Pair of Dance Dawgs Goes Pro

by Nathan Sorensen
The Red & Black

Two of the Dance Dawgs will not be dancing for the University basketball games next semester.

Reneau Kadis and Bristen Mann became the two newest members of the Atlanta Falcons cheerleading squad after auditioning for four days in Atlanta.

Bristen Mann and Reneau Kadis, two University Dance Dawgs, have been selected to serve as new Atlanta Falcons football cheerleaders.

Both dancers said the try-outs were a rigorous experience.

“It was definitely nerve-racking, but exciting at the same time,” Mann said.

Kadis, a senior and captain of the Dance Dawgs, said her four years on the squad helped her with the move to the Falcons.

“It’s definitely prepared me for the next level,” she said. “I have seen so much progress in the four years I’ve been in the spirit program.”

The Atlanta Falcons’ five-day audition hosted more than 250 girls who performed in front of 15 judges, said Ashley Clark, dance coordinator for the Dance Dawgs.

“That week is really kind of hectic for anybody,” said Clark of the audition week. “You know you can dance and you know you have a good body, but you never know what the judges are looking for.”

With eight out of the 32 total cheerleaders on the Falcons squad coming from the University, the Dance Dawgs have a “rich tradition” of sending members to the Atlanta Falcons, Clark said.

“We’ve had at least 10 to 15 Dance Dawgs make the Atlanta Falcons,” she said.

Kadis, who has danced and cheered since an early age, said she was more.than nervous to move onto the Falcons.

“It’s kind of scaring me to go to the next level,” she said, “but it’s a really exciting opportunity.”

Mann said she agreed making the Atlanta Falcons was a thrill.

“I’m finally going to get paid to do what I love,” she said.

Bristen Mann and Reneau Kadis, two University Dance Dawgs, have been selected to serve as new Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders.