Cheerleading group is Pride of the Lions — sort of

Terry Foster
The Detroit News
9/16/2010
[Photos]

Royal Oak — The Lions have been in Detroit since 1934, and they’ve never had cheerleaders.  That’s all about to change.  Sort of.

The Detroit Pride will make its debut in and around Ford Field on Sunday for the Lions home opener against the Eagles.

They’re not recognized as the Lions official cheerleaders. In fact, team officials and the Pride had to agree on a few rules of etiquette before the group was allowed inside Ford Field.

• They are not allowed to perform organized cheers.

• They cannot obstruct the view of fans.

• They are not allowed to take group photos with fans. Only two girls may appear in photos, so they plan to walk through Ford Field in rows of two.

• They cannot wear Lions logos or team colors. Although there is blue in their uniforms, it will not be “Honolulu blue.”

The Pride will be like any of the other 60,000 fans, just differently.

“We are not going to do anything that would cause us to be asked to leave and we do not want them (the Lions) mad,” said Andrea Wiliamowski, director of operations for the Pride. “We want them to like us. We want to show the Ford organization and the Lions that this is something people want.

“We want to support the team because we believe they deserve it. We believe they are going to do well and we want to make them happy.”

But that time is not now.

“The Detroit Lions have no plan to bring on cheerleaders at this time,” said Bob Raymond, vice president of business operations for Ford Field.

The public gets its first glimpse of the Pride at the Eastern Market tailgate at 10:30 a.m. before they move to the Elwood Grill outside Ford Field around 11:30 a.m.

The team will move into Ford Field to watch the Lions game against the Eagles.

Dancing for pride

Stacey Latona looked like a proud mother as she leaned forward in a corner stool watching 12 women ages 18-34 twirl, dance and pop silver pom-poms to the beat of “We’re Not Gonna Take It.”

The back studio at Kor Fitness in Royal Oak vibrated to the beat as members of the Detroit Pride flew into the air, dropped in perfect sync and battled through a routine they’d learned just 24 hours earlier.

Latona is marketing director of the group, and she seemed to be dancing right along with her pride of women.

When the music stopped, she did her own cheer.

“That’s so awesome! Good job!” she cried.

Latona then leaned over and said in a low voice: “I feel like a mother who is about to see her kids go away from home. And we are going to make sure they don’t look bad. We just can’t let that happen.”

Looking for more

Wiliamowski is a longtime season-ticket holder who says she kept hearing fans say they wanted the Lions to have cheerleaders.

Her original goal was to make the Pride the Lions’ official cheer team. But now, the Pride is branching out and doing charity events and fundraisers. They also would like to be the official cheer team for the Tigers or Red Wings.

Wings and Tigers representatives said they have not been in contact with the group.

“I don’t know if that fits with our tradition and our brand,” said Steve Violetta, vice president of the Wings.

The Wings attempted to enhance their game experience by adding a hostess to interview fans and conduct games.

“It has always been a challenge for hockey because of the ice,” Violetta said. “Where can you put them?”

Ron Colangelo, vice president of marketing for the Tigers, said the Tigers have the “DTE Energy Squad” and are happy with the group.

“All individuals are welcome to compete in the tryouts for the DTE Energy Squad,” Colangelo said. “If any members of the Pride would like to try out, both male and female, they are welcome to.”

Working their passion

Shannon Brown leaves her Bay City home every day at 5:30 p.m. for the 90-minute drive to Royal Oak. She practices at night, gets home at around 12:30 and often has to be at work by 9.

“It’s worth it just to be here and dance with these girls,” said Brown, a former Saginaw Valley State dance team member who is a store manager in Saginaw. “It is what I really love, and to be supporting the Lions and all the fans who are there. I love it.”

Emily Salans of Ann Arbor earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry from USC. Now she’s teaching at Michigan and taking graduate classes (she’s due to finish in December).

Her days away from home often last 15 hours, and admits she “crashes” on the couch when she gets home.

“I have a passion for dancing and spreading not only the love of dance but the spirit to every one,” she said. “This is a great opportunity to not only explore my passion but to do it with an amazing group of women that we have here.”

The women said this passion is not about gaining fame. It is about supporting the community.

“I am doing this because it is something I love and believe in,” said Lillianna Gonzales of Troy, an assistant manager with a local paint company. “We love the Lions and we want to support the team and we want to bring energy and people to the games.”

Where to catch Pride

Meet the Detroit Pride cheerleaders Sunday:

• 10:30 a.m.: Eastern Market tailgate

• 11:30 a.m.: Elwood Grill, 300 Adams Ave.

• 1 p.m.: Inside Ford Field