NoMercy224

LOVE this idea!!! I think that would be awesome.

Everything that has been posted (except the coaching situation) is in regards to the "spirit groups" (Cheerleaders, dancers and mascots). I don't know details of the dancers funding. I do know they don't travel during football season which means they have more money in their budget for different uniforms and gameday attire... Having 6 cheerleaders travel to away football games means only one uniform (the same one for the past 5 years) and no other gameday clothing options. We enjoy traveling to away games... it's (personally) one of my favorite things. So... we choose that option. The dancers also receive a lot of benefits because they have a COACH that supports them TREMENDOUSLY. She works hard to make sure they are taken care of and have shoes, bags, backpacks, etc. I transferred to North Texas from a small D-3 university where I received a CHEER scholarship of $1,000 a semester. I came to North Texas for better education opportunities and decided to try out for the cheerleading squad just to see if I'd make it. I did and although I miss my $2,000 a year- I've continued to try out for the past 3 years. I've made friendships that will last a lifetime and had the pleasure to be apart of SO many amazing opportunities including: traveling, competing, performing at Stars Games, being apart of this upcoming Super Bowl, NCAA tournament, not to mention all the amazing people I've met by being at athletic events As much as I would love to have a scholarship, I'd love even more to have a COACH. I will not be returning to the team next year, time to focus on graduating... but I'm hoping the coaching situation is resolved SOONER than later. It's been rough going the past 5 months without receiving any word on a coach and I am so thankful to have team mates that have come together to help each other instead of jumping ship when times got hard. Tryouts are in April- that's about 3 more months for a coach to be named. Without that, we really have no idea where our team is headed.

Scholarships, stipends, book money, meal plays, etc. is something the cheerleaders have been working to get for a long time. As the first post stated, his wife was told it was in the works TEN years ago. In 2009 we were invited to a dinner with Dr. B and RV to discuss some of these things. Although we are closely associated with North Texas "Athletics", we are DIRECTLY associated with 'Marketing and Promotions'. We are strictly a spirit group, not athletes. We receive lots of support for the athletic department but any scholarship money that is available goes to football, basketball, soccer, softball and other sports. We were told for us to be able to receive scholarships, it was up to our alumni. They would have to set it up with the school and somehow make it a "Cheerleading only" scholarship. In the past three years, we've gone from ONLY getting camp t-shirts and warm-ups... to now receiving shirts, bags, backpacks, sweat shirts AND shoes! I can't tell you how excited I was when an order form went around for shoe sizes at one of our practices. It was like an answered prayer. We think small... I'd probably have a heart attack if scholarships were ever a real possibility; I'm just thrilled we have shoes. However, this year... we lost a coach... mid-season. This really wouldn't have been such a bad situation if there was any sort of backup plan... but my team mates have just been put on the back burner. Understandably, they have bigger fish to fry... the football team also lost a coach so that was a little more of a priority than ours... and there is a HUGE new stadium in construction... but they fired the cheer coach and although there have been applicants, there has [still] not been a single interview... or even a call back. Anyway- As far as I've been told... there is no scholarship money available for *spirit groups* (Dancers and mascots included). We are here, at every basketball game, athletic event, appearance because we love the program and the university. It's not easy... it's a lot of hard work... but it's lots of fun! Thank you so much for your support

Here are pictures from Halli's 5th Birthday party!! *Future North Texas cheerleaders Go Mean Green!

You'd have better luck calling Eagle89 about that question actually.

I gave permission for my phone number to be used on this forum... only because I did not have a login created to reply... but I went ahead and created one so there was no confusion. I have no problem blocking numbers or unwanted contact but if there is any need to contact me about information or questions regarding North Texas cheerleading, appearances or other similar topics... feel free to contact me. I am so glad my team mates and myself could be involved in such a great event for one of my past gymnastics students. Spending time with kids outside of the "North Texas athletic" scene and just being involved with families in the community is a perk of our job. *Ashley UNT cheer captain meangreencheer@gmail.com (972) 571-5997