Pom Tryouts 2025-2026 | Memphis Spirit

2025-2026
Pom Squad Tryouts

Make sure you read ALL of the information below! This information is for dancers auditioning for the POM SQUAD.

AUDITION INFORMATION:

May 9, 10th, 11th

All dancers must attend all 3 days of the tryout. This includes recruited athletes.
Prior dance experience is REQUIRED. In addition to skills and 1 minute solo, applicants will also be required to perform routines in game day, pom, hip-hop and jazz styles.
**All applicants MUST register at the following links before the audition:
- Tryout fee: $75 new applicants
- Tryout fee: $50 for anyone who was a member of the 2025-26 squads.

The schedule below is tentative and is subject to change at discretion of the coach.
If you are undecided about trying out for the Pom Squad or the Ambush Crew you will check the “undecided” option in the application.

Click the link below to download BOTH of the consent to participate waivers, you will need this BEFORE you fill out the application.

IMPORTANT!

THE ONLINE APPLICATION MUST BE FILLED OUT BEFORE THE TRYOUT DATE.

YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WITH YOUR APPLICATION FORM

(so prepare these documents BEFORE filling it out):

Completed University of Memphis Spirit Squad online application (all applicants)
Proof of Admission to the University of Memphis (copy of acceptance letter OR University ID), (new applicants only)
University of Memphis consent to participate form (all applicants)
Copy of your insurance policy card (front and back) (all applicants)
Tryout Payment. See above for prices. Payment will be accepted when you fill out the application.. (Debit/Credit cards only)

FRIDAY, May 9th

Location: Student Recreation and SPORTS COMPLEX (620 Echles St Memphis, TN 38111)

Time: 3:00pm - 9:00pm

Schedule:

3:00pm - 3:20pm : CHECKIN / WARMUP (dont forget your paperwork!)

3:20pm - 5:00pm : TECHNIQUE

5:00pm - 6:00pm : LEARN POM ROUTINE

break / change clothes / interviews

6:00pm - 7:00pm : LEARN HIPHOP ROUTINE

7:00pm - 9:00pm : MANDATORY OPEN PRACTICE / INTERVIEWS / SOLOS (all dancers - including recruits - will perform their solo at this open practice.)

POM (& Technique) Attire:

Form fitting tank top
Bike shorts (no high waisted allowed)
Jazz shoes/turners
Your own set of poms
Hair - arrive with hair neat and secure slicked back low pony
Makeup - presentable and gameday ready
When down or in a ponytail hair may not exceed the bra line in length. Hair length is restricted for safety purposes.
Recruited athletes: will not be required to participate on Friday but they will be required to attend and wear the required attire listed above for all dancers trying out.

HIPHOP Attire:

Long or short sleeve shirt or Memphis colors (not too baggy or wrinkled. MUST BE PRESENTABLE)
Joggers or pants of any kind, no leggings
Sneakers must be worn for this portion, no jazz shoes/ turners
Hair - neat and secure slicked back low to mid ponytail
Hats are not allowed
Hoodies/ Crew neck sweatshirts are allowed only if the hood is not distracting
Makeup - presentable and gameday ready

Skills that will be judged may include but not limited to:

Ariel (both sides)
Front ariel
Advanced leaps/jumps
Advanced turn combination
All other advanced acro, hiphop skills, tricks, etc.
Any advanced floor work/breakdancing skills

SATURDAY, May 10th

Part 1

Location: Student Recreation and SPORTS COMPLEX (620 Echles St Memphis, TN 38111)

Time: 10:00am - 1:30pm

Attire:

GAMEDAY

Form fitting tank top
Bike shorts (no high waisted allowed)
Sneakers must be worn for this portion, no jazz shoes/ turners
Your own set of poms
Hair - should be down upon arrival, off of face, and game day styled so you are comfortable performing.
Makeup should be performance ready

POM

Form fitting tank top
Bike shorts (no high waisted allowed)
Jazz shoes/turners
Your own set of poms
Hair - arrive with hair neat and secure slicked back low BUN
Makeup - presentable and gameday ready

HIPHOP

Long or short sleeve shirt or Memphis colors (not too baggy or wrinkled. MUST BE PRESENTABLE)
Joggers or pants of any kind, no leggings
Sneakers must be worn for this portion, no jazz shoes/ turners
Hair - neat and secure slicked back low to mid ponytail
Hats are not allowed
Hoodies/ Crew neck sweatshirts are allowed only if the hood is not distracting

Schedule:

9:30am : CHECK IN / DANCERS ARRIVE (arrive gameday ready!)

10:00am : WARMUP

10:10am - 11:10am : LEARN GAMEDAY

11:10am - 11:40am : REVIEW POM

11:40am - 11:45am : BREAK

11:45am - 12:15pm : REVIEW HIPHOP

12:15pm - 1:30pm : OPEN PRACTICE / INTERVIEWS

Interviews:

Interviews for returners and new applicants MAY take place throughout the day and during the mandatory open practice, dancers must prepare to be available all day in the event you are asked to interview. You do not need to bring any attire or items specifically for the interview portion.

Recruited athletes:

will not be required to participate on Part 1 of Saturday but they will be required to attend and wear the required attire listed above for all dancers trying out.

Part 2

Location: Michael D. Rose Theater Lecture Hall (470 University, Memphis, TN 38111)

Time: 4:00pm - 8:00pm

Attire:

Solo portion - costume of your choice
Pom and hiphop attire will be the same as previous day clinic attire requirements
Hair - neat and secure slicked back low to mid ponytail for technique and dancers choice for solos (must be off of face at all times).

Finals Schedule (tentative to change)

3:15pm - DANCERS ARRIVE AT THEATER

3:30pm - DOORS OPEN

3:50pm - DANCERS LINE UP BACKSTAGE

4:00pm - FINALS BEGIN

Order of Finals:

Finals show will open with a freestyle of choice from everyone! Be prepared to perform 2-3 eight counts that showcase your personality, skills, and style!
Dancers will perform the pom, hiphop, and gameday combination in groups.
Each dancer will perform their 1 minute solo. (groups and solo order of performance will be announced on Saturday)
Group routines will be performed and evaluated in groups.

Recruited athletes:

You will perform your solo during this portion. Order of performance will be given after Saturday Part 1 is completed.

Team will be announced after finals on social media before midnight.

FOR SPECTATORS:

Auditions are OPEN to the public on Saturday.
Only spectators who pre-pay online will receive the spectator discount.
Click button below for more spectator information and to purchase tickets!

Sunday, May 11th

(2025-2026 team members only, no spectators)

Spirit Squad Meeting

Time: 9:00am - 11:00am
Attire: (Please wear black joggers (ambush) and black shorts (pom). T shirt is provided.
Location: Penny Hardaway Hall of Fame (570 Normal St, Memphis, TN 38152)
Agenda: Breakfast, contract review, team photos

Gameday practice with Cheer and Dance