The BYU Cougarettes recently hosted their annual Fall Intensive.
This intensive includes a full day of workshops where dancers take classes and receive direction from current Cougarettes and coaches. Both coaches give individualized feedback to high school juniors and seniors hoping to make the team in future years.
Starting last year, the BYU Cougarettes began their own type of recruitment.
The coaches can keep a close eye on potential future Cougarettes and communicate their interest, but they cannot guarantee a student’s acceptance into BYU.
Students must still gain acceptance to the university through their own efforts.
Coaches Morgan St. Pierre and Stacy Bills use the Fall Intensive as an opportunity to scout new recruits. They can personally invite dancers to this clinic if they see potential for them on the team.
The BYU Cougarettes officially recruited for the first time last year when they brought on dancers Emersyn Dickson, Cambree Snow and Hailey Bills after their acceptance into the university.
New this year, the coaches allowed interested dancers to submit “recruitment video submissions.”
These videos showcase dancers' skills, which are reviewed before the Fall Intensive. From these videos, the coaches personally invited select prospects to tour the BYU campus, attend a BYU football game and interview with them if desired. Chosen dancers received a letter of interest and invitation to these activities.
When asked about her feelings regarding the ability to recruit, St. Pierre said, “We are excited because this keeps us ahead of the curve with other competing universities.”
She added that it’s important to let athletes know they’re interested in them.
St. Pierre also emphasized that she and Bills have limited availability to recruit, so they must be specific and confident in their choices.
“We loved seeing them live,” said St. Pierre, referring to the Fall Intensive. She and Bills enjoyed watching the dancers in person, as many showcased their talent especially well live.
The BYU Cougarettes will host another dance intensive similar to the Fall Intensive in the spring, focusing more on audition preparation techniques.
The coaches are currently working on dates and will be announcing them soon.