Cheer Tryouts Cause a Commotion

By: Basma Belal

@basmabelal8

AUC’s first ever cheerleading tryouts, initially held on September 14, were held again four days later after a miscommunication between the Office of Athletics and Integrated Marketing  Communication sophomore Dena Beshir, who first pitched the idea.

Beshir, who believed that she would be the one holding the tryouts, said that she was never informed about the schedule. Her friend accidentally came across an announcement on the Office of Athletics’ Instagram page and notified Beshir.

“I tried to talk to the gymnastics coaches regarding the day to conduct the tryouts but I didn’t feel welcomed,” Beshir added.

Beshir said that the tryouts were mainly an assessment of gymnastic flexibility and acrobatics.

“In my whole cheerleading experience I have never done a split or a cartwheel, so I don’t understand why they’re assessing that,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Office of Athletics told The Caravan that gymnastics coaches were present to cooperate with Beshir and oversee the judging of the applicants.

Amira Farag, recreational and fitness manager at the Office of Athletics, said that the gymnastics assessment was to gauge body form and strength.

“Cheerleading does require some throwing and jumping, so the girls must have some kind of experience in gymnastics to prevent any injuries,” said Farag.

Farag explained that Beshir was informed of the limitations in her role at the tryouts and that the university could not grant her full control due to safety and legal reasons.

“Dena Beshir was supposed to help the coaches and be the captain. We cannot let the student lead the club because it has a lot of liabilities that comes with contracts and waivers – and if there would be an accident with a student, she would be responsible,’’ Farag added.

The tryouts announcement did stress the need for a background in gymnastics: “If you have dance and/or gymnastics experience and love to cheer and have fun, don’t miss the chance to tryout.”

Beshir said she was also not notified of the rescheduled tryouts on September 18 and found out by accident. Beshir then contacted Farag and was then informed that the tryouts are to be run by both her and the gymnastic coaches to split the assessment into dance and gymnastics where they would choose 15 dancers and 15 gymnasts.

Beshir has been trying to introduce cheerleading to AUC ever since she became a student here two years ago and finally,  for the first time in AUC history, a cheerleading club is up and running.