Purpose
The cheerleading program functions as an auxiliary arm of the Department of Athletics. Its main function is to promote University of Richmond Intercollegiate Athletics in both the University and city communities. This is a student activity that falls under the auspices of the Department of Athletics.
Section 1. Funding and Staffing
Sources of funding for the University of Richmond's cheerleading program area:
The cheerleading program is staffed by:
Section 2. Decision Making
All decisions concerning the squad will be made by the collective input of the Head Coach and the Department of Athletics Advisor. Under certain circumstances the captain, assistant coaches and Head Athletics Trainer can and may be consulted.
To insure compliance with all NCAA and University of Richmond policies and regulations, the Department of Athletics requires a full-time Department of Athletics staff member to serve as an administrative liaison between the cheerleading program and the Department. The Department of Athletics Advisor is primarily responsible for the administrative aspects of the program along with the day to day operations of the program. The Department of Athletics Advisor also serves as the liaison for the University community at large.
The squad captain serves as the liaison between the coaching staff and the squad. With the approval of the Head Coach or designated representative, the captain may dictate the activities of the squad at games or at practice.
Section 3. Squad Structure
It is the intention of the coaching staff to maintain a yearly squad of 12 members, six male and six female. However, the squad list may fall below 12 members when matters of health or academics result in participant attrition. The Department of Athletics will abide by all conference affiliation and NCAA requirements with regard to squad size at all sanctioned contests.
Tryouts are conducted twice yearly.
As a representative group of the University of Richmond and the Department of Athletics, the cheerleading squad does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background. Partners will be assigned in the best interest of the squad and the University community.
Section 4. Commitment
Once selected for the squad, cheerleaders are expected to participate in all official cheerleading activities. This includes Department of Athletic sanctioned events as well as University and community related activities. Upon joining the squad, cheerleaders are required to sign a statement of commitment (Appendix A).
The University of Richmond maintains one cheerleading squad that is responsible for representing the University community at football and men's and women's basketball competitive contests. A cheerleader is expected to make a year long commitment to the program but under certain circumstances a cheerleader may be permitted to participate for a semester at a time.
Section 5. Uniforms
As representatives of the University of Richmond, cheerleaders are expected to present a positive and professional image at all public appearances and Department of Athletics sanctioned functions. An important part of the cheerleader's persona is the uniform. All uniforms are the property of the Department of Athletics and are to be returned upon the completion of the season or termination of participation. It is the cheerleader's responsibility to insure that the quality of the uniform is maintained by notifying the coaching staff immediately of any damage or size changes.
Section 6. Off-campus Procedures
The cheerleaders will travel as a squad in vehicles owned and/or rented by the Department of Athletics.
The Department of Athletics will assume all room costs for those occasions when the cheerleading squad is traveling or when the residence halls are unavailable for occupancy.
When Department of Athletics sanctioned events require missing a meal, money will be provided to cover the cost of the meal.
Section 7. Letter Awards
To receive a letter award, the student must be a member of the squad for the entire academic year as outlined in SECTION 4. Under certain circumstances, injury may preclude this policy.
The Department of Athletics oversees the operation and maintenance of the University of Richmond's Spider. During the Department of Athletics sanctioned events or functions the Spider serves as a representative and "Good Will" ambassador of the University. A primary responsibility of the Spider during athletics events is crowd control and crowd involvement. The Spider also represents the University at many community and interdepartmental events.
The University of Richmond Spider is considered a member of the cheerleading squad and is therefore bound by all of the policies as stated in Article 22A.