You’re standing in the tunnel of Michigan Stadium. It’s 115 degrees on the asphalt. The air smells like hot dogs and expensive turf. Suddenly, 110,000 people start screaming at once. Most people focus on the quarterback, but if you look at the sidelines, you’ll see the University of Michigan cheerleading squad holding the literal energy of the Big House in their hands. It’s exhausting. It’s loud. Honestly, it’s a bit terrifying if you aren't prepared for a 200-pound linebacker-sized human to launch a flyer thirty feet into the air while a drumline rattles your ribcage.
The maize and blue uniform isn't just about looking good for the cameras. It’s a legacy. But people get the "cheer" part wrong all the time. They think it's just about shouting "Go Blue!" and smiling. It isn't. It’s a high-stakes athletic discipline that functions as the bridge between the fans and the team. If the cheerleaders lose the crowd, the momentum shifts.
The Reality of University of Michigan Cheerleading
What actually goes on behind the scenes at Crisler Center or the Big House? It’s not just game day. The University of Michigan cheerleading program is a year-round commitment that starts long before the first kickoff in September. Most of these athletes are jugglers. Not literal jugglers—though they probably could—but they are balancing intense academic loads at one of the best public universities in the world with a practice schedule that would break most people.
They train. Hard.
Conditioning isn't a suggestion; it’s survival. You’ve got to have the core strength to hold a person above your head for three minutes while "The Victors" plays for the twentieth time in a single quarter. The squad is technically a "spirit group" under the Michigan Athletics umbrella, but don't let the terminology fool you. They are athletes. They compete. They tumble on hard floors. They get concussions. They deal with torn ACLs.
Different Teams for Different Vibes
Michigan actually splits the duties to make sure every sport gets the love it deserves. You have the Coed Team and the All-Girl Team.
The Coed squad is what you usually see at the football games. It’s the classic look. Big stunts, tosses that defy physics, and a lot of power. Then you have the All-Girl squad, which is equally impressive but focuses on different technical stunting styles and elite tumbling. They both show up for basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics, too. It’s a lot of ground to cover.
Basically, if there’s a major Michigan sport happening, there’s a high probability someone is doing a backflip nearby.
The Competition Factor: Beyond the Sidelines
While the fans only see the "spirit" side, the University of Michigan cheerleading teams are also focused on NCA (National Cheerleaders Association) Nationals. Every year, they head down to Daytona Beach, Florida. This is where the "Go Blue" attitude gets cutthroat.
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It’s two minutes and fifteen seconds of pure chaos.
They are competing against the best of the best—Louisville, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech. The pressure is immense because a single bobble or a foot out of place can tank a whole year of work. Michigan has a history of holding its own here. They aren't just there to participate; they are there to prove that Big Ten cheerleading is as elite as anything coming out of the South or the West Coast.
- The Routine: It’s a mix of a "Game Day" segment (which focuses on crowd leading) and a "Competitive" segment (the flips, the pyramids, the stuff that looks impossible).
- The Prep: Imagine practicing the same 135 seconds of movement for six months straight. That’s the reality.
- The Stakes: Winning a national title brings a level of prestige that helps with recruiting. High school cheerleaders from all over the country want to wear that block M.
What It Takes to Make the Cut
If you think you can just show up and join the University of Michigan cheerleading squad, you're in for a reality check. The tryout process is grueling. They aren't just looking for someone who can do a standing back tuck, though that’s basically the baseline requirement now.
They want "The Michigan Man" or "The Michigan Woman" archetype.
This means you need to be an ambassador. When you’re in that uniform, you’re the face of the school. You’re talking to donors, high-fiving kids, and representing a multi-billion dollar athletic brand. They look for vocal projection—can you lead 100,000 people without a megaphone? They look for "collegiate" appearance, which basically means looking neat, athletic, and approachable.
And the grades? They matter. Michigan doesn't lower the bar for spirit squads. If you can’t handle the coursework in Ann Arbor, you won't be on the mat. Period.
The "Spirit" Hierarchy and the Mascot
You can’t talk about University of Michigan cheerleading without mentioning the weird dynamic of the mascot. Or lack thereof.
Wait. Michigan doesn't have a mascot.
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Most schools have a giant furry bird or a guy in a cape. Michigan has... the block M. There have been attempts to bring in a live wolverine (which went poorly because wolverines are mean) and mascot costumes (which fans hated). Because there is no mascot to act as the "hype man," the responsibility falls entirely on the cheerleaders and the dance team.
This makes the Michigan squad unique. They don't have a mascot to hide behind or to take the lead on skits. They are the entertainment. They are the ones who have to start the "Let's Go Blue" chant when the team is down by 10 in the fourth quarter and the crowd is starting to get grumpy. It’s a heavy lift, literally and figuratively.
Misconceptions That Drive Cheerleaders Crazy
Let's clear the air on a few things.
First, "It’s not a sport." This is an old, tired argument. If you define a sport by physical exertion, skill, and competition, cheerleading at the U of M fits the bill ten times over. The sheer force exerted on a flyer's joints during a landing is comparable to what a football player experiences during a tackle.
Second, "They just get in for free." Well, yeah, they get into the games, but they are working the whole time. They don't sit in the stands and eat nachos. They are on their feet, facing away from the game, monitoring the crowd, and staying ready for a stunt at a moment’s notice. They miss the big plays because they are busy making sure the student section stays engaged.
Third, the "dizzy" factor. People always ask if they get dizzy during those basket tosses. Sorta. But you train your brain to spot the ground. It’s a technical skill, not a carnival ride.
The Legacy of the Maize and Blue
The University of Michigan cheerleading program has been around for over a century. It’s evolved from a group of guys with megaphones in the early 1900s to the coed powerhouse it is today. When you see the alumni come back for homecoming, you realize how deep the bond goes. These people have a "M" ring that they cherish as much as any Rose Bowl winner.
The program also feeds into the community. They do hospital visits at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. They show up at charity 5Ks. They are the physical manifestation of "Michigan Pride."
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It’s about the "Little Victors." It’s about the traditions.
Technical Evolution: From Megaphones to Elite Stunting
If you look at footage from the 1970s, the stunts were basic. High-v’s and maybe a shoulder sit. Today, the University of Michigan cheerleading squad is performing elite level 6 or 7 stunts. We're talking full-up to immediate high-to-high tick-tocks.
The athleticism has skyrocketed.
This shift happened because the NCAA and various cheer organizations started treating it more like gymnastics. The safety protocols changed too. You’ll notice the mats on the sidelines are thicker now. The "spotters"—those people standing around the stunt looking like they’re about to catch a falling piano—are highly trained.
Safety is the biggest priority because a fall on the turf is no joke. The university invests heavily in the health of these athletes, providing them with access to the same trainers and physical therapists that the football and basketball players use.
How to Support or Join the Squad
If you’re a high school athlete looking at Michigan, start early. Attend their clinics. The University of Michigan cheerleading coaches host "Combine" style events where they evaluate your skills. You need to show that you have the "Michigan look" and the "Michigan heart."
For the fans, the best way to support them is simple: Listen to them. When they hold up the signs that say "GO" and "BLUE," don't just sit there. Scream. They are the conductors of the symphony that is Michigan Stadium. Without them, the Big House is just a big hole in the ground with a lot of people in it.
Actionable Steps for Aspiring Michigan Cheerleaders
If you want to wear the maize and blue, here is the reality of what you need to do right now:
- Focus on the Standing Tuck: At the U of M level, a standing back tuck is the bare minimum. If you don't have it on grass or turf, start working with a tumbling coach today.
- Film Your Progress: Create a recruitment video. Include your best stunts, your most powerful tumbling, and—this is key—your "game day" presence. Show that you can lead a crowd.
- Maintain Your GPA: Michigan’s admissions process is notoriously difficult. Being a great cheerleader won't get you in if your SAT/ACT scores and GPA aren't in the ballpark. Talk to an academic advisor about the requirements for the College of LSA or the Ross School of Business.
- Attend a Spring Clinic: This is the best way to get in front of the actual coaching staff. You'll get feedback on your technique and see exactly where you stand compared to the current squad members.
- Watch the Game Film: Don't just watch the football. Watch the sidelines. See how the Michigan cheerleaders move, how they transition between stunts, and how they interact with the band.
Being part of the University of Michigan cheerleading program is a life-changing experience. It's about being part of something bigger than yourself. It's about the sweat, the bruises, and the sheer joy of hearing 110,000 people roar because you helped lead them there. Go Blue.