From Oprah to Mr. Belding to Purdue Pete; Georgia Force Cheerleader Kiley Continues Her Star-Studded Journey with the Dream Team

Kiley of the Georgia Force Cheerleaders (GFC) has had quite of few memorable experiences in her young life.  Sure, I bet meeting Oprah was cool, but encountering Mr. Belding from the “Saved by the Bell,” the show with the best TV theme song of all time, now that had to be be uber awesome. And now, Kiley will represent the GFC as a member of the Dream Team at the upcoming Arena Bowl, which will feature the best of the best AFL teams.  But one has a feeling that the real superstars to Kiley are the cancer patients and families she works with on a day to day basis. Though their names are not as universally known, Kiley’s mission is making their days the best they can be.

Kiley is in her first season with the GFC and also serves as captain. A relative newcomer to Atlanta, Kiley recalls, “I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, where I spent my time with a huge Irish Catholic family. The only period I lived outside of Chi-town was when I was in college at Purdue University. I never thought I would live anywhere but a big city, but I bleed Black and Gold despite Purdue being in the middle of the corn fields of West Lafayette, Indiana.”

Growing up, Kiley had an eventful childhood, including, as she says, “I worked a ton of special event jobs growing up! One of the craziest jobs I ever had though was working the Taste of Chicago. I worked in one of the grocery store booths and was in charge of dipping the corn into giant butter tubs and chopping up watermelon. It was an interesting way to spend the hot and humid Chicago nights. “

But one unique childhood job provided an opportunity to meet a multi-media icon, Kiley recalls, “I did a few promotional videos for Oprah with my little brother.  Thankfully we were two kids who could ham up any situation and were selected among several to goof around on playgrounds and shoot scenes acting out the serious situation Oprah would speak on that day. We did meet Oprah and her voice is larger than life!  It’s great.  The studio is much smaller than you would think!  We had a blast and if anyone still has a working VHS, those videos are ready to be shared (laughing).”

Since practically the beginning, dance also played a big role in Kiley’s life, as she was inspired and mentored by truly special people, including, “My mom is my biggest supporter and number one role model. She says I danced before I could walk and decided to channel all my energy into ballet classes. It’s a good thing I’ve always been taller than most, because my mom snuck me into ballet as a two year old, when you are supposed to be three to start! (laughs) I am very shy when you don’t see me under the spotlight or in uniform, and dance has helped to increase my self-esteem and allowed me to meet so many amazing people! Aside from my mother, all of my coaches have always inspired me to be stronger and dig deeper than I thought possible. My college coach at Purdue first introduced me to the professional world through the Indiana Pacemates. I’m living in a dream world now, and I can’t believe the many blessings I’ve been given. Dance will always be deep in my heart, so it’s unbelievable to see the journey it’s taken me on so far!”

“Dancing for the Purdue Dance Team, I’ve had the widest range of performance venues,” says Kiley, who graduated with a BA from the Big Ten school. “We received a bid to the NDA National competition in Daytona Beach each year I was on the team. I’ll never forget bursting out of the auditorium at prelims with tears streaming down our faces after hearing our unranked team placed second heading into finals. Girls yanked off their tight uniform tops to breath and we pounced on each other with excitement. The next day we performed on a stage on the beach as waves crashed next to us. It was picture perfect.”

“That same year, I, the Chicago girl, performed in the pit of the 4-H Rodeo. I didn’t know what 4-H meant before my experience, but we learned quickly after kicking up some dirt in Indianapolis,” continues Kiley. “We also danced with the actor Dennis Haskins, or as we called him ‘Mr. Belding’ from ‘Saved by the Bell.’ He grabbed my poms at a Homecoming pep rally and asked the PDT to teach him some moves (laughs).”

But at Purdue, there is a really big man on campus, the strong chinned, hammer holding Purdue Pete. For Kiley, what is more a more important trait in a man; having the good looks of Purdue Pete or a guy being able to dance into her heart? Kiley smiles, “Well, that is a trick question because really, Purdue Pete IS the perfect man. He is super tall, dark and handsome, plus has the smooth dance moves on the field and court that can melt any girl’s heart.“

Once college was completed, Kiley eventually moved to Georgia to take job that continues her personal mission in life. “I work with a ministry that serves families living through childhood cancer, by providing them with a week-long seaside retreat,” Kiley shares. “During that time, we give them the opportunity to rebuild and reconnect as a family, while finding hope through God. I cannot explain how fortunate I am to be connected with an amazing mission and to provide even a minute of hope for these families. I wish I could give them more!”

Many of us have learned from family and friends the devastating news that they have been diagnosed with cancer, and it may be difficult to know what to say or do to assist someone. What are the best things people can do and say to someone dealing with cancer? Kiley responds, “I have lived through cancer in my immediate family and work with hundreds of families in the same situation. Even saying that, it’s still hard to say what is appropriate to assist someone with cancer. The best advice I can offer is just to be real. Offer an ear to listen even if you have no words to reply, make a meal and bring it over for relief or just spend time doing normal activities with the family. Families with cancer are battling an unknown enemy, but often they just want a few minutes of being normal. That’s why I love our ministry; we give laughter and normalcy back to the family, even if it is for just one week.” That sounds like the best gift that anyone can ever give.

Once in Georgia, Kiley continued dancing, starting her pro cheer journey with the Atlanta Chiefs, a semi-pro football team with a top notch dance squad. “Atlanta Chiefs Cheerleading gives you an opportunity to glance into the professional world of cheering that is unlike any other opportunity in the semi-professional world,” Kiley explains. “The love that is poured into that program comes from coaches, directors and sponsors that have been in the professional arena and want to build that same experience for everyone. Opportunity to experience what the professional world looked like with the love and support of highly experienced individuals prompted my decision to audition.”

Besides being part of her dance life, pro cheering has provided Kiley a new extended family in her Southern home, saying, “From what I have experienced, the directors and the dancers in the Atlanta community care about each other as a family would and we want to share our blessings and love with everyone, whether that be in professional or personal sectors.” Furthermore, these new connections align with Kiley’s innate desire and commitment to help others, as she shares, “What I’ve found is unique in Georgia with our pro dancers is the love and drive to be involved in the community is huge. I wanted to be a part of an organization that was driven to make a change. My hope as I continue to dance in Georgia is to make an impact that cheerleaders are here to support anyone in need, not just the players on the field.”

And this circle continues, as the traits that infuse Kiley from her experience in the spotlight help her in her main job of helping people at work, as she relates, “Dancing and entertaining has given me the confidence to present, communicate messages more thoroughly, and even shown me how and who would be a supporter of my ministry. Professional cheerleading is much more than sideline entertainment. We are trained to stay composed and put our best foot forward at all times. This is a huge advantage in any work environment!”

The huge, big, amazing news for Kiley is that she was selected as the representative of the Force Cheerleaders to the Arena Bowl XXIV on August 12th, to be played on the home field of the remaining team with the highest seed. Two cheerleaders were selected from each team and voted for on-line to select the Dream Team representative, and for the Force, the two nominees were Kiley and Tiffany. Kiley recalls finding out about her nomination, saying, “Tiffany and I were told at our team meeting before one practice that we had been nominated. I was completely shocked and honored. I still can’t believe that I will be representing our team and I am so grateful for all of the support I have received. I told Tiff when we were first nominated that I wished we could both go. She is a great dancer and would have been a stellar representative for our team as well. After we found out who made the team, I suggested she start stretching and figuring out how to fit into a suitcase so she could come along! You just might see two blue Force uniforms at the Bowl!” Certainly the fans would love the doubling of the talent and beauty that adding any of the Force Cheerleaders would provide.

“We will practice on our own before we fly in for practices a few days prior to the Arena Bowl,” explains Kiley. When asked what other city besides her home field she would like to see host the Arena Bowl, Kiley responds, “Yes, of course I’d love to have the Arena Bowl in our Gwinnett Arena with the Force Fanatics! I have never visited Dallas or Pittsburgh, though. And it would be great for my family in Chicago to see a game up there! There are so many great stadiums; I can’t wait to hear where we are headed.”

And the Arena Bowl is just the next step in a journey that has been memorable so far, and certainly with more wonders ahead. When asked about her dream job and dream place to live, Kiley responds, “Cancer has had a huge impact on my life and nearly no one can say that cancer has not affected someone they know. I would love to continue to support this cause. I would also like to continue to empower our female youth with confidence and positive image coaching as they are overwhelmed with negative messages each day. My dream place to live is somewhere similar to Atlanta with a mix of the big city life of Chicago. I would like year-round warmth while surrounded by outdoor activities!”

While she loves the idea of living in climate of warmth, no equatorial city could ever match the true warmth that Kiley produces and shares with the families she helps, her family of dance, and her family in Chicago. And certainly, no matter what city hosts the Arena Bowl, get that AC going early, because Kiley will be soon heating up the sidelines dancing with the Dream Team.

Many many thanks to Kiley for taking time out during this busy time to participate in this interview, and much gratitude to GFC Director Joie Ashworth for all of her assistance and coordination! Here are some more photos of Kiley at the last regular season game; it seems like her fun and enjoyment just shines throughout the game day.