Cheerleading is a sport that combines athleticism, creativity, and teamwork. It is also a fun and rewarding way to show your school spirit and support your favorite teams. If you are a college cheerleader, you might be interested in competing in the College Cheer Competition, the most prestigious collegiate national championship in the country. In this blog post, we will tell you everything you need to know about this exciting event, from how to participate, what are the benefits, and how to win. Read on and get ready to cheer your way to the top!
What is the National College Cheer Competition?
The National College Cheer Competition is an annual event that showcases the best cheerleading and dance teams from colleges and universities across the country. It is organized by two associations: the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) and the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA). The UCA College Nationals take place at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, while the NCA College Nationals take place at Daytona Beach, Florida. Both events are held in January or April each year.
The National College Cheer Competition has different divisions, categories, and rules for cheerleading and dance teams. Some of the divisions include All Girl, Coed, Small Coed, Open Coed, Division I, Division II, Division III, Junior College, NAIA, and Game Day. The categories include Pom, Jazz, Hip Hop, Team Performance, Partner Stunt, Group Stunt, Mascot, and more. The rules and scoring are based on the level of difficulty, execution, creativity, choreography, synchronization, and overall impression of each routine.
The National College Cheer Competition attracts thousands of students and spectators every year. It is also broadcasted live on Varsity TV, a platform that covers cheerleading and dance events worldwide. The winners of each division and category receive trophies, medals, banners, jackets, and recognition as national champions.
How to Participate in the National College Cheer Competition?
To participate in the National College Cheer Competition, you need to be a member of a cheerleading or dance team from an accredited college or university in the United States. You also need to register your team online through the UCA or NCA website, depending on which association you want to compete with. You will need to provide information about your team name, division, category, coach name, contact details, roster size, and payment method.
The registration fee varies depending on the division and category you choose. For example, for the UCA College Nationals 2023, the fee ranges from $100 to $200 per person for cheerleading teams and from $75 to $150 per person for dance teams. For the NCA College Nationals 2023, the fee ranges from $125 to $175 per person for cheerleading teams and from $100 to $150 per person for dance teams. The fee includes admission to the competition venues, practice facilities, awards ceremony, and other activities.
In addition to registering online, you also need to qualify for the National College Cheer Competition by earning a bid at a regional or virtual event hosted by UCA or NCA throughout the year¹². A bid is an invitation to compete at the national level based on your team’s performance at a local level. There are different types of bids available: full paid bids (which cover all expenses), partial paid bids (which cover some expenses), at-large bids (which require paying the full registration fee), or wildcard bids (which allow competing in a preliminary round).
Once you have registered and qualified for the National College Cheer Competition, you need to prepare your routine according to the rules and guidelines of your division and category. You also need to book your travel arrangements (such as flights, hotels,
transportation) and complete any required forms (such as waivers,
insurance) before the deadline.
What are the Benefits of Joining the National College Cheer Competition?
Joining the National College Cheer Competition has many benefits for college cheerleaders and dancers. Some of them are:
- You get to showcase your skills and talents on a national stage.
- You get to compete against the best teams in the country and learn from them.
- You get to experience the thrill and excitement of performing in front of a large and supportive audience.
- You get to have fun and make memories with your teammates and friends.
- You get to represent your school and earn respect and recognition for your achievements.
- You get to develop your confidence, discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills.
- You get to enjoy the attractions and amenities of the host cities (Orlando or Daytona Beach).
Tips and Tricks for Winning the National College Cheer Competition
Winning the National College Cheer Competition is not easy, but it is possible with hard work, dedication, and some tips and tricks. Here are some of them:
- Start preparing early. Plan your routine, practice regularly, and polish your skills. Don’t wait until the last minute to finalize your choreography, music, costumes, or props.
- Follow the rules. Read and understand the rules and guidelines of your division and category. Avoid any violations or deductions that could lower your score or disqualify you from the competition.
- Be creative. Stand out from the crowd by adding originality, variety, and flair to your routine. Use different elements, transitions, formations, and styles to showcase your team’s strengths and personality.
- Be confident. Perform with energy, enthusiasm, and passion. Smile, make eye contact, and project your voice. Show the judges and the audience that you love what you do and that you are proud of your team.
- Be safe. Don’t attempt any skills or stunts that are beyond your ability or that could to be enjoyed. Don’t let stress, pressure, or nerves get the best of you. Relax, have fun, and support each other.
Conclusion
The National College Cheer Competition is a great opportunity for college cheerleaders and dancers to showcase their skills, compete against the best teams in the country, and have fun with their teammates and friends. It is also a rewarding way to represent their school and earn recognition as national champions.
If you are interested in joining the National College Cheer Competition, you need to register online through the UCA or NCA website, qualify for a bid at a regional or virtual event, prepare your routine according to the rules and guidelines of your division and category, book your travel arrangements, and complete any required forms¹². You also need to follow some tips and tricks for winning the competition: start preparing early, follow the rules, be creative, be confident, be safe, and have fun.
We hope this blog post has given you some useful information about the National College Cheer Competition. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you!
Thank you for reading!
