Bunnell grad makes Patriots cheerleading squad

The Stratford Star
4/15/2012

Among the 328 women who tried out for the New England Patriots cheerleading team, Stratford’s own Caitlin Muldowney stood out in a big way.

Muldowney, 27, was one of 24 women chosen recently to be on the NFL cheerleading team.

The tryout process started March 3, when the more than 300 candidates were whittled down to 65. Then after a final round, 45 were sent to boot camp and 24 were chosen for the final team.

“It was a little stressful, but it was something that didn’t even phase me because I wanted it so badly,” Muldowney said.

Muldowney, a 2003 graduate of Bunnell High School, has been dancing for most of her life, including as a member of the Bunnell Highstepping team.

“I started dancing when I was 3 years old — it’s always been a part of my life,” she said.

Actually making it through tryouts and being named an official NFL cheerleader was a dream come true, she said.

“It was the coolest thing I have ever experienced,” Muldowney said. “I’ve wanted to do this since I was 13 years old.”

She was a member of a college dance team for four years. After college she became a cheerleader for the United Football League’s Hartford Colonials.

Since she will be cheering on New England’s professional football team, it helps that she’s a fan of the game.

“Football has always been my sport of choice,” she said.

Muldowney has a full-time job with New Haven Health System, so she will be balancing normal, daily life with practices two to three times a week in Foxborough, Mass., appearances, games, and traveling with her new team.

Not only will her fellow Stratford residents have a chance to spot her on Sunday night television, but she will also be in a New England Patriots cheerleader calendar.

“At the end of May all 24 women on the team will be traveling to Jamaica for a calendar shoot,” Muldowney said.

The trip is sponsored in part by Jet Blue and Sandals resorts.

She described it as a bit of a surreal opportunity but one she thinks will help her bond with the new team.

“I think it will be a nice way to get to know the ladies on my team,” she said.

She is also looking forward to the Junior Cheerleader Program in May. The Patriots cheerleaders are hosting a two-week clinic for almost 200 youth cheerleaders, ages 7 to 17. The young cheerleaders will have a chance to perform with the Patriots cheerleaders at a preseason game in August.

With the photo shoots, performances and more, staying in shape can be hard work, but Muldowney said that since she studied exercise physiology in college she knows the right way to keep herself healthy and strong.

Practices started the beginning of this month and will continue until the end of football season. Muldowney is looking forward to enjoying every moment.

“I would like to do this as long as I can,” she said.

To learn more about the Patriots cheerleaders visit, Patriots.com.