Purpose

The primary purpose of the University of South Florida Feature Twirlers is to provide support for the intercollegiate athletics and the University of South Florida. That support is directed into three major areas, as follows 1) to aim to provide quality entertainment to a wide variety of audiences while supporting our athletic teams with pride, perpetual spirit and integrity. 2) To consistently strive for the highest degree of performance while representing the University of South Florida with class, dignity and enthusiasm. 3) To serve as public relations ambassadors of intercollegiate athletics and the University of South Florida; to uphold, reflect and project the goals and ideas of the University; to appear at University activities, functions and programs to promote intercollegiate athletics, The Herd of Thunder and the University.

The Herd of Thunder Feature Twirlers must represent the University of South Florida and the Herd of Thunder Marching Band at ALL times in a positive manner. All Feature Twirlers are recognized as part of the university and are expected to exhibit good sportsmanship, as well as moral and ethical behavior –even when not serving in an official capacity

Responsibilities

• Attend ALL practice sessions, meetings and games and other activities as designated by the Band Director and Guard Director

• Understand that being in the Herd of Thunder Marching Band is a privilege and a major commitment through the entire Football and Basketball seasons.

• Understand that twirling is a major commitment of academic time, and cannot be placed secondary to any other non-academic activity. This includes sororities or fraternities.

• Feature Twirlers must refer all media representatives to the Director. If given the opportunity to speak by the Director, please remember that what you say in you official capacity as a Feature Twirler represents the ENTIRE Herd of Thunder and the University of South Florida.

• Attend summer pre camp and band camp. DO NOT ask if you can miss for any reason (job, teaching camps, family vacations, sorority/fraternity functions….)

• Monitor and take responsibility for comments and pictures on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or any other sponsored networking site. Remember, as a Feature Twirler you represent the University of South Florida and the Herd of Thunder at all times.

• As a University of South Florida student and Feature Twirler you are a representative of the University and its Athletic Bands. You are reminded that your social media accounts are monitored and should only reference the University its athletes/sports and this team in a positive manner. Additionally, do not speak poorly about another school or team via your social media sites. Always remember that people know who you are and what organization you represent. Always be conscious of your actions and your language.

Tryouts

• The audition process takes place in or around the month of May. The exact date

will be announced on the HOT Website.

• Auditions take place at the School of Music

• Auditions consist of one, two and three baton to a piece of music of your choice showing your range of ability. This routine should be around 2 minutes.

• The Herd of Thunder typically has 1 to 3 Feature Twirlers. Auditions are judged by a qualified panel that will make decisions based on the best interest of the organization.

• No position is guaranteed and each Feature Twirler must tryout again each year.

• All Feature Twirlers must be in good financial and academically status with the University.

• Results of the auditions will be announced via email.

• It will be the responsibility of the Feature Twirlers that are selected to register for the course through OASIS before the add/drop deadline. For more information on how to register please visit the HOT web page herdofthunder.usf.edu

Pre-Camp and Band Camp

• There is a 2-day camp before the official band camp that all Feature Twirlers

must attend unless told otherwise by the Guard Director.

• Stands routines, and pre show twirl routines will be taught during pre-camp.

• During band camp there are spirit days, it is strongly suggested that the Feature Twirlers participate in these days. This shows fellowship and unity with the band.

• If a Feature Twirler is a non-degree seeking student and is unable to make part of Band Camp due to classes this must be preapproved prior to camp by the Guard Director with a copy of your class schedule.

• A schedule of events will be posted in the HOT handbook prior to band camp, these events are mandatory.

Expectations

• A positive attitude is required at all time while being a University of South

Florida Feature Twirler. You are expected to give 100% at all practices, games, and appearances. You will be required to always show respect for players, coaches, and fans. A poor attitude or disrespect can be cause for dismissal as the Feature Twirler of the Herd of Thunder.

• Feature Twirlers will not consume alcoholic beverages and will not use any tobacco products while in uniform or any apparel that identifies you with the Herd of Thunder Program. Drug use is prohibited. Violators may be dismissed as a Feature Twirler, and/or reported to USF for additional consequences.

• No drinking or handling alcohol will be permitted in a University vehicle or vehicles rented by the University used by the Herd of Thunder. Alcoholic consumption is prohibited on the USF campus.

• No drinking before or during a game, sponsored event, party or at any practice. This includes sanctioned trip (hotel or lobby). Arriving intoxicated or physically impaired “hung over” for any event will result in immediate disciplinary action whether the event is on campus or off campus.

• In the sands the Feature Twirlers will stand and sit together as decided by the Director or Drum Majors. Snacking in the stands is allowed, but must be done discreetly.

• Feature Twirlers are expected to stay in the stands and cheer on the team, exception to this rule is to use restroom, illness, or to change for halftime.

• All members must be on their best behavior at the games, and enthusiasm is expected. Rudeness, profanity, and disorderly conduct will not be tolerated. Negatively engaging fans at any time, for any reason, is not allowed. The HOT Feature Twirlers have a well-deserved reputation as a first-class organization that has the very best students representing our great university.

Uniforms / Costumes

• Feature Twirlers are required to provide to their costumes. Vendors used in the past include:

o Show-off inc http://www.showoffinc.com/ o Kenerly Kreations inc http://www.kenerlykreationsinc.com/ o You may use your own seamstress but it MUST be approved

• All costume designs must be approved by the Guard Director

• All costumes MUST be Green, Gold, or White

• The costume that is to worn for the Breast Cancer Awareness game is a pink

halter top. This top will be worn for the road show and pregame. No other time will any color be worn other than the schools colors. Pink tape will be put on baton during this show also. Vendor for these tops are:

o Julianne Hehr Costumes 727 641-3416

• During the Spring Game and the Team Walk Feature Twirlers will wear the Under Armor Green Tank with Feature Twirler embroidered on front and name embroidered on back with black shorts and a black sports bra underneath. This is used ONLY for Football season.

• Black jazz pants and a crop top will be worn for the Homecoming parade.

• Each Feature Twirler is responsible for the pom’s that are assigned to her. Care must be taken to insure that they are turned in the same condition that they were issued.

• Costumes are never to be worn representing USF to events not approved by the Band Director or Guard Director in advanced.

• Stud earrings are only earrings that can be worn when twirling with the HOT band.

Fire Baton

• Each Feature Twirler must have a “Fire Box”. These can be purchased from

www.fultontrim.com or other sites on the web.

• Each Feature Twirler must own a plastic box containing the following items: o Paint can to hold Colman fuel o Rags o Aluminum foil o Fire blanket o Fire extinguisher

• THE LIGHTER IS NOT TO BE KEPT IN FIRE BOX….Lighter must be kept away from fuel

• Hair is to be worn in a bun when you are twirling fire

• It is strongly suggested that you don’t twirl fire baton at noon games.

USF Feature Twirler Checklist

Fire Baton • Rubbermaid Box Fire Extinguisher • Empty Paint Can with lid Paint Can Key • Fire Blanket Multiple lighters • Tin Foil Colman Camping Fuel • Old hand towels Grip Tape • Luggage roller Goof-off

Practice

• Batons Sweat Towels • Sun Screen Glasses • Headphones Sneakers • Cougars Fire Baton

Game Day

• Backpack Sweat Towels • Firm Grip Extra Bobby Pins • Hair Spray Makeup • Costume(s) Earrings • Hair Piece Hose • Batons Baton Tape • Rain Coat Food (ex: sugar booster) • Water Gatorade • Sun Glasses Warm up suit • Hot-Hands(winter) Gloves(winter) • Shoes Headphones • Camera Wet-naps • Poms Face Tattoos • Change of clothes Makeup remover

Basketball Season

The USF Feature Twirlers will follow all policies and procedures outlined in the Rumble Handbook. You must read this thoroughly and be familiar with all of the information it contains.

Coverage of Games • Generally the most senior Feature Twirler will be assigned to perform at Men’s

Basketball Games • The younger Featured Twirler(s) will be assigned to perform at Woman’s

Games • Game assignment is the Band Director’s prerogative. • All games must be covered, if a twirler is to miss an assigned game she must

notify the Director 8 hours in advance by email with the name of her sub. The only exception to this is an emergency situation or sudden illness. Any student who agrees to sub and does not show up will be assigned an unexcused absence.

• All twirlers must sign up for MUN1100.901 (Ref# 11191) for spring semester. Twirlers not registered in time will not be allowed to twirl for Pep Band.

Uniforms

• All uniforms must be green, gold or white and can be the same costumes that are used during football games. It is also acceptable to wear black pants with green, gold, or white tops.

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