University of North Dakota Athletics

Questions About Mascot?
Email Spirit Squad Advisor Nicole Letofsky at nicole.letofsky@und.edu

WELCOME

I am delighted to introduce you to the Cheer Program at the University of North Dakota. This team is dedicated to excellence both on and off the mat! We are always looking for talented, hard-working cheerleaders and athletes to join our team. As a member of UND Cheer, you will have the opportunity to showcase your skills at Division I Athletics events throughout the year. You will also have access to topnotch training and coaching, ensuring that you are always performing at your best. But being a part of our team is about more than just Cheer. It's about building lifelong friendships, learning valuable leadership skills, and representing the University of North Dakota with pride and passion. - Coach Thompson

COMMITMENT
 

SUMMER

• Mandatory workouts and learned content via video / team app
• Prep week, Sports Med, UCA Camp: exact dates TBD- est. 7/24-8/2
• Fall Semester Move-in : Aug 21 (approx)
• Practices Aug 22, 23, 24 9am-noon (approx)
• Classes begin Monday, August 24th at 4pm
   

FALL

• Practice 2x Per Week (Tuesday and Thursday)
• Strength and Conditioning 2x/week
• Open Mats- Sundays 5:00-7:00pm
• All home football games, select basketball, volleyball games (see www.fightinghawks.com)
• Exhibition performances
• Select fundraising
• Remain in Grand Forks through fall Finals Week
• Tentative NCAA Football Post-Season
   

SPRING

• Return to campus Jan 10 2027
• Practice 2x Per Week (Tuesday and Thursday)
• Strength and Conditioning 2x/week
• Home Men’s and Women’s Basketball Games
• Select fundraising opportunities
• (Tentative) Summit League basketball tournament early March.

FINANCIAL COMMITMENT

• All: $150 (due July 1-31)
• Athletes that leave the program after July 1 are responsible for the costs of fall gear and UCA camp (approx $650). These costs can be covered either with payment or participating in fundraising activities.
• Buddy gifts for home football games: Max $10/game
• Costs associated with early arrival on campus (travel, housing, dining)
   

OFFICIAL RECRUITMENT VIDEO

VIDEO CONTENT GUIDELINES

Prospective athletes for the UND Cheer Team are strongly encouraged to submit an official recruitment video or attend a recruit clinic. Please provide clear video footage. Combine all footage into one video submission, do not email coach multiple video links or files. Guidelines for the video are listed below.

INTRODUCTION

A short introduction that includes your name, hometown, cheer background, and why you want to be a part of the University of North Dakota Cheer Team. Please tell us what attributes you think you bring to the table. Indicate what position you are in a stunt group, and if that’s where you’ll be in your video.

SKILLS SHOWCASE

Stunts (AG or Co-Ed)

• Jump in, quick toss or J-up to extension
• Straight up, press, or power-bump to extended liberty
• Dismounts: Pop-off and cradle from stunt of choice
  *these are the minimum expectations. If you have advanced stunts safe and solid, please film those. We want to see your best work!

Jumps

• Single Toe Touch
• Right Front Hurdler
• Combination of choice- double jump or jump to handspring/tuck 

Sideline

• Fight Song (if you are in an All-Star program and do not have a school fight song, we will send you the choreography to ours!)
• Chant (ex: Defense Defense, 1st &10, Go Big Green)
• Band Dance or sideline dance of at least three 8 counts

Tumbling

• Not required for individuals that can demonstrate stunts. Show us what you have!
• If you are not currently on a cheer team (you’re a gymnast, dancer, etc...) and cannot provide video of your stunting skills, tumbling is a requirements
  • Minimum requirements:
    • standing- back handspring or tuck
    • running- round off to back handspring series or handspring tuck/layout/full

THINGS TO NOTE

• Make sure you are easily identifiable in your videos (brightly colored clothing, graphic add-ins on your video, etc)
   
• If you are unable to record new videos, you need to contact coach Thompson before submitting to clarify why.
   
• Submit one video link. Do not sent multiple clips or links. Do not send TikToks or Reels. Candidates who fail to follow these directions will not be considered for a place on the roster.
   
• Videos should be uploaded to YouTube or Google Drive, and a link to the video can be emailed directly to Coach Thompson at danielle.thompson@und.edu or dythompson@gmail.com.

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

Your character is the most important deciding factor in our team selection. We are looking for people that we can trust to uphold the standards of our program, even when no one is watching. This means that you are able and willing to put team obligations before personal wants. You understand the responsibility that comes with representing something much bigger than yourself. You are a self-starter who is motivated by trying to become greater every single day. You bring others up with you. You don’t take any opportunity for granted, and you take action to make the most of your collegiate experience. Your letter of recommendation should come from a current coach, teacher, or advisor in your life (non-family member). Letters can be emailed to Coach Thompson at danielle.thompson@und.edu.

TIMELINE

• December 31: Priority video deadline (all candidates who submit
  before December 31 will be eligible for an invite to our private skills
  clinic April 11, 2026)
   
• March 30: Final recruitment video submission due, final private clinic
  invites sent out
   
• Dec 31- March 30: candidate interviews conducted via Zoom/Teams
   
• Saturday, April 11: Private clinic for all that received invites
   
• May 1: University of North Dakota Cheer Team Roster Announced

Any questions about the recruitment process can be emailed to Head Coach Dani Thompson at danielle.thompson@und.edu. We look forward to meeting you and wish you the best of luck in the recruitment process.

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WELCOME SKATERS

We’re thrilled to see your interest in joining the University of North Dakota’s esteemed Hockey Cheer Team! Our program is built on a foundation of excellence—on and off the ice— and we’re always eager to welcome talented figure skaters to our team. As a member of our team, you’ll have the chance to showcase your skills at games, events, and special appearances throughout the year. With access to top-tier coaching and training, we’ll help you reach your full potential and shine. But being part of our team is about so much more than figure skating. It’s about building lifelong friendships, developing leadership skills, and representing the University of North Dakota with pride, passion, and unwavering spirit. If you’re ready to take your figure skating career to the next level and join something truly special, we encourage you to apply today. We can’t wait to see the energy, talent, and dedication you’ll bring to our team. - Coach Amanda

COMMITMENT

SUMMER

• Physicals and Pre-Season Training Camp (Tent. July)
• Season Prep-Week (August)

FALL

• Practice 2x Per Week
• Open Ice 2x Per Week
• Strength Training 2x Per Week
• All Home Hockey Games
• Select Home Volleyball and Football Games
• Select Fundraising Events

SPRING

• Practice 2x Per Week
• Open Ice 2x Per Week
• Strength Training 2x Per Week
• All Home Hockey Games
• Season-End Showcase
• NCHC & NCAA Post-Season Tournaments
• Select Fundraising Events

FINANCIAL COMMITMENT

Approximately $150. Dues are subject to change.

Costs associated with early arrival on campus (travel, housing, dining).

APPLICATION & REQUIREMENTS

LEVELS

To be eligible to apply, you must have passed Silver Skating Skills and Pre-Bronze Singles. ISI figure skaters should include their current test levels in the application.

APPLICATION

The application asks about your skating experience, educational background, and notable achievements. You'll also use this form to upload your required video and letter of recommendation. Application Link. 

VIDEO

Applicants must submit an official recruitment video featuring the following sections:

• Introduction
• Required Skills
• Skills Showcase
• Individual Solo
• Synchronized Skills
• Cheer & Dance Skill

Please ensure the video is filmed horizontally in clear, high-quality footage. The Required Skills and Skills Showcase sections must be recorded in one continuous take without cuts. Videos should be uploaded to YouTube or Google Drive for submission.

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

Joining the North Dakota Hockey Cheer Team is about more than just skills and technique—it’s also about demonstrating strong character, a solid work ethic, and serving as a role model in the community. Your letter of recommendation should be written by a coach or another trusted adult in your life (not a family member).

RECRUITMENT PAPERWORK
All fees and paperwork are due on March 1st. Submit the waiver and medical release in the application form.

• Recruitment Fee [Tryout Fee]
• Waiver Under 18 OR Waiver 18 + 
• Medical Release Form

OFFICIAL RECRUITMENT VIDEO

INTRODUCTION

Provide a brief introduction that includes your name, hometown, cheer and figure skating background, current skill levels, and your reasons for wanting to join the North Dakota Hockey Cheer Team.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Jumps

• Loop with arms overhead
• Split jump or Russian split jump
• Axel

Spins

• Backspin with arms overhead
• Sit spin or sit spin variation
• Layback spin
• Flying camel spin

Field Elements

• Change-edge spiral (outside to inside or inside to outside)
• Choice of Ina Bauer, Spread Eagle or Leg Lift

SKILLS SHOWCASE

• 2 jumps of your choice
• 2 spins of your choice
• 2 field elements of your choice

INDUVIDUAL SOLO

An on-ice individual solo that highlights jumps, spins, footwork, and spiral elements. This should not be a standard free skate program, but instead a program created for this recruitment video that showcases upbeat cheer- style choreography. 1:30 min-max. Poms are optional.

SYNCHRONIZED SKILLS

Learn the circle footwork and perform it to upbeat music. We ask that you collaborate with 1-2 others (such as a coach or fellow skater) to learn and perform this sequence together, as we want to see how you demonstrate your synchronized skating skills. Clinic footwork video tutorial.

CHEER & DANCE SKILLS

Learn and perform the following material, performing each item twice. You will be judged on your form and entertainment value.

• UND Fight Song
• Band Dance 
• Filler Dance

TIMELINE

• March 1: Application Deadline
• April 1: Official Team Roster Announced

INTERVIEW

After reviewing your application, we will reach out to selected candidates to schedule a virtual interview. This interview will provide an opportunity for us to get to know you better, discuss your goals, and explore your passion for joining our team.

QUESTIONS

Any questions about the recruitment process can be emailed to Head Coach, Amanda Lilleberg at undhockeycheer@gmail.com. We wish you the best of luck in the recruitment process.

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