Bios and profiles are now online. Go here to read up on the ladies.

The Boston Blazers are a relatively new team in the National Lacrosse League, starting play in the 2009 season. The Blazers Dance Team, The Sparks, are under the direction and choreographed by Jennifer. Jennifer graduated from Franklin & Marshall College with a degree in Psychology and a Dance Minor, before going on to earn her Masters from the Harvard School of Public Health.

As the Sparks second season approaches (tryouts were this past weekend), Jennifer took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few of our questions.

Q: What was it like building the Sparks Dance Team from the ground up?

A: It truly was an amazing once in a lifetime experience. It’s really exciting to create a vision and see it come to reality in a way that is much better than I could have imagined. The Blazers management has played a key role in our early success through their support and recognition of the dance team’s efforts. I cannot say enough about the talent and dedication of our Sparks dancers, it’s really an honor to be directing them and the friendships we have made and times we have shared through this experience are invaluable to me. It all culminates when we actually get to show off our hard work and get in front of the Boston Blazers fans, they are the best fans in the NLL (National Lacrosse League) and we want to make them proud!

Q: You’re a Senior Financial Analyst with a Masters from the Harvard School of Public Health. What’s the reaction from people when they learn you Direct and Choreograph a Pro Sports Dance Team?

A: I think the reaction is primarily surprise because they may have a stereotypical image in their head about cheerleaders/dancers and then curiosity about the Blazers and indoor lacrosse along with how I have the time to do it outside of work. I am now a finance manager so people tend to see me in a certain context at work which may be very different from my role as a dance team director/choreographer. The reality is that most dancers and dance team directors may need to have full time jobs outside of dance but we dance because we love it and love to perform. I’m happy to do anything I can to help reshape the stereotype and represent today’s dancers and cheerleaders in a new light as both talented and intelligent individuals so thanks to Ultimate Cheerleader for the opportunity to do that!

Q: What does your day job entail?

My typical day at work involves negotiating financial deals with companies who want to do research at our hospitals and making sure my team is running smoothly to provide our core services. As a manger, my role is not unlike my role as the Sparks director/choreographer. While they are totally different content, the roles have similarities in managing your team to provide the best end product for your customers. As you can imagine, it can be pretty intense working in finance at this time but that’s all the more reason I look forward to our Sparks practices and games!

Q: What’s one thing potential members of the Sparks Dance Team should avoid at auditions?

A: Hmm, that’s a tough one and I might turn the question around a little bit to what I would advise for girls to do at auditions, which would be bringing their “A” game and showing us their individual personalities through dance and what they can bring to the table. Show us your “SPARK!”

Q: Anything special you’ve got planned for the fans this season?

A: The Sparks want to build on our success from our first season and keep working hard to provide both new and existing fans with top quality entertainment and raise the bar for the in-game experience. We have a couple surprises in the works that I can’t reveal at this time but I promise we’ll be hard at work all pre-season and hopefully we will see you at the games!

[Boston Blazers Sparks Dance Team]

From FOX2NOW.com

Five St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders have returned from a goodwill trip to Afghanistan. It was the group’s second overseas trip in six months. They visited troops in Iraq and Kuwait last February.

Kate, one of the cheerleaders who made the trip, appeared on FOX 2 News in the Morning where she talked about the trip, what the women did, and just how safe they felt in a war zone.

The tour lasted eight days. The cheerleaders signed autographs, posed for pictures and performed for soldiers at their various stops.

[St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders]

Lots of new stuff has been posted from the last two weekends. The collections feature dance teams from just about every team in the league. Click here for week 2, and here for week 3.

It was another hot, hot Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium.  Fortunately, the temperatures on the field only reached the low 90’s, but for the Miami Dolphins it must have seemed like they were in hot water when the Chargers launched an aerial attack in the third quarter to take control of the game.  Eric Weddle’s interception return for a touchdown sealed the victory for the Chargers, who went on to prevail 23-13.  With the loss, the Dolphins start the season with a 0-3 record and I don’t have to tell you how many teams that started the season with three losses and made the Super Bowl.

This Sunday, I headed down to the Bud Light Power Party to pass out some photos to the Charger Girls and to get a calendar signed for our fearless publisher, James.  While there I met up with an acquaintance and fan of the blog, Jeff, who gave me a copy of Raiderettes: Forty Years of Pride, Poise and Personality, a slick book documenting the history of the Raiderettes.  Apparently, these books were given out at a Raiderette reunion many years ago.  Jeff and I both attended Raiders games in Los Angeles, before becoming Charger converts when the Silver and Black skipped town.  Thanks, Jeff.

The Bud Light Power Party is where the Charger Girls sign autographs and pose for photos with fans of both teams.  For those who have never been to a Charger game, it’s a great opportunity for fans to meet the Charger Girls and soak up the NFL experience.

But enough of this small talk; let’s get on with this week’s coverage of The Hottest Dance Team in the NFL, your Charger Girls.

As is custom, let’s start this week’s coverage by introducing the Line Captains: Ashlie, Marlina, Marisa and Tonya.

This week’s Charger Girl of the Day is truly an international beauty, Giselle.

Last week, we did not get a chance to properly introduce Tonya’s line.  Let us rectify that by getting to know her line in more detail.  Brittany R. was born and raised in California.  She was a member of Orange Coast College’s nationally acclaimed dance team and aspires one day to become a doctor.

Vanesa, a second year Charger Girl, was born and raised in San Diego, California.  She was a four year member of SDSU’s cheer team and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction for Elementary School Teachers.

Andrea is originally from San Antonio, Texas and graduated from SDSU with a degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Fitness, Nutrition and Health.  She tells me that the most rewarding aspect of being a Charger Girl was being able to honor our military by performing at MCAS Miramar for Military Appreciation Day.

Kimberly, an aspiring writer, is currently taking dance classes and studying Literary Journalism at UC Irvine.  Her parents are from Southern Louisiana and her southern heritage has influenced Kimberly’s love for art, music and spicy food.

As I mentioned last week, Emily was raised in South Pasadena and attended San Diego State University.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Art with an emphasis in Interior Design and was a member of the SDSU Cheer Team.

Ashley is a 6th year veteran Charger Girl who was born and raised in San Diego, California.  I chatted with her two weeks ago at the Power Party and she tells me that she’s only three years shy of the record for most years as a Charger Girl (which is held by Kathy Perez at nine years, so I am told).  Personally, I’d love for her to break the record…then again, I like seeing Ashley on the sidelines on Sundays.

Now that introductions are complete, let us turn our attention to some of the more memorable images of the week.  Let’s just call this next section, Katie’s section as I have several notable photos of the peppy Charger Girl.

Heather, Casie, and Nicole L. are three Charger Girls that always make for a beautiful and interesting photograph.

Four rookies that always leave a positive impression are Lauren, Belinda, Melanie and Natalie.

And let’s end this week’s coverage with a few photos of Brittany W., Giselle, Jacquelyn and Carly N.

Well, that’s all for this week.  Next week, I’ll be up in the Bay Area to visit my nephew and take in a 49ers game, where I hope to get some photos of the 49ers Gold Rush.  And what’s coming up in the next few months?  Marisa tells me that the Charger Girls have special throw back uniforms for the 50th Anniversary AFL game, Halloween costumes for…Halloween and the venerable blue velvet uniforms for Christmas.  Can’t wait!

For more Charger Girl articles and photos, please visit my blog: TheHottestDanceTeam.wordpress.com

Saturday night on The Moshulu at the Penn’s Landing, five decades of Eagles Cheerleaders reunited to celebrate the past and to kickoff the start of the NFL Alumni Philadelphia Cheerleaders organization.

Alumni Media Relations Director Monica Devlin (left) with former teammate Allison. Monica promised me I’d see a lot of familiar faces and she wasn’t wrong.

Kate Osman (left) and Theresa Vitelli. Theresa was the cover girl for the 2004 Eagles Cheerleaders Swimsuit Calendar. You may remember Kate as the right fielder for the LaSalle University Softball Team. The very charming Kate is now a travel agent and part-time model.

Erin Stetser Goga was from the next town over from where I grew up, and it was quite a thrill to meet her. Here she holds up her calendar photo. (I had that calendar once)

Another alum I was thrilled to meet: Nicole Garis McCarthy. Nicole was featured prominently in the Eagles Cheerleaders segment in the 1992 Polygram Video Pro Football’s Hottest Cheerleaders. She was also Miss Delaware USA in 1995.

But there was more to the night than seeing old friends and making new ones. There was a silent auction held with the goal of raising $10,000 for youth charities.

Sharon Sweeney (left) and Marylou Tammaro received Achievement Awards. Sharon was the last coach of the Eaglettes in 1977 and the first director of the Liberty Belles in 1978. Marylou was a Cheerleader, Choreographer and Director in a career that spanned more than 20 years.

Quarterback Joe Pisarcik, was with the Eagles the year they went to Super Bowl XV. He’s now President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the NFL Players Alumni, and he spoke to the audience to about the important work that the Players and Cheerleaders Alumni organizations do.

Plus, over forty years worth of memorabilia, from uniforms to old news stories were on display.

[Eagles Cheerleaders Alumni Photos]

Back at the end of August the Washington Wizard Girls jetted down to the Caribbean to shoot their 2009-10 Swimsuit Calendar. Their destination was the Nail Bay Resort on the island of  Virgin Gorda. In addition to shooting on Virgin Gorda, the dancers also visited the islands of Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, Peter and Anegada. Not 100% sure, but I think this is the first time an NBA Dance Team has gone outside the country to shoot their calendar.

Assistant Director Brianne Ritzert sent us a few photos from the trip. Most of the shots are just fun and action shots from their adventures around the islands, but there are a few sneak peaks of the girls being prepped during their actual calendar shoots.

Fans can get their first look at the new calendar on November 6th when the Wizard Dancers hold their calendar release party.

Showing off the new 2009-2010 uniform at “The Baths” of Virgin Gorda

Alexandria

Clowning around

Marina

[Wizards Girls in the BVI]

[Washington Wizards Girls]

Many dance teams in the NBA and NFL perform in holiday-themed costumes for Halloween and Christmas “the winter holidays.” Some teams put everyone in the same costume. Some pick a theme i.e. witches or fairies and each dancer picks a costume that’s a variation on that theme.

Other teams arrange it so everyone wears something different.

In any case, every year, after the holidays, I receive a few emails asking where Team X or Team Y got their holiday outfits, so I thought I’d be proactive and post the info ahead of time.

Santa-themed outfits are everywhere. It won’t take much looking to find something you’ll like.

When it comes to Halloween, the options are countless. There is an incredible variety of costumes out there, from witches and pirates, to superheroes and fairytale characters. Some are cute and funny and flirty, and some cross the line from costume to lingerie. (Duh – obviously the scandalous stuff is more appropriate in your own home than at the game.) You can dial the sexy up or down however you want.

In terms of cost, I’ve seen costumes start at around $25 and go up from there. Here are a few places to get started:

Amazon.com’s Halloween Store
3 Wishes
Yandy
My Diva’s Closet
Flirt Catalog
Spook Shop
Leg Avenue

I’ve also discovered an unexpected array of footwear to go with just about any costume you could imagine. Who knew you could do so much with a pair of go-go boots?

Most of the outfits I’ve seen on the court and on the field can be found on these sites. I’m not endorsing these vendors – having never purchased anything from them – but they’ve all got cute stuff. They’ve got just about every holiday covered, including Christmas, of course, but also Independence Day, Valentine’s Day, Saint Patty’s, and even Thanksgiving, so if you have a theme-based performance coming up for any of these holidays, you might want to take a look at those costumes too.

Hope this helps. Let me know what you come up with!