Vandal Gems Recruitment Process

Recruitment Video Deadlines and Priority Consideration for incoming and current students:

• Early Submission Deadline: September 1, 2025
• Standard Submission Deadline: January 1, 2026
• Late Submission Deadline: April 1, 2026
• NOTE: Late submissions (received by April 1, 2026) will only be considered after all early and standard submissions have been reviewed.
  

Priority Review

• Videos submitted by the early deadline will receive highest priority.
• Submissions by the standard deadline will receive secondary consideration.
• Late submissions will be reviewed with lowest priority, based on available space and program needs.

Step 1:

All items listed Below are Items are required for consideration of the Vandal Gems Team:

• Make a tryout payment of $50
• Complete Vandal Gems Recruitment Form
• Submit your skills video via a YouTube link in the recruitment form above. A list of required skills can be found further down on this page.

Step 2:

• Come visit us. This can include a Campus Tour or a Clinic/Recruiting Event
• Current students are encouraged to setup a meeting with the Head Coach Katie Doman to discuss information and details about the program.

Step 3:

• Follow us on social media to stay up to date with our programs:
• Instagram: @‌IdahoSpirit
• Facebook: @‌VandalSpiritSquad

Recruitment Timeline for High School Athletes:

Sophomore/Junior Year of high school:
Potential candidates reach out to coaching staff expressing interest in the Vandal Spirit Squad. Attendance at recruitment clinics is strongly recommended.

Summer-Fall of Senior Year:
Complete the Recruitment Form and secure requirements. Attendance at recruitment clinic is strongly advised as all material needed for recruitment videos will be taught.

Fall-winter of Senior Year:
Apply to University of Idaho. April 1 recruitment form and videos are due. Participants will receive an email on status of moving to final round in April.

Recruitment for Current College Students:

Apply to University of Idaho. April recruitment form and videos are due. Participants will receive an email on status of moving to final round in April.

Contact Head Coach Katie Doman at your earliest convenience to review the details and commitment expectations of the Spirit Squad Program.

Complete the Recruitment Form and secure requirements. Attendance at the recruitment clinic is strongly advised as all material needed for recruitment videos will be taught.

Video Requirements:

Introduction: Please keep responses to 30 seconds per question, with a total maximum duration of 3 minutes.

• Name, Age, Hometown, Studio/Team, Brief Dance Background

Answer the following questions:

• Why do you want to be on a college dance team?
• Why do you think would be a good candidate for a college dance team?
• What is your intended major?

Skill Demonstration Filming Requirements — Film continuously in one take: Dancer may repeat the skill, if necessary, a maximum of two attempts. Videos do not need to be professionally edited. Athlete should be well lit Full body should be visible in the frame. Consider filming straight on for the best angle.

Female Attire: Black Sports Bra or Tank Top and Black Shorts

Male Attire: All black

Turns:

• Triple (3) Parallel Pirouette (Right)
• Quadruple (4) Parallel Pirouette (Right)
• Quintuple (5) Parallel Pirouette (Right)
• Triple (3) Parallel Pirouette (Left)
• A la seconde turn combination (showcasing a la seconde turns, changing spots, floats, variation in pom and leg position, speed, pirouette and other technical elements) — minimum 3 counts of 8 in length.

Jumps/Leaps

• Right open second leap
• Right calypso or Turning Jete Attitude
• Switch leaps — minimum 2 (any variation — regular switch leap, switch tilt, switch arabesque, switch open, either side)
• Single toe touch
• Double toe touch

Flexibility

• Side tilt
• Penche
• Leg turn (any variety)

Acro

• Walkover (front or back)
• Side aerial (right and left)

Skill Demonstration: Optional Elements- 3 minute maximum for showcasing skills

• Front aerial
• Standing back tuck
• Back Handspring
• Headspring
• Kip up
• Rubberband
• Scorpion
• Advanced technical elements or specialty skills of choice

Style Combinations: Three (3) 45-second combination demonstrating different styles: Jazz, Pom and Hip Hop.

Optional Solo Entry: One (1) solo performance of any style with a three minute maximum of routine. Can be filmed in studio or submitted from a competition (needs to be from within 6 months of submission)

Questions? Reach out to the head coach by sending an email to kdoman@uidaho.edu.