After personal tragedy, woman fulfills dream of being Pats’ cheerleader

By Mike Chaiken
The Plainfield Observer
May 25, 2014

On the sidelines of the New England Patriots’ home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. this coming season, Bristol residents may see a familiar entertain the crowd. And her journey toward this accomplishment is an example of overcoming physical adversity. Karen Link, the former Miss Teen Bristol in 2007 (and then Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen 2007), is the one of the newest members of the Patriots’ cheerleaders.

“I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Not only do I get to do what I love each day but I get to do perform at Gillette stadium, in support of my favorite sports team, in front of 70,000 fans,” said Link via email. “Talk about the dream job.”

The gig also gives Link the opportunity to use one of her lifelong talents.

“I’ve been a dancer consistently since the age of 2 and dancing professionally post-college has always been a dream of mine,” said Link.

However, Link’s journey might have been unthinkable years ago after she broke her back in a car accident.

“(M)y senior year of high school… my world was turned upside down after being a passenger in a head-on collision. I broke my spine in the accident and immediately was rushed into a spinal-fusion surgery, which inserted rods and screws along my spine to hold the vertebras together,” said Link.

“The recovery process was a long one, I had to learn how to walk again and do things like climb stairs and sit down and stand up. I was devastated to hear that I would never be able to dance at the level I had before,” said Link. However, here Link is getting ready to dance up a storm for the Pats.

“I don’t take ‘no’ for an answer… and fought through the long rehab process to ease my way back into being active and eventually found my way back to the dance floor,” said Link. “Looking back at that unexpected obstacle in my life I realize how very blessed I am,” she said.

Link said joining the cheerleaders marks off an item on her bucket list.

“Being a member of the New England Patriots Cheerleading squad has been a dream of mine for a while now,” said Link, who graduated from Holy Cross High School. “I remember doing research on the team my sophomore year of college, five years ago, which is when I really started thinking about what I needed to work on to gain a position on this squad and if it would be feasible to be a member while I was in still in college.”

The 23-year-old Terryville native explained, “I decided to delay trying out until my senior year of college and made it through to finals, but unfortunately that’s where the dream stopped.”

“After I graduated from Endicott College,” said Link, “I moved to New York City for a job in fashion and beauty public relations.”But, Link said, “I simply couldn’t stay away from Boston though and decided to move back last year, with the goal of being a member of the Patriots cheerleaders on the forefront of my mind.” (She currently works in the corporate communications department at a speech recognition company, Nuance Communications, at its headquarters in Burlington, Mass., communicating with the press and analysts about Nuance’s technologies and innovations.)

“Since last June,” said Link, “I’ve been taking dance classes in Boston, working out and focusing on healthy eating in anticipation of tryouts which began with the workshop this past February.”

Link said she wanted to be part of the Pats’ organization and the cheer squad because “aside from being a Patriots fan from a young age, The Kraft Organization is truly world class and something that is an absolute honor to be a part of. They place a large emphasis on qualities like working hard, helping others, and respect.”

Additionally, Link explained, “Something that doesn’t get as much attention as it should is the amount of community service that members of The Kraft Organization (including the Patriots players and the cheerleaders) participate in, it is truly unparalleled.”

Asked to speak about the process of becoming a Pats’ cheerleader, Link said the process began in February with an optional workshop. “This gives cheerleader hopefuls the chance to understand what it takes to be on the team, both in terms of dance ability and what the schedule the job requires,” said Link. Then, the preliminary auditions were held in Gillette Stadium at the beginning of April. Link said this pulled in 200 potential candidates.

“The day began at 10 a.m. and ended around 6 p.m.,” said Link of the auditions. “We learned a variety of dance combinations and three rounds of cuts were made.”

Link then was selected as one of 40 new candidates who would advance to the April 19 finals.

“In between,” said Link, “we had a one-on-one interview with the coach, Tracy Sormanti, and we learned additional choreography to be performed at finals.”

“At finals,” said Link, “the 40 new girls auditioned alongside the returning veteran cheerleaders and at the end of the day just under 40 girls total moved on to boot camp.”

Link said, “Boot camp lasted two weeks and involved learning a number of dance routines, cheers, and sideline dances, while also participating in media training, running the stadium ramps and workouts with the official Patriots Cheerleading trainer (and inventor of the workout regimen called BMAX), Andy Berler. ”Sometimes the reality of auditions differs from expectations. But Link said she had a pretty good idea of what was coming, especially after the workshop in February. Between February and April, Link said, “The biggest areas I focused on for the audition process were improving my dancing, flexibility, and physical fitness through taking dance classes weekly and dedicating lots of time at the gym.”

With 200 women at the beginning of the auditions, Link said of the other competitors, “The ladies I met during the audition process all possess amazing qualities. The judges and coaches emphasized along the way that they look for candidates who are well-rounded and possess the values important to The Kraft Organization. This was so apparent in the women I met, not only were they trained dancers but they were smart, goal-oriented, motivated, and friendly. I met some really awesome ladies along the way and will stay in touch with many new friends.”

“The girls on the squad, both rookies and vets, are so extremely motivated,” said Link of her fellow teammates. “These girls are smart go-getters who each have hearts of gold. They form a sisterhood throughout the year and I can’t wait to get to know each of them better, both on and off the field.”

The selected cheerleaders were announced via the Pats’ website on May 3. But Link didn’t know right away she made the final cut.

“My mom actually called me with the news that the list had gone live; she said ‘I see a list, and you’re on it.’”

“Honestly,” said Link, “I’ve been on cloud 9 ever since and I don’t think I’ll come down anytime soon. It took a lot of work and dedication over the past couple of years but every ounce of it was worth it and I am so honored to have been chosen to be a member of The Kraft Organization and cheer for the Pats.”

And Link said she is fortunate to have the support of family and friends.

“I actually didn’t tell anyone I was trying out again with the exception of my immediate family and my roommates,” said Link. “I let the cat out of the bag to a few more folks after I made it past finals and was in boot camp and then made an announcement on Facebook after they announced the final team.”

“The outpouring of congratulations and support after the team was announced has been really heartwarming. I’m so happy to have made my family, friends, and community proud.”

Link’s day job has been in public relations. And she feels this will be an asset for the cheerleaders. “(It) has taught me how to communicate with people from all different walks of life. Just as I aim to represent my company in the best light each day, I’ll aim to represent The Kraft Organization to the best of my abilities as well. Working in public relations has reinforced that no matter if your meeting Patriots fans, volunteering for a charity, or cheering at a game, you can’t go wrong with having a smile on your face and being kind to each person you meet.”
As for what’s in store next for the Patriots’ newest cheerleader, Link said, “It’s been a whirlwind with practices and appearances having already started. We practice three times a week and have promotional appearances in between. Coming up fast is our calendar shoot in Cancun for a week in the beginning of June and we’ll be working hard in preparation for preseason which begins in August. I can’t wait to see what this year has in store.”

“Go Pats!”

2014-15 Nuggets Dancers Auditions Begin On Saturday, July 19!

Perform at Denver Nuggets home games in front of 19,000 fans per game.
Travel nationally and internationally for our annual calendar shoot, dance conventions, and NBA appearances.
Choreograph for the best dance team in the NBA.
Participate in community service projects.
Inspire young dancers through the DND Juniors program.
Perform at multiple events throughout the year.
Perform for national television audiences.
Receive benefits from multiple sponsors including hair styling, tanning, waxing services, gym and yoga memberships, and cosmetic dentistry.
Get paid for doing what you love while making lifelong friends!

Audition Requirements:

be at least 18 years of age or 17 years of age with a parent or guardian present to sign a waiver on the participant’s behalf
hold a high school diploma or equivalent education
wear a cropped top, fitted shorts or dance skirt, and shoes with non-marking soles
submit non-returnable 8” x 10” headshot
submit a dance resume including any previous dance teams, classes or workshops, current employment and training, educational background, and 3 professional references
complete and submit the 2014 DND Audition Registration Form and the 2014 Liability Waiver & Release.
live in the Denver area and have reliable transportation to and from all DND practices and at least 80% of the home games in the Denver Nuggets 2014-15 season (schedule TBD).

2014-15 Audition Details

Prep Class Information

Frequently Asked Questions

If you would like to receive email updates with the latest DND audition news, please email DND Manager Amy Jo Wagner at ajwagner@pepsicenter.com.

Ladies and gentleman, start your 500 Festival Parade…

The Colts Cheerleaders march near the front of Indy's 500 Festival Parade

..with a performance by the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders and an appearance by the Indiana Pacemates!

The Colts Cheerleaders were part of the parade’s opening number then marched at the front of Indiana’s largest parade. The ICC marched on a glorious Saturday afternoon through the streets of downtown Indianapolis.

And of course, the Pacers are right in the hunt in the NBA playoffs, so the parade fans cheered on Pacemates Desiree and Jessica as they rode along with that kooky Boomer. I am sure Desiree, a former Colts Cheerleader at the Super Bowl, would love to add NBA Finals to her list of experiences!

Pacemates Desiree and Jessica keep that rascal Boomer in line

More parade photos are at this link

Titans Cheerleaders Visit Fire Station

Firehouse heats up with visit by NFL cheerleaders
Trista Pruett
Daily News
May 22, 2014

OKALOOSA ISLAND – Four members of the Tennessee Titans cheerleaders visited the Okaloosa Island Fire District Thursday afternoon to take photos and help raise money for the Emerald Coast Professional Firefighters Council.

The cheerleaders took time out from shooting their 2014-15 calendar at The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach for the event.

Event coordinators said that Titans cheerleaders wanted to do a few community activities while shooting the calendar, like thanking the Fire Department for their service.

See more photos from the cheerleaders’ visit. >>

They posed for pictures, tried on fire gear and met community members.

The money raised went to support various charities, including burn victims.

The event raised a few hundred dollars for the ECPFC.

Titans representatives said the cheerleaders give back to the community whenever they can, especially during the off-season.

The firefighters and cheerleaders also posed for a few photos promoting #MoveOver, a movement encouraging motorists to move over for emergency vehicles on roadways.

Felions Pounce on Practice Time in South Surrey

Cheer team preps for CFL football season in weekly rehearsals at fitness club at Morgan Crossing

By Jacob Zinn
Surrey Now

What does it take to become a Felion? Just ask Alexandra Severyn, the cheer team’s dance co-ordinator for the last 10 years. A former Felion herself, she knows the B.C. Lions’ dancers needs more than flashy moves and bright smiles to excite a sold-out B.C. Place.

“You have to have some kind of enthusiasm that we see,” said Severyn during the team’s weekly rehearsal at the Steve Nash Sports Club in Morgan Crossing. “There are hundreds of girls who audition, and you need to separate yourself from the girl next to you.

“It’s kind of silly to say, but it is that sparkle.”

This year’s crop of 40 dancers was picked from more than 120 auditions in March. Most are new but some are repeats, like Madison Grist of Surrey, who’s on her second year with the orange-clad team.

“I wanted to continue my dance training once my degree was done,” said Grist, who was previously the president of the UBC Dance Team.

“I saw an outlet with the Felions and I’ve been here ever since.

“It’s been nice stepping into it with a little more confidence. We’re learning routines faster, getting them down stronger and quicker, and I think that will translate when you see the final product at the games.”

Of course, the routines are new to Nicole Fabbi, one of the fresh faces of the Felions. She assisted in running the auditions this year, then tried out and made the cut.

“It can be a little overwhelming – there’s a lot of choreography,” she said. “But it’s been a lot of fun so far.”

They’ve spent the last nine weeks honing their techniques in time for the Lions’ first pre-season game. The Felions pride themselves on their high-calibre dance abilities that set them apart from other cheer teams in the CFL.

“Some of the other cheer teams across Canada are just that, cheer teams,” said Severyn. “They do stunting, verbal cheers – we don’t do any of that. When someone goes to a Lions game and they watch our girls, they can tell that they’re technically trained.”

They perform four routines on the field at each game, plus 20 to 40 “adlibs” on the sidelines. Every week is a new routine in rehearsals and they only have a few hours to get it down before the next one.

“It’s a lot of pressure, but they know that coming into it,” said Severyn.

The Felions aren’t your stereotypical ditzy cheerleaders: Grist has an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology and studies endocrinology in a behavioural neuroscience lab while also working for Lululemon, and Fabbi graduated university, went through SFU’s Professional Development Program, and is now a school teacher by day and a dance teacher in the afternoons and on weekends.

“A lot of girls are university-educated or are in university or have career jobs – they’re doing this as an outlet to make new friends, to meet new people, to keep up their physical activity,” Severyn said.

“I think we all, generally, are either in school or working two or three jobs and doing Felions on top of it, and fitting in our dance training on the side,” added Grist.

And that hard work pays off when the Felions enter the stadium to the roar of the crowd, about to blow the retractable roof off the building.

“It’s impossible not to smile,” Grist said. “You step on the field and you can feel the energy from the fans.”

Even with the Grey Cup in Vancouver this year, Grist said she’s really looking forward to the Lions facing one particular team.

“I always look forward to the Roughriders game – the energy in the stadium at that game is so exciting,” she said.

“I’m just looking forward to the first game,” said Fabbi, “because I’m not quite sure what to expect.”

[BC FeLions]