Ringing in the New Year with the Washington Wizard Girls
Wizard Girls on the court
Back on New Year’s Day (it seems so long ago) at the invitation of Wizard Girls Director Jessica Pikulski I got the chance to shadow the Wizard Girls around the Verizon Center before and during the New Orleans-Washington game.
Caitlin
At 5:30 (for a 7:00 tipoff) the Wizard Girls are in the their practice uniforms and rehearsing in the “Dust Bowl”, an area just off one of the tunnels leading to the court.
Waiting for the elevator
It’s 6:00, after rehearsal, a quick uniform change and the it was up to the main concourse.
Upstairs on the concourse
The biggest crowds and the longest lines were for Wizard Girl photographs and autographs.
On the practice court
It’s about 6:40 and more rehearsing, this time on the practice court.
Circled-up in the locker room
6:50 or so and in the locker room. The dancers make final touches to their make-up and say a prayer. Then it’s a mad dash for the court.
Suzanne in the stands
Washington tradition dictates that all the fans stand until the Wizards score their first points. The Wizards Girls are in the stands at the start and they won’t come down until the Wizards score, as well.
Javai
After the 1st quarter break the Wizard Girls execute their first uniform change of the game.
Holly
At half-time I hustle back-up to the concourse.
- Back upstairs to the concourse at half-time for another Wizard Girl photo-op (and uniform change).
As I am walking along, I hear someone call out my name:
- Captain Erica on her night off.
- Michelle
- Third quarter performance
The Wizards girls perform on the court during the second time-out of the third quarter.
- Fourth quarter and one last uniform change.
- T-shirt toss
- Sami
Big thanks to the Wizards organization, Director Jessica Pikulski and of course the Wizard Girls, for allowing me such extraordinary access.
where can i get more pics of Sami? i love her, she is so sexy, def the hottest wizards girl! wish i could meet her