When he was in sixth grade, freshman Chris Morales was inspired to become a cheerleader by the movie “Bring It On.” However, boys were not permitted on the squad of his private elementary school.

Though Morales was not pleased by this, he stuck it out until he reached Saint Anthony College Prep High School, where he was permitted to join the squad. By his senior year, Morales was attending Saint Paul Catholic High School and still cheering. Eventually he returned to the elementary school that would not let him cheer, only this time as a coach.

Now, Morales is bringing his spirit to Point Park University by helping to start a cheerleading squad of the school’s very own.

“Every school needs a cheer squad. Whether it’s to cheer for sports teams or to be ambassadors for the school, every school needs a cheer squad,” he said.

Morales began his quest to bring Point Park school spirit back in June when he approached director of Campus Life, Ashley Dalton, in hopes of forming a cheering club that will cheer at basketball games, halftime shows, pep rallies and eventually away games.

Dalton thought it was a good idea and helped Morales by approaching Dr. Catherine Cameron, a high school cheering coach and an adjunct professor at the school, to see if she would be interested in coaching. Cameron agreed and plans for a cheering club were underway.

The club hit a snag when USG voted to put the club on hold in September. Then, at the beginning of October, Dean of Students Sue Oatey helped to move the idea from being a club to actually being a recognized sport under the department of athletics.

“I have had nothing but cooperation. They are really working with us to get this team materialized,” Cameron said about the help from Oatey and the athletic department.

“I am pleased at the enthusiasm that exists among the university community to bring our cheerleading team to the next level, and we look forward to a successful season at Point Park University,” Cameron wrote in a handbook for those trying out.

Though the athletics budget has already been distributed for the year and the squad will not be eligible for funding until next September, Cameron plans on using this year to hold fundraisers. She also said that Oatey will be helping fund the squad until it is included in the budget next year.

Tryouts for the squad will be held tonight from 3 to 5 p.m. in 505 Lawrence Hall. Clinics for the tryout were on Monday and Tuesday. All students, resident and commuter, are welcome to try out.

“I want to unite both commuters and on-campus residents with camaraderie and unity to build lasting friendships,” Cameron, who is a former high school cheerleader, said.

Cameron also added that she expects between 20 and 25 people to tryout, although only 10 to 15 will be chosen. However, she also hopes to start a separate competitive squad in the future.

Morales also hopes for the program to eventually expand. He would like to see a great program here that would rival the one at the University of Kentucky within the next seven to eight years.

Something that both parties would like to see through the creation of this program is an increase in school spirit.

“One thing we’ve always been lacking is school spirit,” Cameron, who is also a Point Park alumna, said. “I want the squad to be a link to that spirit.”

As a former cheerleader himself, Morales realizes that some people may not be as excited for the squad as he is, but that same inspiration from his sixth-grade experience still holds strong.

“Don’t knock something if you’ve never tried it,” he said. “It’s just as difficult as any other sport. It takes lots of skill, practice and dedication.”