Join the Elmhurst Eagles Cheer Family!

Since 1964, Elmhurst Eagles Cheer has been a legendary, award-winning recreational cheer program, building champions on and off the mat! Our teams proudly compete at the State level year after year, bringing home State championships that showcase our dedication and spirit.

At Elmhurst Eagles Cheer, everyone is welcome! We offer a variety of programs designed to meet different commitment levels and budgets, making the sport accessible and fun for all athletes.

As proud members of BGYFL and the ICA, we’re more than just a program, we’re a community where athletes grow, thrive, and shine.

Ready to experience the excitement? Come cheer with the best!

MINI-CHEER

Our Mini-Cheer program is the perfect half-season introduction to cheerleading for our youngest athletes in kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade. Practices focus on learning sideline cheers, jumps, basic stunts, and formation changes, all while having fun!

Mini cheerleaders will cheer at a minimum of 4 flag football games, supporting our teams from the sidelines. The season runs from August to mid-October, with all practices held outdoors (weather permitting). If desired, the season may be extended with agreement from coaches, parents, and athletes.

SIDELINE ONLY CHEER

The Sideline Cheer program, open to 3rd–8th graders, is designed for athletes who want to experience cheerleading in a fun and safe environment with friends.

Athletes practice once a week, learning sideline cheers, jumps, and stunting, and will perform during our Homecoming Pep Rally! Sideline cheerleaders will cheer at 6–8 football games throughout the season, which runs from August to early November.

If Eagles Football advances into the postseason, the sideline cheer season may be extended with agreement from coaches, parents, and athletes. Cheering at a Super Bowl game earns athletes a special BGYFL medal!

COMPETITION CHEER

Our Competition Cheer program is designed for 3rd–8th grade athletes ready to experience the full excitement of cheerleading! Athletes learn tumbling, stunting, jumps, motions, and dance, which are combined into a professionally choreographed routine performed at 3–4 mandatory competitions.

Competition cheerleaders also cheer at a minimum of 4 football games and participate in community volunteer activities. Teams practice 4–8 hours per week, building skills and teamwork.

As cheer continues to grow in intensity at both recreational and high school levels, we encourage athletes to attend:

• Tumbling classes (minimum once per week)

• Eagles-sponsored stunt clinics

• Flexibility classes (recommended for flyers)

Cheerleaders are expected to progress with their tumbling skills during their commitment to the Eagles program. Flyers should be able to pull and hold body positions. Teams are formed by grade level, though combining grades may be necessary depending on enrollment.

For detailed tumbling expectations, please refer to the Parent/Athlete Handbook.

Registration and Uniforms 

Kindergarten: $250.00

Mini Cheer (1st and 2nd Grade): $300.00

Sideline Cheer (3rd-8th Grade): $300.00

Competitive (3rd – 8th Grade): $675.00  

The Registration Fee Covers 

• Practice Rental Space

• Insurance 

• Elmhurst Park District Fees

• Uniform rental   

• Game day shirt

• Game day bow (all teams)

• Competition bow (3rd-8th Grade)

• Music and copyrights for competitions 

• Professional Choreography (3rd – 8th Grade)

• Stunting/Pyramid Classes

• All competition fees (excluding State) 

• Parents are responsible for providing white cheer shoes, white no-show socks and black shorts. All competition athletes will be required to purchase cheer shoes specified by Eagles.

• Mini and Sideline athletes may purchase any white cheer shoe.  

Athletes will be issued one rental cheer skirt or competition uniform which must be returned in the same condition at the end of the season.

Eagles Competitive Cheer (3rd – 8th Grade) Attendance Policy

Elmhurst Eagles Cheerleading is a team sport where full participation is essential for a safe, productive, and successful experience for all cheerleaders. Each athlete’s attendance at practices, games, competitions, and performances is critical, not just for their own growth, but for the safety and success of the entire team. Missing even one practice affects formations, stunts, and the overall team dynamic.

Attendance Policy

Attendance at all practices, games, and competitions is MANDATORY to ensure the best experience for every Eagles athlete and their team.

Absences due to other sports or activities are NOT excused. Elmhurst Eagles Cheerleading must be a priority commitment throughout the season. Proper notification and adherence to attendance procedures are expected.

Excused Absences

Absences will only be excused for the following reasons:

• Illness

• Death in the family

• Religious obligation

• Once-in-a-lifetime special events (requires advance approval from the Coach, limited to 2 days per season). No excused absences are permitted in the week leading to competition.  All special requests for the season must be submitted by June 31 to your team’s Coach for review.

Unexcused Absences

• Missing a practice, game, competition, or event without prior approval

• Arriving late (3+ times) or leaving early, which will count as one unexcused absence

Consequences for Unexcused Absences

• First Infraction: A written warning is issued to the athlete and parents.

• Second Infraction: The athlete will be removed from competition(s) and/or the team.

PRACTICE AND CHOREOGRAPHY

• Start Date: Mandatory Competitive Teams begin July 21st

  • Any scheduling conflicts are to be directed to your team Coach.

• Mini Cheer begins August 4th

• Choreography is mandatory—please plan accordingly.

2025 Choreography Dates:

• 3rd Grade: June 12, 13 and 14th 

• 4th Grade: June 16 and 17th

• 5th Grade: June 13, 14 and 21st

• 6th Grade: June 10, 11 and 12th

• 7th Grade JV: June 23, 24 and 25th

• 8th Grade Varsity: June 28 and 29th

• Practice Schedule: Mini Cheer and Sideline Practices will be at Berens Park. The exact times are still being determined.

• Competition Teams: July and beginning of August will be at Berens Park.  Once school begins practice move inside to York High School. The exact times are still being determined.

FOOTBALL GAMES

• All teams will cheer for home games only at Berens Park.

• Cheerleaders are expected to cheer sidelines for the full game and perform a halftime routine.

• Game schedules will be assigned once the football schedule is released in early August by BGYFL.

• Mini Cheer will cheer football games in September and October, with potential additional games if agreed upon by coaches, athletes, and parents.

• If football teams make Playoffs and Super Bowl, cheerleaders will be expected to cheer and support the teams. 

HOMECOMING

• Homecoming Weekend is a beloved tradition for our Eagles football players, cheerleaders, coaches, and families!

• Some squads may cheer for multiple games during Homecoming Weekend in October.

• Pep Rally: All mini, sideline and Varsity cheer teams are required to perform at the Homecoming Pep Rally (date TBD, typically on a Thursday evening in October). This event replaces practice for that evening.

SHOWCASE

• As our cheer program continues to grow, Showcase will serve as a premier event where all our competitive teams have the opportunity to perform and highlight their hard work.

COMPETITIONS

• Competition Teams will participate in 3-5 competitions, with an opportunity to compete at the ICA State Championship in November, if qualified.

• All competitions are local—no extensive travel required.

• Attendance is mandatory at all competitions.

• 2025 Competition Dates:

  • TBD – More information to come after February ICA meeting.

UNIFORMS

• Provided: Uniforms, game day t-shirt and bows

• Parent Responsibility: White cheer shoes and white no show shorts and black spanks (mini cheer).

• Uniform Fittings: Scheduled for March and May at York HS Commons (details to follow).