselves in such a way, both on and off the field, that they are considered equals to the other phenomenal student-athletes and coaches on the Redlands campus.

Currently, there are three squads within the cheer team. The fall, winter/spring, and competition cheer teams all provide different yet equally important facets to Bulldog athletics. The fall team is highly visible at many of the fall sports events. The members attend all of the football games, both home and away, and cheer at many other on-campus contests. Tryouts for the fall team are during April or May of the previous academic year. Only on-campus tryouts are accepted; current students and incoming freshman from local schools may participate in these tryouts. Practice times during the fall season are Monday-Wednesday, 6-8 a.m.

The winter/spring team is also an on-campus group that cheers for the winter/spring sports. This team is consistently seen on the sidelines of the home basketball games in Currier Gym and at many other winter/spring sports. Tryouts are held in October/November. Practice times during the season are Monday-Wednesday, 6-8 a.m.

Finally, the competition team works to perfect their skills and routines for various cheer meets. This team does not participate on campus with the exception of performing at one home basketball game. Tryouts for the competition cheer team are held in September. Practice times are Thursday at 6-8 a.m., Saturday at 8-11 a.m., Sunday at 4-6 p.m., and two evenings during the week (depending on gym availability).

Despite the demanding schedule of being on the cheer team, with early morning practices and many events to cover, the Bulldog cheer team creates a tight knit group. Afflerbaugh describes it as “a family away from home.” Other benefits of being on the squad include gaining an incredible amount of strength, both physically and mentally. The cheer team’s stunts require extreme concentration, dedication and mental focus, aside from the obvious muscular strength that is needed.

Whether it’s football, soccer, basketball or water polo, keep an eye out for the Bulldog cheer team as they strive to be everywhere on campus. With hard work and dedication, this spirited group will be well known throughout the University of Redlands athletics events.

For more information on the Bulldog cheer team, please contact Coach Afflerbaugh.