By Jay Betslill
DFW.com

Nobody knows the Dallas Mavericks Dancers better than Mallory Mills, who was a dancer for seven years and has been the group’s director for the past two. So we asked Mills to answer these burning questions.

Director Mallory Mills preps some of the Mavs Dancers before a performance.

1. What are the three most important qualities you look for in a Mavs dancer? How important are looks?

The three most important qualities I look for in a Dallas Mavericks Dancer is No. 1, of course, their dancing. No. 2 is how they carry themselves as young ladies, and No. 3 is how well they get along with the returning veterans and their fellow candidates.

Looks are important, but we are looking for all different types of girls to please the crowd. This is a professional dance team and at the end of the day we are looking for the best fit for our image, which does include appearance, dance and how they act. We are looking for the whole package.

2. How many times a week does the team practice and perform?

We practice Monday through Wednesday every week, depending on games. When the season starts, we can practice up to three times a week and possibly have three games that week. So our schedule is tough.

3. The routines are very rigorous. Do you have to deal with many injuries as the season wears on?

You know, we are all human, and there will be times that girls get sick, or twist something, but we have been very fortunate and have not had to deal with anything serious.

4. What compelled you to try out to be a Mavs dancers? And now, as the director, what do you think most of the women who try out are looking to gain from the experience?

What compelled me to try out for the Mavericks was the dancing part. I love to perform, and getting that opportunity almost every day was like a dream come true for me. You learn and grow a lot as the years go on. I think most of the girls trying out also have a passion for dance. They want to gain experience as a professional dancer, and once they make the team, they realize that it is a very vigorous schedule. But in the end, it is all worth it.

5. Do most of the dancers have other jobs?

The Dallas Mavericks Dancers are required to have other jobs or be enrolled in school.

6. After last year’s NBA title run, the Mavs Dancers have gained a high profile. Any friendly competition between the Mavs Dancers and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders?

No, we are two different organizations, and we are both run differently. We share a lot of the same girls as well, so it is very friendly between the two groups. We are here to represent the Dallas area the best that we can and support every team.

7. Do the dancers get to know the players much? Are they allowed to date players?

No, the dancers are not allowed to mingle with the players. We like to keep everything professional when it comes to the two groups. Of course, they say hi and will be on appearances together, but they are not allowed to date the players.

8. Much like being a professional athlete, there is only a limited amount of time someone can be a Mavs dancer. What are some of the professions former Mavs dancers have gone on to?

Lexy Hulme was on Glee and toured with the cast of Glee. She also danced in the film 500 Days of Summer. Lexy’s sister, Cerissa, is in real estate. Jennie Fan works for CBS radio in Dallas. Lindsay Shoulders is TCU’s pom director.

9. The dancers interact with the fans quite a bit, at the AAC and at public appearances. Certainly, most fans are adoring and respectful, but do you ever have to fend off marriage proposals and/or advances from delusional guys?

Not really. The fans are very respectful of the dancers and love to see them. I am sure we have had a few marriage proposals here and there from the guys, but it’s all fun and games. The girls love getting to interact with the fans any chance they get.

10. The Mavericks are fighting to make the playoffs this year, which must seem surreal after a championship season. Are most of the dancers hard-core basketball fans?

Yes, most of the girls are basketball fans. It’s important for them to follow the team and be updated about what’s going on throughout the league.

[Mavs Dancers]

A Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader models Satin Stitches' example of a flirty sailor costume

Unveiling 25 new styles for cheer/dance. Amazing. Having them modeled by Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Priceless!

At the recent NFL Cheerleader Director’s Convention at Cowboys Stadium, the fashion show included 25 new styles from Satin Stitches hitting the runway with the DCC as models. With no worries of labor strife hindering the next NFL season, 22 teams’ directors attended this convention, more than the past few years.

Deborah Nelson, Head Designer/President of Satin Stitches, reports that, “After a shortened season last year, when most cheer teams simply ‘made do’ with what they already had, with minimal, quick new orders, we are hopeful that most teams will have a budget for new uniforms this season.” As far as the latest trends in NFL cheerleading designs, Deborah reports, “Besides the ever popular low-rise shorts and skirts, the latest high-rise styling may start a resurgence, along with one-piece uniforms. Rhinestones remain a very important trim for most uniforms, and I expect even more to be used, this coming season. Retro looks could become more popular, as well as themed costumes for various team events. Branding will remain very important, with most every uniform piece displaying the team’s name or logo.”

This military inspired, custom team uniform design was popular with the NFL cheer directors

And the Satin Stitches designs that Deborah heard the most comments about included, “Our military two-piece received the most notice of all of our looks. Our attention to detail and use of Swarovski rhinestones was commented upon. We have just partnered with Swarovski Elements as a design company that showcases their brand of ‘glitz.’ We were able to give out a gift from Swarovski, in addition to our gift of a custom-designed make-up bag to each director.”

Melissa visits the DCC locker room

In addition, Deborah and her customer service representative Melissa, a former Vikings Cheerleader, had the opportunity to see the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ locker room, with a locker that featured the iconic DCC uniform. As a designer, what does Deborah think had made that DCC uniform “iconic” for 40 years? “The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders have been very smart in keeping their ‘iconic’ look, with only slight updates from year to year, to keep it ‘current’ and ‘fresh,’” Deborah says. “Someone did a marvelous job with the original design, and insisting that it remain ‘the look’ for the cheer team, every year! It is their ‘brand,’ and branding is so important. It has become a classic!”

Deborah with the DCC uniform in their locker room

Here are some more photos of style show and the DCC wearing brand-new Satin Stitches designs:

Continue reading Project DCC: Cowboys Cheerleaders Model Satin Stitches Styles at the NFL Directors Convention

Theresa (second from right) along with (from left) her son Christopher Pottratz, intern Alicia Schwartzentruber, and intern Heather Hudson at Indy's Monument Circle, celebrating the fact that they had survived Super Bowl XLVI (click to enlarge)

For all the talk of whether or not there would be cheerleaders at the recent Super Bowl in Indianapolis, for anyone who visited the city’s Super Bowl Village or watched “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” there was no doubt. No matter which teams had made the final two, there were definitely cheerleaders playing a big role in the Super Bowl festivities. Between extended autograph sessions at the convention center’s NFL Experience, singing and dancing at the three stages within Super Bowl Village, appearing on two of Jimmy Fallon’s shows at Indy’s Hilbert Circle Theatre, or countless other appearances, such as dancing in the sand at the Celebrity Beach Bowl football game, the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders made sure that there was no question that pro cheerleaders are an essential part of NFL entertainment.

Colts Cheerleaders Coordinator Theresa Pottratz and her talented squad worked tirelessly prior to and during Super Bowl week to entertain the million plus visitors who enjoyed Super Bowl Village and the myriad of nearby events. A couple days after the Super Bowl, Theresa took a way beyond-well deserved vacation to Costa Rica, and upon her return to Indy, graciously answered our questions about a memorable week for her, the Colts Cheerleaders, and all of Indianapolis.

UC.com – Theresa, did you get advice from other cheer squad directors regarding what Super Bowl week is like for the host city cheerleaders? Do you think the Colts Cheerleaders were more visible and in demand than usual because of the unique nature of downtown Indy’s popular Super Bowl Village?

Theresa – I did actually talk to other cheer directors about the Super Bowl in their cities and so I had a little bit of an idea of what to expect, but what made our city so unique was the Super Bowl Village. We performed multiple times every day for ten days in the Super Bowl Village, which required a lot of rehearsal time before hand. I don’t believe all the other cities had anything quite like our fabulous Super Bowl Village.

The Colts Cheerleaders perform in Super Bowl Village

UC.com – Compare and contrast, running a cheer squad that is on the sidelines for the Super Bowl, versus being host city’s cheerleaders? Is one more or less crazy?

Theresa – I would say being the host city is a lot crazier! When we were in the Super Bowl, I had to worry about certain things like transportation and per diems for food, but most things were taken care of. Most of the appearances are on the Friday and Saturday before the game. Being the host city, I worked 127 hours in ten days. All 41 of my girls were booked most days from January 27th through February 5th, and because we had so many different performances with a variety of routines, we had a lot of practicing to do. We don’t just do normal sideline routines. We had a wide variety of dance numbers including lyrical and tap and five fabulous singers! We like to be a little different! I don’t know how we would have made it if we had been both the host team and in the Super Bowl, but I would have liked to try!

UC.com – When did Jimmy Fallon’s show contact you, and what are some fun memories?

Theresa – I think the first contact was in December because they originally wanted to tape a segment on January 8th, but that fell through. Then on January 19th, I received another phone call saying they wanted girls for two different shows. I had to do some rearranging of the schedule to get all the girls they wanted, but we made it work. The staff and crew of the Jimmy Fallon show are wonderful. We had so much fun working with them. The girls even rhinestoned a pair of underpants for Captain Underpants, aka Seth Herzog, and Jimmy had to apologize to me for accidentally hitting one of my cheerleaders!

Theresa backstage at "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" with prodution associate Brandon Dubeansky and Seth Herzog, pre-show warm up comic and "Captain Underpants"

UC.com – For the Jimmy Fallon show, was it difficult to select which Cheerleaders would be part of it (see clips here)? Also, was the choreography during the final show provided by squad or the show?

Theresa – Since we didn’t get the call until a week before our Super Bowl events started, it wasn’t that hard, because it was more of who was available at the times they needed us to be there. I did try to spread out what I called the “premier” events so that as many girls as possible got to be involved with those extra special appearances. The choreography was provided by their wonderful choreographer Danielle Flora.

Performing in Late Night's Super Bowl edition of "Models and Buckets"

UC.com – What were some of the logistical challenges during Super Bowl week, dealing with traffic, having uniforms ready every day, et cetera?

Theresa – The logistics were a nightmare! My interns and I spent hours and hours trying to make sure everyone was where they were supposed to be with the right uniform and the proper credentials. Because our normal transportation company was charging so much during Super Bowl week, we decided to use Colts vehicles with interns chauffeuring. We were fortunate to have some parking spaces available through the NFL and the Super Bowl committee, so it worked fairly well. Our biggest issue on game day was that our security company did not get properly credentialed to be in the perimeter, so we were a little short handed that day.

UC.com – What are your feelings about how Indianapolis served as Super Bowl hosts?

Theresa – I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of Indianapolis and the Super Bowl Committee. I think they did an amazing job. Everyone was so easy to work with it. I talked to so many people from the NFL and the media who kept telling me this was the best Super Bowl they have ever been to. I was really impressed with the Village and how many people were always there.

UC.com – What were some of the comments that you heard from the Cheerleaders about their experiences? It was a mild weather week, but for a squad that performs under a roof a lot of the time, how was performing in a variety of weather conditions, performing on sand at Victory Field’s Beach Bowl, and singing in front of throngs on Georgia Street?

Theresa – The words I kept hearing from the girls were, “This is the most amazing experience of my life.” The weather was a little bad the first weekend because the wind was so strong and it was hard to do some of the dance moves, but not only did the Colts Cheerleaders do a great job but our Junior Cheerleaders were out there as well. The sand for the Beach Bowl was a little rough but they made it through. It really helped to have girls who have traveled with tour shows before, because they are used to being flexible because you never know what conditions you might be performing in. I was very proud of how my girls handled themselves.

The Colts Cheerleaders perform on the sand during the Celebrity Beach Bowl

UC.com – This year’s squad had to endure an unusual, for the Colts lately, 2-14 season. How did you feel about this particular squad being able to be part of the excitement Super Bowl week?

Theresa – It really was a different season for us so it was nice to have the Super Bowl here, but even without that, we had a great year. We are very blessed to have a lot of unique opportunities for the girls to participate in.

UC.com – During the seasons when the Colts made the Super Bowl, what is it like to be on the field for a Super Bowl? Where were you during this past Super Bowl?

Theresa – There is nothing like being on the field during the opening moments of the Super Bowl. Everyone in the entire stadium is so excited! Once the game gets going though, it’s not that much different than a regular game, until the end of course. For Super Bowl XLVI, we were in the stadium for “NFL on Location” in the Exhibit Halls all afternoon, but we had to leave shortly after kick-off to get to our next appearance. It was a little sad when we had to leave the stadium after the game started though. We wanted to be on the sidelines. Fortunately, my next appearance was going to the Hilbert Theater to watch the game with some of the Jimmy Fallon staff!

UC.com – Was part of your responsibilities to serve as “host” to the Patriots squad during their time in Indy or to the Saintsations during their NFL Experience appearance?

Theresa – As soon as I heard the Patriots were coming, I sent an email to their director, Tracy Sormanti. She’s a great lady and I would have loved to spend some time with her and her girls. We tried to arrange for the girls to get together but unfortunately, our schedules just didn’t work out. They came to town on Thursday that week and our schedules were completely booked from that point on.

We did get together with the Saintsations though. Lesslee Fitzmorris and I had gotten the girls together back when we were both in Miami for Super Bowl XLIV. The girls had a great time. This year some of the girls went out together on Friday, January 27th, and then we worked together for the cheer clinic on January 29th. Of course Lesslee and I were able to squeeze in a lunch and a breakfast during those few days she was here.

UC.com – What advice would you give a cheer director of an NFL squad that hosts a Super Bowl? Who do you want to give a shout out to anyone who made things run smoothly during the week?

Theresa – My advice would be to go with the flow! No matter how carefully you plan, something will change last minute. The other thing that I would recommend is to have a large squad. We went from 32 girls to 42 girls for the 2011 squad because of Super Bowl. I would never have been able to fill all our appearances if I didn’t have extra girls. I would love for us to host the Super Bowl again. I feel like I would know what to expect and could plan accordingly, but overall, I was happy with the way everything went.

I want to give a shout out to my interns, Alicia and Heather, for all their hard work, to marketing interns Kelsey and Ashley for helping with the driving, to my son Christopher who worked with us the whole week, and a special shout out to my Junior Cheer helpers, because without them, the Junior Cheerleaders would not have had the opportunity to perform three different times.

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For those spending time in Indy’s Super Bowl Village, visitors saw a glimpse of the totality of the Colts Cheerleaders’ Herculean efforts and their ability to be present whenever and wherever needed, just like real-life super heroes, during Super Bowl week. We thank Theresa for her indefatigable efforts during Super Bowl week and for taking time out to participate in this interview. In the days after the Super Bowl, the skies darkened, cold winds visited, and the downtown’s Super Bowl ornamentation removed, but the city retains wonderful memories of a special week, during which Theresa and the Colts Cheerleaders rocked, and did the city and pro cheerleading proud.

Cynthia Trinidad, former NFL Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader (1989), former NBA San Antonio Spurs dancer, director of the San Antonio Roses Independent pro-cheerleaders for the past thirteen years and the MPFL San Antonio Warrior Cheerleaders since 2007, was crowned Mrs. Petite United America 2011 at the Wyndham Garden hotel in Austin on Sunday, October 23, 2011.

Cynthia also won talent performing a jazz dance routine to the song “Black and Gold “ from the 2009 “Fame” movie.

Cynthia represented the state of Texas at the pageant as the current Mrs. Petite Texas United America and only stands a mere 5’-0” tall. She is proud to represent all the petite married ladies of this great nation.

She's a 5th dan Tae Kwon Do Black Belt instructor

Her platform is “Sanding up against Bullying” and she’s passionate about this worthy cause, and will be making appearances and speaking engagements throughout her reign to promote this cause.

[Mrs Petite United States]

[San Antonio Roses]