Dolphins Cheerleaders Magazine Feature
Lifestyle Magazine Group
June 2011
Photo Gallery
The 2011-2012 football season will be the third year a Davie woman will be on the sidelines as a member of the Miami Dolphins Cheerleading Squad. Every time Andrea learns she has made the squad, she says the feeling is just as special as the first. “I am honored,” Andrea says. “I am still shocked to say this is going to be my third season for the Miami Dolphins!”
The 2011-2012 Miami Dolphin cheerleading squad was officially announced on May 7th. More than five hundred applicants tried out for the coveted roles, eighty made it to the final round, but only forty get to cheer on the field. In addition to Andrea, Brooke from Southwest Ranches will also be part of the cheerleading team. Andrea says it is something she has always known she has wanted to do. “I grew up watching the Dolphins, but I have also seen so many cheerleaders at different events and charity appearances, I fell in love right away. To cheer, dance and represent an organization you are so passionate about, it is definitely worth every second,” she said.
Just like the football players they cheer on, the squad is responsible for staying healthy, staying in shape and attending rehearsals. In addition to cheering, the woman are also asked to travel as representatives of the team, take part in photo shoots and mingle within the community. Andrea says it is a part of the job she loves. “We call them ‘opportunities’ rather than ‘responsibilities.’ I had the opportunity to host a 5k run/walk for the Women in Distress organization, shop with the kids during the holidays with Publix, perform at ESPN the same weekend, shoot for our annual calendar, visit our military troops in Honduras and Curacao, I even had the opportunity to sky dive with the Army’s Golden Knights. I would definitely call these opportunities of a lifetime and not responsibilities,” she said. But she admits there are challenges to being on the squad, chief among them; finding a job/career that understands her role as a Dolphin Cheerleader. “Nothing is easy, and if being a Miami Dolphins Cheerleader were easy, every girl would be doing this,” Andrea said.
The Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders have had a long and proud history, starting in 1966 which was the first year for the football team. Emily Newton, the Director of the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, says it takes someone special to be on the squad. “To be a Miami Dolphins Cheerleader, you must first have a love and passion for the team and sport, and be a beautiful physically fit and talented young woman who’s personality sparkles in front of an audience,” said Newton, who added that the judges look for sparkle in a new candidate, someone who stands out with her personality and exudes confidence. Newton is a former four year member of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.
These are qualities Brooke, from Southwest Ranches, possess in a big way. She is a two year veteran of the squad and is excited she will be back on the sidelines. “I am so happy and excited to be a part of the 2011-2012 squad. I am so thankful and blessed to be selected to enjoy another year representing the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders,” she said. Like Andrea, being a cheerleader is something she has always wanted to do because she loves to perform. “Being in front of a huge crowd with screaming fans is a great feeling,” she said.
Brooke said her biggest challenge is managing her time. As a full time student, she finds it challenging to maintain good grades, while also keeping up the responsibilities of a cheerleader. “Not only do we cheer at every home game, but we also do a lot of community work as well as many different appearances and traveling. From helping out in hospitals and schools, traveling to different military bases to support our troops, and practicing three nights a week, we maintain a very busy schedule with many responsibilities, but I would not trade them for anything in the world,” she said.
It is a feeling shared by many former Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, who were originally known as the Dolphin Dolls, when they first began in 1966. At that time, they consisted of one hundred and twenty five girls ranging in age from eight to eighteen. Of the one hundred and twenty five members, forty eight were chosen each week to perform on the sidelines while the remaining cheered from their seats in the end zone bleachers. In 1978, the cheerleaders became known as the Dolphin Starbrites, under the direction of Joe Robbie, the then owner of the Miami Dolphins. This group of thirty were chosen out of over three hundred women who auditioned for director June Taylor. The first Dolphin Starbrites wore one piece bathing suits and go-go boots and cheered on a stage in the east end zone of the Orange Bowl. Part of their act was putting on spectacular Broadway-style half-time shows to music played by a twenty two piece brass band.
In 1983, the Dolphins made an agreement with Burger King to hold a “Name the Cheerleaders” contest. At the end of the contest, the Dolfin Starbrites changed their name to the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders. Each year the cheerleaders’ uniforms varied from white to orange to aqua one piece swimsuits, sometimes with a vest or fringe skirt, but always keeping the white go-go boots. That didn’t change until 1990, when Kathy Morton Shashaty took over as director and choreographer, and the cheerleaders updated their uniforms and started wearing sneakers on the sidelines. Shashaty was a Dolphins Cheerleader from 1981 to 1985, and served as assistant choreographer for the squad four years prior to replacing June Taylor. In 1994, more changes came to the squad under then owner Wayne Huizenga, as a coed stunting and collegiate-style cheerleading squad was debuted at the first pre-season game.
After the year 2000, the cheerleaders glamorized their look with shiny white boots and Rhinestone uniforms. The squad has gone international as they have traveled and performed across the globe, shooting swimsuit calendars, performing on military tours and helping in local communities. They have also been voted the sexiest cheerleaders in the NFL.
Despite the challenges and responsibilities of the job, both Brooke and Andrea say they are anxious and ready to get the season underway.” I am most looking forward to meeting all of the new girls on the team. Our team is like a family and I am so excited to create new friendships and to see what is in store for our 2011-2012 squad,” said Brooke. “Being on the field with my teammates, dancing to our fight song, looking up into the stands and seeing nothing but aqua and orange!” said Andrea. For more on the squad, check out www.MiamiDolphinsCheerleaders.net.
