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The Terrapin Spirit Squad is an integral part of the pageantry and excitement of Maryland Athletics! This group of students currently supports football, men's basketball, and women's basketball. They are the core of the Maryland Terrapin spirit!

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Maryland Spirit Squad Has "Best of Both Worlds"

On Monday, Jaclyn Dalinsky was in Albuquerque, N.M. cheering the women's basketball team on to the Final Four. On Sunday she arrived in Boston to sitting courtside while the women won the NCAA Division I National Championship on Tuesday. Early Wednesday morning, she was on her way to Daytona Beach, Fla. for NCA College Cheerleading Nationals. By Saturday, her own team had competed on the beach and placed 7th out of 30 Division I Small Co-ed teams.

Such is the life of a Maryland Spirit Squad Cheerleader.

Head Coach Jamie Little is more amazed every year at the experiences. The University of Maryland is one of only four schools in NCAA history to have won both men's and women's basketball titles; Little has been on the court both. In fact, Brenda Frese invited her to cut down part of the net at the Albuquerque regional game which sent the women to the Final Four this year.

Little says the honor is just a testament to the family that evolved between the two teams this year. "The basketball team, its organization, and their fans have really reached out to show their gratitude for the support of the cheerleaders." Not many cheer teams are so welcomed into their athletic community.

Dalinksy agrees. "We know the payers so well now. We know their families and their friends. I wasn't playing in the game and I felt like I had won the title. "

Even without all the wins, the perks are great, too. Jaclyn says "I was right on the floor at the game. My family and friends saw me on TV." When the women won, the cheerleaders rushed the court to celebrate and were given championship hats and t-shirts, too. "I got mine from the players on the court, not from the campus bookstore. No one else can say that."

But while the women's basketball team's season was over, the cheerleaders headed to Daytona Beach, Fla. for their own national competition. Unfortunately, one of the men was injured during pre-lims, causing "major changes " to be made to the routine. Coach Little was "a little disappointed" at having to change the routine.

"We were more confident and ready for nationals than we had ever been in the past," she said. "But I am pleased and I was amazed at how they handled the situation. There are many teams that go home without ever setting foot on the finals stage." She is proud of their ability to place among the top teams in the nation despite such a setback.

The benefits of Spirit Squad are different than those for Competitive Cheer. The most basic difference is spirit squad cheers for the sports teams, while competitive cheer competes at least 10 times yearly to prepare for NCA Nationals. Competitive Cheer is also a varsity, scholarshipped sport. Each team would tell you they enjoy their team best, but that is why Maryland Athletics offers both.

"I get more out of cheering for the traditional idea. I have such an apprecation for football and basketball and I wanted to show my support for those programs. Some cheerleaders don't feel that way,"Dalinsky says.

"Cheering at Maryland has given me the most memorable moments of my college experience...and some of the best moments of my life."

To become a member of the Maryland Terrapin Spirit Squad...Read On!

ABOUT THE SPIRIT SQUAD
About The Program
The University of Maryland game cheerleaders are commonly referred to by the University of Maryland as the "Spirit Squad" in order to distinguish the difference between the cheerleaders that focus on supporting intercollegiate athletics, and the University's new "Competitive Cheer" team.

The University of Maryland Spirit Squad program consists of both all-girl and co-ed team members that work together cohesively as one team. There is no status difference between all-girl and co-ed team members. The only difference between the members is that the "all-girl" members partner stunt with female bases and female flyers, and the "co-ed" members partner stunt with male bases and female flyers.

Football Season
During the fall season, the entire Spirit Squad will cheer for all home football games. Selected members will be chosen to travel to the away football games. If the football team progresses to a post season bowl game, selected members will be chosen to travel to that event.

Basketball Season
During basketball season, selected members will be chosen to cheer the majority of the men's home games, and a limited number of women's home games. The remaining members will cheer the majority of the women's home games and a limited number of men's home games. The members given the priority to cheer at men's games will be selected based on talent, attitude, seniority and their performance during football season. In addition to home basketball games, selected Spirit Squad members will travel to pre-season and post season tournaments such as the ACC and NCAA tournaments (both men's and women's).

Nationals
In October, tryouts will be held for those interested in competing at the National Championship. 20 members will be chosen in addition to 3 alternates (1 female base, 1 flyer and 1 male). This team will compete at the NCA national championship in the April.