pledging as a varsity athlete

[carnation]

My daughter cheered varsity at her university while Greek and if anything, it taught her time management. Her grades were great but her squad only went out of town 3 times. I cheered university before I was Greek...it almost ruined my grades because we would frequently have to leave for out-of-state football games on Thursday morning.

At many schools, cheerleading can get really social with alums inviting you to parties, the school wanting you to do extra pep rallies aorund the state, high schools wanting you to judge their competition, etc. If you want to be Greek and a cheerleader, be strong! Remember you're at school for the education and not the parties!

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by carnation

before I was Greek...

I thought you were BORN Greek.

[carnation]

yes, I believe that's the rumor but due to recruitment being only for sophomores at Arkansas and then cheering, I didn't pledge until I was a junior...

[FSUZeta]

we had some cheerleaders, dancers and majorettes in my chapter, but they participated in those activities after their freshman year.

at my daughters college, they have had cheerleaders and dancers who theypledged that were involved in those activities while they were rushing. i guess they managed to make the recruitment parties, and as far as i know they had no problems with chapter and new member meetings. i do know that the fall sport(soccer, cross country) coaches at her school decided that their athletes could not rush-my daughter knew several girls who were disappointed but complied with their coach's wishes. its a shame, because they would have made great members.

your best bet would be to contact the greek life office at your future school and see if any concessions are made for the cheerleaders during recruitment. i know of several schools where they try to work with fall athletes and band members.

[EGAOPi]

I'm not a varsity athlete myself, but I think it's definitely possible to handle the two. Just try to keep the rest of your activities to a minimum because a varsity sport, a sorority and school can be a lot to juggle.

Though I don't play sports, I can still hopefully give you an example--I have a vice president position in my sorority, I'm a delegate for Junior Panhellenic, I'm on Panhellenic Cabinet (in case you're not familiar with it, Panhellenic is the governing body of all the sororities), I'm in 2 outside organizations, I'm taking 18 credit hours, and I go to every single sorority event and meeting we have, plus I still find a lot of time to go out and have fun. My grades are very good, as well. I'm exhausted a lot of the time, but it can be managed and you can have fun with it.

Just be aware that your first semester will probably be pretty tough and busy since you'll be a new member and that usually involves a lot of activities, plus getting used to your team...but I think if you work hard and stick it out, you should be fine!

Also, I know of at least a handful of sorority girls that are either cheerleaders or on the dance team that performs at the football/basketball games.

Good luck!

[LOVEinZTA]

Our social chair (and we're a pretty darn social chapter) is captain of the cheer squad, 2 of our freshman are cheerleaders and 1 is on pom (yes, they were pledging during football season), and we have girls that are very very active in many of the gazillion dance and performance organizations on campus.

It's very possible, and I agree about the time management thing - you'll learn how important it is after your first week and the girls that are so involved are the ones who really have scheduling down to an art!

[ZTA zetahunny]

Originally Posted by LOVEinZTA

Our social chair (and we're a pretty darn social chapter) is captain of the cheer squad, 2 of our freshman are cheerleaders and 1 is on pom (yes, they were pledging during football season), and we have girls that are very very active in many of the gazillion dance and performance organizations on campus.

It's very possible, and I agree about the time management thing - you'll learn how important it is after your first week and the girls that are so involved are the ones who really have scheduling down to an art!

The active member who was mostly reponsible for me pledging ZTA was a varsity cheerleader. Smiles and enthusiasm are contageous. Why wouldn't a chapter want outgoing, involved members? You need all types..regular good girls, athletes, funny girls, crazy girls, spacey girls, brainacs and campus leaders. Everyone has their own place. (Maybe the cheerleaders weren't the most active due to their schedules, but they're usually good rushers.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ZTA zetahunny

Why wouldn't a chapter want outgoing, involved members?

It's not that, it's just that some people cannot handle both and it's not fair for one of the activities (either the sport or the GLO) to suffer. There are schools where if you're in a sport, that's basically ALL you have time for.

If you can fit it all in - great - but I don't believe in having sisters who are never at anything just so you can have a varsity athlete or cheerleader walk around campus wearing your jacket.

[REE1993]

I think that the ability to commit yourself is the most important issue here. If you can communicate your ability to commit (time, finances, etc.) and determine a game plan (no pun intended) for potential conflicts (i.e. mandatory sorority function vs. a big game), then there is no reason why you would be automatically excluded from membership.

I think that being of strong mind and body is a desirable trait, and perhaps a welcome addition to any organization. If fact, some GLOs have specific nutrition/fitness programs that assist their members to live healthfully and maintain good health.

Research the sororities at your new school. Find out which orgnizations promote similar ideals, goals and commitments as you do. You may find one (or many) who share your own passions.

Good luck on your journey!

[UWGPhiBalum]

A number of girls in my chapter were in varsity athletics at the D1 level: soccer, dance team, cheerleading, crew and golf. Some of these girls were super active in the house, too. It definitely can be done---it's all about budgeting your time.

[LOVEinZTA]

Originally Posted by EGAOPi

I have a vice president position in my sorority, I'm a delegate for Junior Panhellenic, I'm on Panhellenic Cabinet (in case you're not familiar with it, Panhellenic is the governing body of all the sororities), I'm in 2 outside organizations, I'm taking 18 credit hours, and I go to every single sorority event and meeting we have, plus I still find a lot of time to go out and have fun. My grades are very good, as well. I'm exhausted a lot of the time, but it can be managed and you can have fun with it.

And personally, I think that's the epitome of what a sorority member SHOULD be!

[ADqtPiMel]

I was a varsity athlete before I was in a sorority (I only lasted one semester due to a bad shoulder injury, and we has deferred rush). I'm not sure I could have done both. I think it depends on your practice schedule - I was in the pool 6 hours each day and still needed to go to class, do homework and work.

[notmanhattan]

Courtney Kupets is an AOPi at Georgia. She is on the National Championship Gymnastics Team and an Olympic Medalist. If she can handle, I would reckon anyone can.