The William Mackie Collection - University of Texas Cheerleader Tryouts (1971)

This short documentary follows the University of Texas at Austin varsity cheerleader squad as they hold tryouts for new members. Filmed by University of Texas graduate student Wayne Ewing in 1971, the film includes footage of a Longhorn football game, cheerleading practice on the field, and tryouts in the Gregory Gym. The filmmaker also interviews several freshmen about their desires to join the squad. After graduating from the University of Texas in 1971, Ewing began a career as a filmmaker, producing and directing over 30 documentaries for television and eight feature documentaries, including Breakfast with Hunter (2003) and The Last Campaign (2005). Bill Mackie was a professor in the Radio-Television-Film Department at the University of Texas.