UNH spirit groups offer opportunities for participation to students who would like to contribute to the success of the Chargers in a slightly different way. The University's spirit groups provide a valuable service to the Department of Athletics, helping to promote the Charger Athletics teams and add to the game-day atmosphere at each of the Chargers' home athletic venues.
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Cheerleaders
The University of New Haven’s Cheerleading program supports the intercollegiate athletic teams at UNH. Currently the Charger Cheerleaders attend and cheer at all home football and men’s and women’s basketball games.
The team is involved in many activities that take place on campus; such as spirit week, pep rallies and contest promotions. The squad will also work to promote activities and events through the athletic department such as Midnight Madness, various fundraisers sponsored by the Student Athletic Advisory Committee and community events.
Anyone interested in cheering for the University of New Haven’s Cheerleading team must tryout every year. Currently tryouts occur at the beginning of each fall semester and in April. All interested candidates must obtain a health screening through the University’s Health Services, complete a medical form through the Athletic Department, and have current medical health coverage. Information is available at the Sports Medicine webpage.
If you are interested in receiving more information about the Charger Cheerleaders or would like to come watch the team perform at a basketball game, please contact Stephanie Ciccone at sciccone@newhaven.edu or the Department of Athletics at (203) 932-7357.
Dance Team
The UNH Dance Team was established at the University over 10 years ago. The UNH Dance Team is completely self-choreographed, and are classified as a Spirit Group under the Department of Athletics. They are responsible for promoting school spirit, and crowd morale at all home football and basketball games. Along with performing at the sporting events, the UNH Dance Team performs at many on and off campus events including the International Festival, Deepher Dude, Mr. UNH, the Sigma Chi Swimsuit Show, the 5678 Show, volunteer work at the MS Walk in West Haven, the UNH Step Team Show and Sacred Heart University's Force Dance Team Kick-Off Event. In years past, they have performed at the New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade, and every year host their annual Spring Showcase. The UNH Dance team performs mostly jazz and hip hop style routines, but also performs other genres of dance such as, tap, ballet, point, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and cultural!
The UNH Dance Team's Spring Showcase has been a sold out show every year. The show accommodates over 60 dancers, and dance teams from colleges and universities in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts are invited to perform and help raise money to benefit the Rape Crisis Center in Milford, Conn. In 2007, the dance team was recognized as one of the top collegiate dance teams in the state after being invited to perform at Yale's Explosion Competition.
The UNH Dance Team holds auditions once every year during the first few weeks of the fall semester to look for dancers to add to their hard-working, motivated, dedicated, and committed team. For more information regarding the team, they can be reached at UNHDanceTeam@gmail.com.
Pep Band
The Chargers Pep Band became recognized by the USGA in September of 1997, and is now in its tenth year as an official club.
Some of the Pep Band's most recent accomplishments include: traveling to Bridgeport to play for the ECC Women’s Basketball championships in 2007; winning the School Spirit Award in both spring 2006 & 2007; and receiving the "Club of the Year" Award in spring 2007.
You can find the Pep Band participating at many of the University’s home athletic contests as well as many local community events. The Pep Band looks forward to the continued promotion of school spirit and musical excellence.
