IMPORTANT DATES TO CONSIDER

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-McNeese PREVIEW DAYS: TBA

This event is to welcome prospective students, to invite them to explore the campus, and to see all of the appealing aspects of McNeese.  There is a University Departmental Browse to allow students the opportunity to visit various academic departments.  There are also informational sessions where students will have the opportunity to meet with the leaders of the colleges of their respective areas of academic interests.  Anyone considering a future at McNeese is highly encouraged to take part in this tremendous event to learn more about what McNeese has to offer. 

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-THE KICKER EXPERIENCE

We are excited to bring back a prime experience in Lake Charles!  We'd love to offer you a chance to envision yourself as a collegiate dancer and meet new friends along the way.  We invite you to join us for McNeese Football on September 13, 2025 to experience "The Hole" from a different perspective.  These events will acquaint you 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 consist of registration, multiple hours of instruction with dance coaches Lauren Morris Pruitt and Anna Perry, and ending with a Q&A session.  These serve as optional practice days to provide help with skills and styles upon which dancers will be judged at auditions and to answer any and all questions about the audition process and team membership.  There is a $100 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 kick series and technique will also be covered.  Each clinic will offer a jazz, hip hop, and pom combo.  A waiver must be signed by a parent or guardian of anyone not currently on the team.  Please download the PDF at the bottom of the registration page 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 as an opportunity to work with and be recruited by coaches and current team members.  All registration is done through the Cowgirl Kicker website. 

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-2025  Summer Dates & Football Schedule

Each Kicker is required to attend every summer practice, Precious Pokes, Dance C.A.M.P., and Cowgirl Kicker Kutie Camps, every home football game, the predetermined Football Travel Game/Band Recruiting Trip, and The Pride of McNeese Marching Band Festival.

Below is the anticipated Summer 2025 Schedule. 

-Summer Schedule: June 25-29; July 14-17; July 23-27

-Precious Pokes and Dance C.A.M.P.: June 30 - July 2

-Kicker Kutie Camp: July 28-Aug 1

-Regular Practice begins:  Aug 11

-Football Schedule: can be found on www.mcneesesports.com.  We will attend the UL game on September 6, 2025, and the Marching Band Festival on October 25. 

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-Additional Mandatory Team Appearances

Kickers are present at all Men's and Women's Basketball games and at some of the McNeese Baseball and Softball games.  Other required appearances and fundraisers are announced throughout the year as our attendance is requested by the University, Athletic Department, and our community.  

 

​​We give you this information so that you can truly evaluate whether or not your lifestyle can accommodate the demanding schedule of the Cowgirl Kickers.  This is a rigorous extracurricular commitment that is successfully fulfilled only by those dancers with the utmost dedication and devotion to our team and to McNeese State University!

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2026-2027 AUDITION DATES AND SCHEDULE

​The dates will be announced soon! ​​​

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IF I HAVE A SCHEDULE CONFLICT WITH THE AUDITION DAY?

Please contact the Director at mcneesecowgirlkickers@yahoo.com

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DO I NEED TO KNOW A DANCE ROUTINE?

On the week of auditions, a pom sideline routine will be emailed to you.  This will need to be learned individually and will be scored during auditions.  In addition to this, a jazz routine and a hip hop combo will be taught live and will be scored. 

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DO I HAVE TO ATTEND THE RECRUITMENT CLINICS?

No.  The clinics are not mandatory.  However, they will be helpful in preparing for auditions and do serve as events to be invited in to 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 are no attire requirements for these clinics.

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WHAT DO I WEAR FOR AUDITIONS?

Attire should consist of black sports bra tops and black fitted dance shorts with no tights.  In addition, black pants can be worn during hip hop rounds.  You should bring half soles/paws, jazz shoes, and tennis shoes each day. 

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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.  From the time of auditions throughout the year, records are kept to track progress and to maintain fitness levels and weight.

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IS THERE AN AUDITION FEE?

Auditions are by invitation only, so no fee is required.  There are, however, fees associated with video submissions, audition clinics and events, and The Kicker Experience. 

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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.

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WHAT SKILLS DO I HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE AT THE AUDITIONS?

Dancers should be prepared to demonstrate all skills listed on the video submission information sheet during auditions.

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WHEN WILL THE FINAL ROSTER BE ANNOUNCED?

After all judging is completed, a roster will be announced the Sunday evening of auditions.  New members will have their first meeting the following week.

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HOW OFTEN IS PRACTICE HELD?

There are required summer weekend practices.  The 2025 Summer Practice Schedule is listed above as an example. 

Weekly practice schedule is currently Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6-8:30am, Mondays 5:30-9:30pm, and Fridays 12-3pm.  Band practice is also on Saturday of home football game weeks.  Extra practices will be scheduled accordingly. 

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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 regularly for other performances and appearances throughout the year.  The team also performs at all McNeese spirit functions on campus.  Select members will be invited to compete with the team in the spring semester. 

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IS THERE A SCHOLARSHIP?

Yes…. a first member receives a $700.00 scholarship for the semester, based on successful completion of service.  It then escalates about $100.00 extra per year of completed service.  The scholarship is given at the end of each semester except in special circumstances.  You will also receive 2 credit hours each semester by registering for Kinesiology 138.

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WHAT DOES IT COST TO BE A MEMBER?

Kickers are responsible for their own shoes, tights, and any replacement pieces.  All other team costs are covered by fundraising and sponsorships. 

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WHAT ARE THE GPA REQUIREMENTS?

Kickers are required to maintain 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.