Mascot Tryout Information

Mr. Major entertains the crowd and helps to encourage fan participation. Mr. Major attends all home and in-town football and most basketball home games. He will occasionally attend soccer, volleyball, baseball and softball games. Mr. Major also makes appearances at pep rallies and other athletic events.

Millsaps College selects 1-2 people to serve as the mascot, "Mr. Major" each year. Mr. Major appears at all home football games, pep rallies, some home basketball games, and other special occasions.

Candidates are chosen based upon their ability to perform various skills, including improvised and planned material. Ideal candidates have energy, enthusiasm, a creative imagination, school spirit, and athletic ability.

Qualifications:
Current or accepted incoming Millsaps student may tryout for the squad. Proof of personal medical insurance is required. Insurance must be maintained throughout the year. Applicants must be in good standing with the College with a sufficient fitness level to perform.

Acceptance to Millsaps College:
If you have not yet applied, please call our admissions office toll-free at 800-352-1050 or you may apply online at /admiss/apply/appinstructions.shtml.

Scholarships:
Millsaps does NOT offer scholarships for any athletic program, including the mascot. Scholarships are based primarily on academic performance. After evaluating academic performance other factors such as essays, involvement, and leadership skills are taken into consideration.

Applicants may perform at Spring Tryouts or submit a Video Tryout.

Mascot Spring Tryouts:

The Spring Tryout will be held April 28 in the Hall Activities Center at Millsaps College. The main purpose of the tryout is to select the best overall individuals to portray Mr. Major. Everyone must tryout each year, including former mascots. The tryout process includes practice time to work in the costume, short interview and a tryout.

There is a $5 Tryout Fee that can be paid on-site by cash, money order or check payable to Millsaps Cheerleading.

Schedule:
Friday,
3 p.m. Practice areas available. Hall Activities Center
4 p.m. Registration begins. Hall Activities Center Main Lobby.
5 p.m. Tryout begins. Hall Activities Center

What to Bring:
Mascot application with photo
Proof of personal medical insurance
Millsaps College ID or letter of acceptance to Millsaps
Liability waiver - if under the age of 18, it must be signed by parent or guardian
$5 in cash, check or money order made out to "Millsaps Cheerleaders"
Change of clothes (locker rooms are available)
Supplemental video (if desired)
Props you want to use
Audio tape or CD of your tryout skit (if necessary)
Tennis Shoes and water

Tryout Requirements:
1. Original Skit in Costume.
Perform a 2 minute skit with props. A 2 minute set-up and take-down time will be given to each candidate. You may have other people help you with preparation and take-down. No electric, gas-powered or motorized props allowed. No mini-tramps allowed.

2. Emotions in Costume. Each candidate will draw 1-2 emotions to act out.

3. Improv Situations in Costume. Applicants will be asked to react to 2 scenarios. You may be presented with props, game situations, or music for dancing.

4. Interview. Judges will ask all candidates a few questions at the conclusion of their tryout.

All Spring Tryout participants may supplement their tryout with a video tape showing additional skills / Highlights. This video may be NO LONGER than 3 minutes in length.

Mascot Videotape Tryouts:

Videotapes are accepted for those individuals who are not able to make it to the tryouts. Please take extra precautions in mailing to avoid damage to tapes. All tapes must be VHS format. Tapes will not be returned.

Tape format:
Please Limit Your Tape to NO LONGER than 12 minutes.
Place contact information on Tape Label on the actual video tape.
Please tape putting the head of the costume on at the beginning of any segment OR taking the head off at the end.

1. General Information: The beginning of your tape should include your name, hometown, and any related experience.

2. Personal Interview: Please concisely and completely answer the following questions.
Why do you want to be Mr. Major?
How can you, the mascot, help engage the crowd in the game?
What motivates you to do your best?

3. Original Skit in Costume.
Perform a 2 minute skit with props.

4. Emotions in Costume.
Show these emotions in costume: Sadness, Excitement & Love.

5. Situations in Costume. These may be reactions or short improvisational skits.
Show one way to react in costume to each of the following situations:
Pre-game or half-time music / activity for sport of your choice / Touchdown

6. Highlights(optional)
If you wish to add a section to showcase your ability, you may do so. This is the only section that may include material from previous performances.

For Video Tryouts, please mail the following:
1. Video (VHS, DVD)
2. Mascot Application with photo
3. Copy of Insurance Card.
4. Copy of letter of acceptance to Millsaps College
5. $5 Tryout Fee (check or money order made payable to "Millsaps Cheerleading")

Mail to:
Millsaps Cheerleading
c/o Heather Wilson
1701 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39210-0001