USC Cheerleaders

The USC Cheerleaders are a world famous spirit squad rooting for their favorite team: the University of Southern California. The cheerleaders of USC are actually comprised of two separate squads: the Song Girls and the Spirit Squad. In addition, Traveler, a white horse with a Trojan warrior astride, is the team's mascot and makes an appearance at every home football game.

The USC Cheerleaders actually require a substantial amount of people in the background working together to promote USC spirit and to represent the University. To be on any part of the USC Cheerleaders’ squad is an opportunity to be a visible part of the heritage of the school.

When people think of USC Cheerleaders, they are generally thinking of the USC Song Leaders, an elite dance squad that works closely with the marching band to perform during USC football games.

USC Song Leaders are the most visible part of the USC Cheerleaders’ spirit team. Most girls on the squad have had advanced training in ballet and/or jazz dance techniques. While it’s not required, it certainly helps in order to stay competitive in the process.

In order to try out, you are required to:

• Carry at least 12 credits; the minimum amount you can have and still be considered a full time student
• Learn two routines, one to the USC Fight Song and one technical jazz routine
• Be interviewed
• Present two original routines

Being a USC Song Girl requires a substantial time commitment. Song girls practice two to three hours, five days per week. In addition, they perform at all home football games, and men’s and women’s basketball games. They also perform at bowl games, the Notre Dame game and other PAC-10 games depending on the season record. Parts of the squad are sent to all away games. In addition, some members of the squad are required to stay in the area to perform at various venues during the summer and winter breaks. The girls also travel during the summer to Asia or Europe with the Trojans marching band.

Aside from the traveling, being a Song Girl comes with a lot of other perks. The USC Song Girls have sponsors (this equates to getting free stuff), they meet famous people, and they also get exposure on a national stage.

The USC Spirit Leaders are the newest tradition on the USC spirit squad. It was established in 2006. These dedicated individuals are comprised of males and females with a goal of making the Trojan fans as loud as possible to intimidate their opponents and create an atmosphere of support for Trojan Warriors. They travel to all away games as well as being at all home games. They are what you would consider traditional “yell” leaders.

Megaphones, signs and props are all part of this teams’ strategy to get the crowd off its feet and yelling in the stands. While the Spirit squad works with the Trojan Marching Band and the Song Girls, this is mostly a non-stunting team. The Spirit Squad members have to have big and energetic personalities.

Traveler, a white horse that is ridden by a fully decked out Trojan warrior at all home games, has been a part of USC tradition since 1961. He rides around the stadium after every Trojan score. USC is now on Traveler VII, and the breeds have changed, but it has always been a white horse. The current Traveler is a National Champion pure bred Andalusian horse. Traveler makes a variety of appearances with the USC Song Girls and Spirit Leaders.

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• Category:Cheerleaders