University of Albany Great Dane Cheerleaders 4th at Nationals; UAlbany Sets Cheer/Dance Tryouts for May 2-3 - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – The University at Albany cheerleading team placed fourth at the 2009 NCA/NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship in Daytona Beach, Fla. on Saturday, April 10. The Great Danes had a final score of 8.159 in the Small Coed 1 Division.

Stephen F. Austin was first with a score of 8.868, while Texas-Arlington took second and Long Beach State finished third. The Great Danes, who are coached by Patty Palmer, had a raw score of 8.459, but received a .30 deduction. UAlbany’s dance team also competed in the competition, but did advance to the final.

More than 10,000 cheerleaders, dancers, coaches and fans took part in this year’s NCA/NDA national championship, the largest collegiate cheer and dance event in the world. The event was held April 8-12 and hosted over 200 college teams from across the country in 20 divisions.


UAlbany Cheerleading and Dance Team Tryouts

Dance Team (Dance Studio, PE 3rd Floor)

Saturday, May 2
10:00 a.m.– 12 noon, Clinic
7:00-8:00 p.m., Open Studio for Practice
Sunday, May 3
1:00 – 3:00 PM, Tryouts

Cheerleading (Bubble)

Saturday, May 2
1:00-3:00 p.m., Clinic
6:00-7:00 p.m., Open Gym
Sunday, May 3
10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Tryouts

Incoming UAlbany Freshmen

If you are attending tryouts: Please bring a copy of your acceptance letter and a copy of your insurance card. UAlbany Students: Please bring a copy of your insurance card to tryouts. If you cannot make the tryouts, video will be accepted before these dates.

Coachpalm@aol.com
Or mail to:
Patty Palmer
24 Graylon Place
Albany NY 12203

Dance Team and Cheer Team information below:

University at Albany Dance Team

The University at Albany Dance team is among the most active and visible groups on campus-dancing on the sidelines at home football games and basketball games, making public appearances at community events, and competition in the NCA/NDA College Cheer and Dance National Championships. The UAlbany Dance team consists of a group of young women who enjoy dancing, generating school spirit, and entertaining fans at UAlbany intercollegiate athletic events. The audience is treated to unique choreography that includes fast transitions, leaps, and turns. Their incredible timeout and half-time performances demonstrate a variety of styles, including jazz, pom, and hip hop. Practice sessions focus on choreography, learning and perfecting various elite leaps, turns and jumps. Members of the team area also encouraged to choreograph routines for performances. The UA dance team practices three times a week and are required to attend workouts and runs with the team. Individuals making the team in May are required to attend NDA camp in early August. The Dance Team is currently ranked eight in the nation.

Cheer Team

Thank you for your interest in the University at Albany Cheer Team. Here is some information for you. If you have any questions please let me know. Although the cheerleading team is not recognized as a sport at UA, we are under the direction of the Athletic department. We are also budgeted through athletics. Some of the perks we receive are:

Early class registration

Priority housing sign up
Will call (free game tickets)
Full book scholarship (after you are on the team for a year).

We cheer at all home football games and men’s and women’s basketball games. We only travel to playoff games. Sometimes games do run into you various breaks. We practice three to four times a week. We run and work out in the varsity weight room as a team. We do community service for JDRF, Special Olympics and other charities.

Our tryouts are May 3 and 4th. Freshmen may send in a skills video before the tryout date to be evaluated. You must be accepted into the University at Albany to tryout.

Requirements:

Strong motions and jumps are required. You should have good technique for tunting. If you are a flyer you should be able to at least full down out of your elite stunts. Bases should be able to execute great technique. Tumbling is required. We compete locally and at NCA College Nationals in Daytona the first week of April.

The best advice that I can pass on to you is, COME VISIT! If you can come for a practice or a game you will have the opportunity to see our program in action. You should be able to get a good feel for it and see if it is something you would like to commit to. It does take a lot of time but it is also a wonderful opportunity for you to continue your cheerleading career at a new level.

Cheerfully,

Patty Palmer
University at Albany Cheer Coach
Cell: 518-378-8000 or Coachpalm@aol.com