McNeese State University Cowgirl Kickers
2024 Audition Dates and Information!
RECRUITMENT CLINICS
Saturday, December 9th
9am-noon
Friday, January 5th
5:30-8:30 pm
Friday, February 2nd
5:30-8:30 pm
Saturday, March 16th
9am-noon
Friday, April 12th
5:30-8:30 pm
Auditions: April 26-28, 2024
Thank you for showing interest in auditioning for the McNeese State University Cowgirl Kickers! We are excited to begin the process of forming our team for the upcoming school year. Please feel free to email the Director, Emily DeRouen, at mcneesecowgirlkickers@yahoo.com with any questions!
IMPORTANT DATES TO CONSIDER
-2023-2024 PREVIEW DAYS: Sept 30, Oct 21, Feb 24
This is McNeese’s largest event for prospective students to visit our campus and see what we have to offer. There will be a University Departmental Browse to allow students the opportunity to speak with academic departments. There are also Academic Information Sessions where students will be divided based on majors to meet with individual academic colleges. We highly encourage you to take part in this huge event to learn more about what McNeese has to offer you.
-THE KICKER EXPERIENCE
We are excited to announce a new experience in Lake Charles! We hope to provide you the opportunity to envision yourself as a collegiate dancer and meet new friends along the way! We invite you to join us for McNeese Football on October 21st to experience "The Hole" from a different point of view or McNeese Women's and/or Men's Basketball on November 12th, December 16th, January 13th, or February 10th in the state of the art Legacy Center and become acquainted with game day traditions and events of the Cowgirl Kickers! Click the Registration Tab above for all the information.
-RECRUITMENT CLINICS (schedule at top of page)
We will be hosting multiple recruitment clinics this year! We will continue to host young ladies interested in auditioning for any high school or college dance team! Each clinic will be held in the Aerobics Room (upstairs) of the McNeese Recreational Complex. Each clinic will allow for registration, multiple hours of instruction with Coach Lauren Morris Pruitt, then Q&A session. These are optional practice days provided to help with skills that will be judged at auditions and to answer any and all questions about the audition process and team membership. There is a $40 fee for each clinic. Skills will include but are not limited to needle, toe touch, calypso, triple pirouettes, turns in second, right and left leaps, disc, second leap, jump split, layout, leg hold turn, head spring, and kip up. Basic series of kicks and technique will also be covered. Specialty acrobatic skills, leaps, and turns can be shown to the dance coach for help if time allows. A waiver must be signed by a parent of anyone not currently on the team. Please download the PDF at the bottom of the registration to access the form. Attendance will not be allowed if the form is not completed. Again, these dates are optional, but highly recommended for those interested in auditioning for the Cowgirl Kickers to have the opportunity to work with the Kicker’s Coach, Lauren Morris Pruitt, and current team members. All registration is done through the Cowgirl Kicker website.
-2024 Summer Dates and the 2024 Football Schedule
Each Kicker is required to attend every summer practice, Cowgirl Kicker Kutie Camp, every home football game, the predetermined Football Travel Game/Band Recruiting Trip, and The Pride of McNeese Marching Band Festival. Weekday basketball games are divided between our Blue and Gold Squads, but all weekend games are mandatory for all members. The Kickers are also present at the McNeese Baseball and Softball games. The number of games required for each member depends on the number of home games and the number of team members. Please visit mcneesesports.com to review sports schedules from the current year.
-Summer Schedule: June 17-22; July 8-10; July 18-26
-Regular Practice begins: Aug 5
-Precious Pokes: June17-19
-Kicker Kutie Camp: July 22-26
-Football Schedule: can be found on www.mcneesesports.com (band festival and away game have not been announced by The Pride of McNeese yet)
We give to you this information so that you can truly evaluate whether or not your lifestyle can adjust to the demanding schedule of the Cowgirl Kickers. This is a major out of class commitment and we desire those with the highest level of dedication to our team and to McNeese State University!
AUDITION DATES AND SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Deadline for audition registration.
Sunday, April 21, 2024
A detailed video of a pom sideline will be emailed to you. You will be responsible to learn this routine individually to be judged Saturday, April 27th.
Monday, April 22nd
Deadline for music. It should be emailed to mcneesecowgirlkickers@yahoo.com with "Your Full Name - Auditions 2024" as the subject.
FRIDAY, April 26, 2024
Place: McNeese Recreation Complex, Aerobics Room (upstairs)
5 - 8p.m. Learn the jazz/kick routine to be judged on Sunday, April 28th.
Attire: Black, white, or royal blue sports bra top with any black bottoms.
Groups and times will be announced for Saturday's judging.
SATURDAY, April 27, 2024
Place: McNeese Recreation Complex, Aerobics Room (upstairs)
{a detailed schedule will be given Friday night with group times}
8:00 a.m. Aerobics Room Unlocked
8:30 a.m.-noon morning group judging
noon - 1:00 p.m. Lunch Break
1:00 p.m. Aerobics Room Unlocked
1:30-until afternoon group judging
Saturday's judging will include: solo routines, the pom sideline routine (from video), and bonuses
*Solo routines should be maximum of 2 minutes long. There is no style requirement for your routine; it is meant to show off your strengths and personality as a dancer. Your routine must include the following skills: needle, layout, leg hold turn, triple pirouette, turns in second (at least 2 whip into a double pirouette), disc, and kip up to feet. Music should be emailed to mcneesecowgirlkickers@yhaoo.com with "Your Full Name - Auditions 2024" as the subject by Monday, April 22nd
Attire: GAMEDAY hair and make-up; any colored sports bra top with any color fitted dance/workout shorts.
SUNDAY, April 28, 2024
Place: McNeese Recreation Complex, Aerobics Room (upstairs)
{a detailed schedule will be given Saturday evening with group times}
12:30 pm: Check in
1:00-4:30 p.m./until Judge jazz/kick routine
Attire: GAMEDAY hair and make-up; Black, white, or royal blue sports bra top with any black fitted dance/workout shorts.
The final roster for the team will be announced upon completion of scoring.
New members will report for a meeting on Sunday, May 5th from 3-6 p.m.
Veteran members will report for a meeting on Monday, May 6th from 12-3 p.m.
The 2024 banquet is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 7th at 7 p.m.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IF I HAVE A SCHEDULE CONFLICT WITH THE AUDITION DAY?
Please contact the Director at mcneesecowgirlkickers@yahoo.com
DO I NEED TO KNOW A DANCE ROUTINE?
YES! A CHANGE IN RECENT YEAR'S AUDITION REQUIREMENTS IS THAT YOU WILL BE JUDGED ON A 2-MINUTE SOLO OF YOUR CHOICE! THIS ROUTINE WILL BE JUDGED ALONG WITH POM ON SATURDAY, APRIL 27th
*Solo routines should be a maximum of 2 minutes long. There is no style requirement for your routine; it is meant to show off your strengths and personality as a dancer. Your routine must include the following skills: needle, layout, leg hold turn, triple pirouette, turns in second (at least 2 whip into a double pirouette), disc, and kip up to feet. Music should be emailed to mcneesecowgirlkickers@yahoo.com with "Your Full Name - Auditions 2024" as the subject by Monday, April 22nd
WE WILL BE TEACHING THE JAZZ/KICK ROUTINE ON FRIDAY, APRIL 26th TO BE JUDGED ON SUNDAY, APRIL 28th. AFTER JAZZ/KICK JUDGING, THE 2024-2025 TEAM WILL BE ANNOUNCED. SEE THE SCHEDULE ABOVE FOR DETAILED INFORMATION!
DO I HAVE TO ATTEND THE RECRUITMENT CLINICS?
No. The clinics are not mandatory. However, they will be helpful in preparing for auditions. The audition dance will not be taught at these clinics. We will be going over required dance skills and answering questions about auditions and the team. There no attire requirements for these clinics.
WHAT DO I WEAR FOR AUDITIONS?
Friday: Black, white, or royal blue sports bra top with any black bottoms.
Saturday: GAMEDAY hair and make-up; any colored sports bra top with any color fitted dance/workout shorts.
Sunday: GAMEDAY hair and make-up; Black, white, or royal blue sports bra top with any black fitted dance/workout shorts.
HOW MUCH DOES WEIGHT AND APPERANCE AFFECT THE AUDITION?
All applicants should be in good physical condition/shape in order to keep up with the demands of the dance team. It is required for you to look your best for your body frame type. Once chosen, all girls will individually meet with the director and dance coach to help you set up a personal fitness program in order to maintain your optimal fitness level and weight. Throughout the year records are kept following progress and to maintain your fitness level and weight from tryouts.
IS THERE AN AUDITION FEE?
Yes. $60 is due with your online registration.
IS THE PUBLIC ALLOWED TO VIEW AUDITIONS?
No, it is a closed audition! Only the judges and officers/Sr. members helping with the dance are allowed viewing.
WHAT SKILLS DO I HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE AT THE AUDITIONS?
Your solo routine must include the following skills: needle, layout, leg hold turn, triple pirouette, turns in second, disc, and kip up to feet.
The jazz/kick routine and the pom sideline will include, but not limited to, common dance skills such as toe touch, calypso, right and left leap, second leap, jump split, head spring, and kick sequences.
The skills listed above will all be scored, but are not all required to be mastered upon auditions. Private lessons to master skills upon making the squad will be offered!
Bonus points are given for extraordinary acrobatic skills, leaps, and turns.
WHEN DO YOU FIND OUT IF YOU MADE THE SQUAD?
After all judging is completed, a roster will be announced the Sunday evening of auditions. New members will have their first meeting the following Sunday.
HOW MUCH DO YOU PRACTICE?
There are required summer weekend practices. Please email mcneesecowgirlkickers@yahoo.com if you would like to see the schedule.
Weekly practice schedule is being reevaluated. Band practice is also on Saturday of home football game weeks. Extra practices will be scheduled accordingly.
Team members are required to attend 3 workouts per week at a team sponsored gym.
WHERE DO KICKERS PERFORM?
It is required that all members of the group perform at all home football and basketball games. We also attend at least one football game on the road, to be decided in the fall, as well as performances at the SLC Basketball Tournament. Our dance team performs for many civic functions in Southwest Louisiana and is called upon quite often for other performances and appearances throughout the year. The team also performs at all McNeese spirit functions on campus.
IS THERE A SCHOLARSHIP?
Yes…. a basic first member receives an $700.00 scholarship for the semester, based on successfully performing two semesters. It then escalates about $100.00 extra per year of completion of service. The scholarship is given at the end of each semester except in special circumstances. You will also receive 2 credits toward your semester hours each semester.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
There is an audition fee of $60. Kickers are responsible for their own shoes, tights, and any replacement pieces. All other team costs are covered by fundraising and sponsorships.
WHAT ARE THE GPA REQUIREMENTS?
The minimum requirements are a 2.0 GPA for Louisiana students (2.5 for out-of-state students), 24 earned hours in an academic year, and 5 non-commissioned credits each semester
