As Tunstall cheerleading tryouts approach, lots of discussion has risen to the surface. In past years, cheerleaders have had to choose between two separate varsity squads: football or basketball. In prior years, tryouts consisted of over 100 participants. Because the amount of girls trying out has lessened over the years, cheerleaders now have the option to cheer for football and basketball, the varsity squad equaling only a total of 14 girls, compared to the past amount of 24 girls.
The reasoning behind the transition is to have a varsity squad composed of dedicated cheerleaders, cheering for the right purpose. “It’s not a competition between varsity football and varsity basketball cheerleaders, it’s about cheering and supporting the sports of Tunstall High School” said JV coach Terri Echols.
JV cheerleaders were asked in their 2013-2014 season to cheer for both JV football and JV basketball. Because the transition for JV went so smoothly, varsity is hoping for the same experience.
The opinions of the change are very diverse due to extracurricular activities other than cheerleading, however, many rising senior cheerleaders are fond of the idea to extend their senior cheerleading year and being able to cheer for both sports. “I think that it’s a good idea to be able to have the option of doing both because we will all have the experience of football and basketball being on a team together, and not being considered separated or two different squads” said junior Haleigh Clark. Some of the previous football cheerleaders have been creating their schedules around the fall sport season; however, they must now begin to choose whether they would like to cheer all year long or quit the spring and winter activities that they have participated in prior to the joining of squads.
Clinics will be held March 17th to March 20th with tryouts being held on March 21st. “Coaches are very excited about the change for this upcoming year and we are looking forward to the 2014-2015 season” said JV coach Terri Echols.

UPDATE: Clinics will now be held April 7th-April 10th with tryouts being held on April 11th. The changes to tryout dates were made because of weather.