Team Selection Process
Note: We do not hold a traditional tryout. Team members are selected through a structured recruitment process outlined below.
Step 1: Recruitment Form
Recruitment forms and videos may be submitted beginning in the spring of your sophomore year of high school. A video submission is required for consideration. Forms are reviewed on a rolling basis. Please click the link below to go to our recruitment form and instructions for submission: https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/form/11
Recruitment Deadlines
- Class of 2026: January 15, 2026
- Class of 2027: October 1, 2026
- Class of 2028: September 1, 2027
Step 2: Meet the Staff
We encourage prospective team members to meet us in person whenever possible—on campus at our clinics, at competitions, or at national recruiting events. Attending clinics is the best way to interact with our coaching staff and train alongside our current athletes.
Clinic Opportunities
- Summer Coed Stunt & College Prep Clinics: June, July, August
- Fall Coed Stunt & College Prep Clinics: September, October
- Winter Coed Stunt & College Prep Clinic: February
- Spring Coed Stunt & College Prep Clinic: April
- Specialized Skill Clinics (as offered)
Step 3: Evaluation
Throughout the process, the coaching staff may reach out for:
- Interviews
- Follow-up videos
- References
- Additional information
Step 4: Offers
Offers are extended on a rolling basis. All offers for each recruitment class will be issued by April 1 of that year.
General Timeline
Freshman Year
- Attend clinics and/or national events/combines to gain exposure and experience. Sophomore Year
Sophomore Year
- Attend clinics and/or national events/combines.
- Email the coaching staff to express interest in the program. Relevant updates—such as competition videos or upcoming visits to campus—are always welcome.
- March 1: Can first submit your skills video and complete the recruiting questionnaire.
Junior Year
- Attend clinics and/or national events/combines.
- Email the coaching staff with program interest and updates (competition footage, campus visits, etc.).
- Continue working on and updating your skills video and recruiting questionnaire.
Senior Year
- Attend clinics and/or national events/combines.
- Continue communication with the coaching staff and share relevant updates.
- Attend an on campus recruitment weekend if offered by coaching staff.
- Finalize and submit your skills video and recruiting questionnaire if not already completed.
- Fall: Apply to The Ohio State University by November 1 for Early Action consideration.
- Winter: The coaching staff begins extending offers for positions on The Ohio State University Cheer Team on a rolling basis, based on current team needs.
Follow us on social media for the latest on the recruiting events we will be hosting and attending! We post all up to date information regarding on-campus clinics as well as national competitions, combines and events that we will be attending here.
- Instagram: @ohiostatecheerteam
- X (twitter): @OSU_spiritsquad
- Facebook: The Ohio State University Cheerleaders
