Youngest Colts Cheerleader Balances Work and Student Life
By Abby Breeden
The Exponent
Not many boyfriends have texted their friends to say, “Guess who’s dating a Colts Cheerleader?”
Last year, Kathleen C., a sophomore in the College of Liberal Arts, became the youngest woman on the Indianapolis Colts cheerleading squad and the girlfriend of a “very proud boyfriend.”
“It was my first year trying out,” she said. “I went in with no expectations; I just wanted something to keep me busy.”
Busy does not begin to describe the lifestyle overhaul accompanying the football season. Weekends are sacrificed for Sunday home games, Tuesdays and Thursdays are devoted to intense three-hour dance practices in Indianapolis and appearances and a healthy diet are a must.
However, Kathleen is returning this week for a second year of tryouts and intends to keep trying out until she tires of the Colts, which is unlikely anytime soon.
“My favorite part of the game is when the players run out on the field. In that moment I think, ‘I don’t know how anyone would quit wanting to do this.’”
While the whole meant-to-be mantra seems cheesy, Kathleen said “doing something she loves” for such a large organization is often surreal.
During moments like the Super Bowl, Kathleen said she has to take a step back and think about the magnitude of somehow going from college student to cheerleader, smiling for one of the most watched programs on television ever.
For the rookie, age did not prevent her from developing close friendships with women on the squad.
“I have no distinction of age. We just became friends with the same jobs, same stress and same excitement,” she said.
Theresa Pottratz, Colts cheerleading coach, said the fans love Kathleen’s young, girl-next-door look to go along with the Colt’s more conservative image in comparison to other NFL cheer squads. However, Pottratz couldn’t help but notice Kathleen’s edge as she develops further in her career.
“We always think of little Kathleen who is so innocent and young, and then I saw her swimsuit photos! There is one of her walking out the pool with the water dripping off her and you think, wow that’s our little Kathleen?” Pottratz said. “It’s like your best friend’s little sister suddenly grew up.”
