Oak Lawn Outlaws
Cheerleading
Since 1981, the Oak Lawn Outlaws Cheerleading Program has focused on recreational cheerleading, competition and community outreach. We serve multiple communities in the south suburbs of Chicago for grades K through 8th grade and are a proud member of the Southwest Midget Football League.
Our program is designed to provide a positive learning experience that focuses on teaching cheerleading skills and safety while having fun, building self-esteem, and teaching valuable teamwork skills. No previous cheerleading experience is required.
2024 Cheerleading Statement
Due to our growing program, safety and supervision, along with facility rental availability, our cheer squad numbers will be capped for the 2024 season.
Once the squad is filled, a cheerleader will be placed on a waitlist. The cheerleader will be allowed to register, however that does not guarantee a spot on the squad. You will be informed if your cheerleader has been waitlisted. If we are able to accommodate a waitlisted cheerleader it will be on a first come first served basis.
The 2024 squad caps will be as follows:
Mighty Mites Sideline (K-2) - 10 - capped as of 4/2/24 - waitlist started
PeeWees Sideline (3-5) - 10
Widgets Competition - 22
PeeWees Competition - 19
Lightweights Competition - 28
Varsity Competition - 32 - capped as of 4/2/24 - waitlist started
Before registering your cheerleader please make sure you thoroughly understand and READ the Oak Lawn Outlaws Cheerleading Attendance Policy.
Our official season start date is July 22, 2024. We will host preseason Strength and Conditioning Camps beginning May 15, 2024.
Cheerleading Strength and Conditioning Camps
The Oak Lawn Outlaws are excited to offer Preseason Cheerleading Strength and Conditioning Camps. These camps are open to ALL youth who wish to participate. These camps are NOT mandatory, but highly encouraged to help build strength and stamina for the upcoming season.
Any athlete attending from a SWMFL franchise who was registered the previous season will be covered by insurance. If you are not part of the Oak Lawn Outlaws Franchise, but wish to participate, please contact: Gail Stearns-Hussein, Vice President of Cheerleading at: ms.stearns@yahoo.com for more information.
Camps will be held starting May 15 - July 3. Camps will be Wednesday and Thursday from 6:00-8:00pm.
Cheerleading Squads
Mighty Mite Sideline
K - 2nd Grade
Practices beginning 7/22/24:
Mondays and Tuesdays
5:30-6:30pm
*Squad dependent upon obtaining volunteer coaches.
MUST be 5 years of age by the first day of the season OR registered for Kindergarten in Fall of 2024
PeeWees - Sideline
3rd, 4th and 5th Grade
Practices beginning 7/22/24:
Mondays and Tuesdays
5:30-6:30pm
*Squad dependent upon obtaining volunteer coaches.
Widgets - Competition
1st and 2nd Grade
Practices beginning 7/22/24:
Monday: 6:00-8:00pm
Wednesday: 5:00-7:00pm
Thursday: 5:00-7:00pm
PeeWees - Competition
3rd and 4th Grade
Practices beginning 7/22/24:
Tuesday: 6:00-8:00pm
Wednesday: 6:00-8:00pm
Thursday: 6:00-8:00pm
Lightweights - Competition
5th and 6th Grade
Practices beginning 7/22/24:
Monday: 6:00-8:00pm
Wednesday: 5:00-7:00pm
Thursday: 5:00-7:00pm
Varsity - Competition
7th and 8th Grade
Practices beginning 7/22/24:
Tuesday: 6:00-8:00pm
Wednesday: 7:00-9:00pm
Thursday: 7:00-9:00pm
Sideline Cheer VS. Competition Cheer
Sideline
Sideline Cheerleading is a discipline of cheer that involves athletes who cheer in support of youth/recreational sports, most often football. Sideline cheerleaders help lead cheers, chants, and create an energetic atmosphere during games and events.
Our Sideline Cheerleaders will cheer for our Mighty Mite or PeeWee Football Team depending on grade level. They may cheer for other teams in the absence of our competition cheerleaders.
Sideline Cheerleaders will have the opportunity to compete locally against other cheerleaders within the Southwest Midget Football League at our local competition which will be held Sunday November 3, 2024.
Competition
Our Competition Cheerleaders are first and foremost sideline cheerleaders who cheer for our football team.
They will compete locally against other cheerleaders within the Southwest Midget Football League at our local competition which will be held Sunday November 3, 2024.
In addition, the Oak Lawn Outlaws are a proud member of the Illinois Cheerleading Association (ICA).
ICA primarily exists to support its member agencies by promoting cheerleading through standardized rules and regulations. The ICA provides resources for its members to enhance the fundamentals of cheer and dance in a fun, safe and educational format.
ICA provides competitions attended by organization statewide, not just local. These competitions are roughly an hour or more away. The ICA has developed and promoted a State Championship that is held annually in the month of November. Not every team attends the State Championship. They must earn a bid. Bids to State can be achieved by one of two ways. If you score a first place against another team, a bid to State is awarded. If you have no direct competition (which is very rare), then your team would need to score a minimum total score to earn a bid.
Sideline Commitment
2 - 1 hour weekly practices
1 - weekend game every weekend during the season; either Saturday or Sunday
1 - local cheer competition
Sideline cheerleading offers a fantastic opportunity for individuals to experience the excitement and camaraderie of cheerleading without the extensive time and financial commitments associated with competition cheerleading.
Competition Commitment
3 - 2 hour weekly practices
1 - weekend game every weekend during the season; either Saturday or Sunday
1 - local cheer competition
3 - ICA competitions - Widgets ONLY
4 - ICA competitions - PeeWees, Lightweights and Varsity
Competition Cheerleaders should be dedicated to the competitive aspect of the sport. Competition seasons are more intense. Coaches work with the cheerleaders to bring out the best of their abilities to showcase. Practices are tough and fun, but very rewarding.
Oak Lawn Outlaws Cheerleading Attendance Policy
Oak Lawn Outlaws Cheerleading Fees - 2024
Oak Lawn Outlaws Cheer Uniform Swap
Do you have a cheer uniform or spirit wear your athlete has outgrown or won't use and you'd like to sell? If so, join our OLO Cheer Uniform Swap page on Facebook. This is for person to person purchase ONLY. The Oak Lawn Outlaws are NOT responsible or liable for personal transactions.
Cheerleading 2024
Cheerleading Season 2024
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