Detroit’s Dynamic Duo Lead the Pride Cheerleaders into their Second Season: An Interview with Andrea Wilamowski and Stacey Latona

The synergy of creative singer/songwriters and supportive radio personalities took the 1960’s Motown sound from Detroit to worldwide acclaim. Such synergy is also exemplified by the two creators of the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders. Andrea Wilamowski, an experienced entertainer as a singer/songwriter herself, and Stacey Latona, a radio personality and media marketing pro, are in the process of taking their Detroit Pride Cheerleaders creation to more and more acclaim as each day passes. Andrea and Stacey saw a need for a talented and beautiful dance squad to support their local Detroit Lions, and have been through an interesting journey as they have formed the Pride as the “unofficial” Detroit Lions cheerleaders. The Pride Cheerleaders have become a visible fan favorite, with their indefatigable goal to take the next steps, actually dance steps, on the Ford Field sidelines. Andrea, the Director of Operations, and Stacey, Director of Marketing, now have a squad, in their second unofficial season, with the look and the presence of an experienced NFL dance team. Andrea and Stacey share with UltimateCheerleaders.com their complementary talents, their hard work and determination, and a look into their crystal ball of the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders’ future.

Both Andrea and Stacey are native Michiganders with their own personal history of cheer, dance, and fanatical sports support. Andrea explains, “I was actually born in Battle Creek, Michigan, but from the age of one, I grew up in a small city in northern Michigan called Frankfort. Truly a city where everybody knows your name! Football and school spirit is a huge part of life in Frankfort and I loved to watch it, learn it, and cheer for it! I cheered all through grade school, high school, and danced in college. I loved all sports actually and besides being a cheerleader, I played basketball and ran track. And, if anyone ever was to question my pride and spirit, let it be noted that even back in high school, I was voted ‘Most School Spirited!’ (among other things) in my senior year! I grew up with football in my family and probably watched almost every Detroit Lions game ever played! After graduation, I went to Michigan State University to study corporate business and pre-law. I was a part of the MSU Motion dance group as I have always been in love with cheering, dance, and football. I am a firm believer that they all truly go together to form an amazing experience!”

Stacey’s history includes pro dance, as she details, “I was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Farmington Hills, Michigan where I attended Farmington High School. I danced growing up from a young age and was a Farmington Rocket Cheerleader from eight years old to thirteen. I kept cheerleading into high school and later on danced semi-pro for the Mid-Michigan Great Lakers semi-pro basketball team in Saginaw.”

Sports in Michigan, and Detroit in particular, are an important part of the fabric that bonds their citizens. As Andrea explains, “It starts at an early age in Michigan. I grew up in northern Michigan where football is huge. People eat, sleep, and breathe football, especially Lions football. The proof is happening right now. The Lions suffered through so many losses but their fans continued to support them. Even when the economy was at its worst, fans still managed to save enough for tickets to come out and support ‘their team!’ The Ford family may truly own the team, but the spirit and pride of the people in Michigan is so great that they too feel a sense of ownership that dedicates them to the Lions.”

Stacey adds, “Detroit doesn’t have oceans to go hang out at or mountains to go hike. We’ve got boating and sports! Our teams are why we gather. We are all united in some way and it’s different than larger cities. When LA came to play the Pistons back in the day, fans found out where the Lakers were staying in Birmingham and were loud outside all night trying to keep them awake so they would play poorly the next day. Now that is dedication. My husband, who I was dating at the time and was from LA, said no one in LA would ever take the time to do something like that. We just love our teams and when we are winning, it’s like nothing else.”

Both Andrea and Stacey emerged from college to begin careers in entertainment, using their vocal talents in different ways. For Andrea, it was singing, “While at Michigan State, I was offered a singing contract on a major record label in Nashville, Tennessee, and I accepted the opportunity and moved there to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. I was fortunate to write music with many famous musicians, touring the states, and recorded an album or two. I lived in Nashville for eight years.”

On the flip side, Stacey was using her voice to begin a radio career with a sports focus, “After graduating from Specs Howard School of Broadcasting, I spent the next eight years as an on-air personality, from nights in Sault Saint Marie on WYSS Yes-FM to mornings in Toledo on WVKS KISS-FM to mid-days in Phoenix, Arizona on the EDGE. After my years on air, I turned to radio advertising sales and marketing. Since joining the sales side of radio in Detroit, I’ve worked for WRIF, WCSX, WYCD, to name a few. I was Sports Sales Manager at WXYT 1270 Sports Talk which began my love affair with sports marketing, account executive at 97.1 The Ticket, and am now an Integrated Media Specialist for Clear Channel Radio where my energies are focused on our sports station, WDFN 1130 The Fan. Since I love sports, it is easy to get clients excited about a sports station I’m passionate about.”

Andrea and Stacey take the sum total of their personal experiences, and applied them as they created the Pride Cheerleaders, as Andrea explains, “I learned so much and gained tons of experience in the entertainment world. Some things that I loved, some that I questioned, but all experiences that have helped me in the decisions and actions that have helped to form the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders. My experience in the industry is priceless and it has helped me to persevere, remain determined and focused, and not be discouraged through this entire process. Big changes like this don’t happen overnight. All I know is that I am having an amazing time meeting the fans and watching our program grow by leaps and bounds every day.”

The road to creating the Pride Cheerleaders can be traced back to when the paths of Andrea and Stacey first crossed. Andrea remembers, “Stacey and I became friends quite a few years ago actually. She was working for a sports radio station here in the Detroit area and was my husband’s account representative. She and I got along so well and after getting to know each other more, realized that we had many things in common in our backgrounds. Both of us had experience in the entertainment industry, we were dancers, cheerleaders, and loved sports! We both love Detroit sports teams and during a conversation one day, we started talking about the serious need for Lions cheerleaders. It was only a few months later, in early 2009, that I called Stacey on the phone and said, ‘I am ready to start putting a proposal together and you are the perfect person to develop this with me!’ We met that week and brainstormed for hours.”

The name for the squad exemplifies the creativity and passion of the two creators. Rather than something like the “Lionesses,” the “Pride Cheerleaders” hits the right chord on many levels. Andrea recalls, “Selecting the name was one of the most important parts of this journey. When we put the initial proposal together, we planned everything as if we would be the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders. Once we realized that we were going to be operating independently, we had to think of names that would truly reflect our team and its mission. While we were developing the proposal, Detroit’s economy was still declining, public officials were making national headlines with their antics, and the entire city was getting a bad rap, not to mention the Detroit Lions had just finished an 0-16 season! The one thing we wanted to do was bring a good news story into the headlines to help turn things around for the city and the team. We wanted to start ‘bringing spirit and pride back to Detroit!’ Our mission was defined and our name, the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders, was born. It was simply a bonus that a pack of lions is also called a pride!”

“We also would like to think that one day the Lions would be proud to call us their official team!” Andrea smiles, “You see, the name just fit for so many reasons!”

But initial proposals only set the stage for an incredible amount of work to make it reality. “After the name was chosen, it was the start of months and months of researching every aspect of NFL cheerleading teams,” Andrea recalls. “Because Detroit has never had a pro NFL dance team, we needed to learn everything we could! We visited teams, spoke with current and former directors, watched endless videos, and looked through hundreds of websites! Angela King, our uniform designer, is one of the most respected women in the business and is someone that has been instrumental in helping us make this happen. Not only did she create the exact look we needed, she made herself available to us at a moment’s notice and introduced us to some of the most influential people in the industry. With their help and the encouragement, we are now well versed in the business of professional cheerleading!”

How did Andrea and Stacey approach the Lions about their idea and what was the initial reaction of the Lions staff? Andrea explains, “My husband has been a season ticket holder and advertiser for the Tigers and the Lions for a very long time, so we know a few people in the administration. We bounced some ideas around with internal contacts and were told that because the team was starting to improve, now would be a good time to revisit and propose the idea even though others had been turned down in the past. We were told of different tactics that had been used, reasons why cheerleaders weren’t a part of the Lions franchise, and suggestions to go about doing things. All good information that we put to use during our planning meetings.”

“Our first ‘official’ contact was to someone fairly high in the administration,” Andrea continues. “While they respected our ideas, they asked us to be patient and told us that although we were on the right track, to hold off a while and revisit the concept in a few months. We remained in contact with the administration for about eight months until in March of 2010, they finally said that they weren’t interested in an official cheerleading team for that season. Although we have had a lot of positive correspondence with the Lions, they simply weren’t ready to entertain a meeting yet.”

“When we were told that the 2010 season was out of the question, we had to make a decision,” Andrea remembers. “Either wait until 2011 and re-propose the idea, or, take the sponsors that had already committed to us and field a team. In early April 2010, the decision was made to go ahead. We knew the journey would be a long and winding road, but we knew that the Lions fans wanted something to be excited about and we also knew that the team was going to be much improved. We didn’t want to miss the right timing and we felt the time was now.”

All of Andrea and Stacey’s work built up to a big day, a little over one year ago. “We put out of official press release on August 3rd, 2010 and it was the most scary and exciting days of our lives!” Andrea recalls. “We knew it would be a big announcement, but we didn’t realize that the media would grab a hold within fifteen minutes of the first release going out! It was on the radio within a couple of hours! The news was like a fever pitch throughout the area.”

But all of the planning could only take the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders so far, the key would be the squad itself. Did Andrea worry whether anyone would turn out to be part of an unofficial squad? “We didn’t really expect, nor did we want, a huge turnout for the auditions,” Andrea answers. “Our goal was to find twelve beautiful, talented, and professional dancers/cheerleaders that wanted to make a difference in the Detroit area, be mentors to youth, and represent our brand in a positive light! Our Facebook page blew up with requests for information and it was all over the news. We were the top ranked online sports story in the country for a while. When it came down to it, we ended up with just the right amount of people and twelve great team members. The team was so popular that a month later, we added four more people to the team in order to keep up with appearance requests.”

Stacey adds, “Andrea shared all the key elements. I will just add these extras: blind faith, grass roots, and many trips to local bars to look for attractive girls with my husband. Not a bad gig for him. Andrea and I wanted attractive girls first and foremost. If they could dance, great. If they were technically trained dancers, golden. I was actually shocked at the caliber of women we had on our initial squad. They were all bright, attractive, and great dancers. It was a small squad, but it was mighty. We retained a lot of the first-season girls for the second season, which I think helps in the long run.”

And the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders continue to progress in directions unofficial squads normally never venture. They took part in the past summer’s P-R-O Convention in Atlanta, with the official squads across various pro leagues. How did an unofficial squad manage to fund being part of the P-R-O Convention, and how important was it for DPC members to be able to meet other squads and be part of the event? Andrea explains, “The ladies paid a portion of the fee and our team ‘fund’ paid a portion of the fee. We also paid for their rooms and gas to drive there. The experience itself was priceless. For us as Directors, we were able to meet the other Directors and learn from their experience. They inspired us and encouraged us. We shared stories, laughs, and formed new friendships. The team itself benefited in so many ways. They came out of it with an entirely different outlook on pro cheerleading. Until this point, the Lions have never had a pro cheerleading team so we learn a lot of what we do from researching other squads. To actually learn and perform directly with some of the most well-known choreographers, dancers, and teams in the nation was quite an experience. As a result, our dances are faster, crisper, cleaner, and much more exciting than last year. Our team was able to hang with the ‘official’ pro cheerleaders which truly boosted their confidence and they came back to Michigan all smiles! We completely look forward to next year!”

So, are there pro squads, from any sport, which Stacey and Andrea look upon and say, “This is the kind of squad that we want to build”? Stacey exclaims, “Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders! I don’t even have to hear Andrea’s answer to know it is the same. We have a very long way to go certainly. If we had their money we’d be much closer.” Andrea answers, “Pro Cheer/Dance squads are an amazing combination of beauty, talent, and professionalism. I can’t find one that I wouldn’t take some part of and try to incorporate into our own team. I do completely respect the leadership and direction of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. They seem to have the complete respect of their organization’s leadership, which is something we would love to have. I think that in the end, my wish is to simply have a cheerleading team that the Lions organization recognizes and is proud to sanction and one that the fans continue to love and support.”

On game day, the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders perform and greet fans at popular pre-game tailgate locations, then they enter the stadium and take their seats as respectful, enthusiastic fans during the game, making their way to the concourse areas during the latter part of the second quarter for photo ops with fans until the end of half time, return to their seats for the remainder of the game, and then greet fans outside the stadium after the game. Stacey remembers some anxiety surrounding their very first game with the squad as they entered the stadium, “I did think I was perhaps going to be arrested for the first time in my life walking into Ford Field that first game day entrance with all these girls in uniform. We were very nervous. But hey, there is no one else I’d rather be in jail with than Andrea and for taking cheerleaders into a Lions game. How ridiculous would that be?!”

When first contacted for this interview to learn about their journey, Stacey’s initial reply was, “Journey is a good word to describe this adventure we have been on.” For Stacey, some of the some of the most memorable moments of the adventure include, “When we gave our word that we would never say we were sanctioned, and someone misquoted us and printed a story saying, ‘Detroit Lions finally get Cheerleaders.’ We thought we were over before we even got started. We laugh now, but it was a seriously upsetting moment. One that I also recall was getting a thank you card from our team about two months into our first season. The girls gave us a card with warm wishes and heartfelt thank you messages for all our personal time and money we had dedicated to them. It really kept us going in the beginning. I still have the card hanging in my office.”

In addition, Stacey’s highlights also include, “The first interview I did on television was one of the most exciting events so far. We were the number one Yahoo story for a day. We knew it was a good idea to have cheerleaders, but when it just blew up that day and both of our phones were on fire with calls from local reporters, we were blown away. Now cameras and reporters are a more regular part of what we do. We try to keep the attention on the girls, not us. But it never gets old watching people’s faces when we travel 24 hot girls deep.”

From her vantage point, Andrea’s lists her memorable moments as, “I would say the first meeting with Stacey a few years ago to develop the name and begin our proposal. I wouldn’t want to be on this adventure with anyone else! Clicking the ‘Send’ button to email our initial press release out to the masses! Receiving a call from another NFL team that wanted to talk to us about creating a team for them as they appreciated what we are doing for the Lions. And the hardest interview of my life with Mitch Albom. A man I respect and admire.”

In this new venture, what have been the most challenging parts? For Andrea, a non-Lions game moved to Ford Field because of a dome collapse created an emotional moment, saying, “For me, the most difficult aspect of this venture, or adventure, was watching the Vikings Cheerleaders as they came onto Ford Field to perform the night Vikings hosted their home game here. I was literally in tears in the stands. I am so happy we didn’t allow our DPC team to attend that game. It would have hurt them to their core.” For Stacey, the challenges have included, “Learning how to be partners. We’ve been learning how to support each other in our decisions but also to let go of some issues that the other partner feels strongly about. Also, keeping us funded is the constant worry. We pay for all the girls to attend each home game. Thank God there are only eight home games! We are getting sponsors here and there but keeping this venture alive is not cheap. Staying financially afloat is a daily stress. Although my philosophy in life has always been, control what you can control and let the rest figure itself out.”

But Andrea and Stacey’s unexpected rewards have included, as Andrea says, “We have been afforded so many opportunities, it is hard to mention just one. Being asked to be a part of charities and events that mean so much to so many people. Speaking to students in classrooms about various topics. The support of the fans has been tremendous!” Stacey adds, “We have been invited to a lot of very cool events. For example, a Game 7 Red Wings playoff viewing party at Motor City Casino Soundboard concert venue; Motor City Movement, a Detroit dance group showcase; the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Banquet dinner with a ton of local sports legends; spaghetti dinners and other charity events for veterans.”

And Andrea and Stacey are quick to give credit to those that have been essential in the development of their DPC. Andrea’s mentions include, “For me, Angela King was someone who truly reached out to help me learn about the business and was always there to lend an ear and teach a lesson. She is very well respected in the industry and she took time out of her life to help us. Also, our initial sponsors that came on board in year one who believed in us.” Stacey adds, “I was surprised at the people that came out of the woodwork and also believed in what we were doing to either do things for free for us or to at the very least cut us a break. One of our photographers Dana Kaiser shot countless hours for free and helped us get on the map with great photos. Basso Design Group cut us a great deal to do our website. Dean Bachman at Dino’s Lounge in Ferndale stepped right up with a cash sponsorship and Luigi Bruni Salon of Birmingham has to be our biggest supporter. They do hair and makeup every Sunday morning. They also do our calendar. It’s just such a great partnership and so valued. This year we have cut a trade deal with Powerhouse Gym. We train and practice there. Again a partnership that goes beyond measure.”

So very brave to start this venture, has anything ever made Stacey and Andrea want to run away like the Cowardly Lion? “Honestly, NO! I think I am pretty fearless. But that doesn’t mean I don’t put thought into my fearless moves,” Stacey laughs, “Timing is everything!”

So, with 2020 foresight, what is their dream for where the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders will be nine years from now? Stacey jokes, “We would be overseeing operations from a warm climate with a drink in our hands. All with the satisfaction of knowing we got it done! Seriously, we sincerely hope by then we would be sanctioned, of course. I believe that hard work pays off and my hope is to have the team thriving with hundreds of young women excited about an opportunity to dance/cheer as a Detroit Pride Cheerleader. That would be very satisfying. But at the end of the day, if the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders don’t ever make it on the field, we hope we can ride this train for many years to come and turn DPC into a Detroit staple. I guess at the very least we will be known as the two women that tried to get it done for the fans of Detroit.”

Andrea replies, “Wow, until this moment, I haven’t thought past five years from now! I think my dream is that all of our hard work and effort will pay off and that the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders will be recognized as the official Lions Cheerleaders. I hope to have our Detroit Promise Jr. Cheerleader program in full force and I hope to be known as one of the leading charitable giving groups in the area. I want DPC to be known throughout Michigan and the country. I want the Ford family and the Lions organization to be proud of our accomplishments. But above all else, I want to fans to continue to love us!”

And if you ever get a chance to see the Lions fans’ reaction to encountering the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders, you will see the unabashed enthusiasm of which Andrea speaks. When they look at their Pride Cheerleaders, what makes Stacey most proud of what they have created? Stacey replies, “We united a group of young women who also have a similar dream. Make no mistake, these women from the past two years on the squad are on this roller coaster with us and they are committed! We all have days when we want off the ride of course, but they are on this team because they believe in us and what we are trying to accomplish. I think they’re inspiring and I pray we continue to inspire them to hang in there. As long as every year we grow in fans, in support, in sponsors, and financially, we are moving in the right direction. Andrea and I feel responsible and we don’t want to let the city, the fans, and most importantly, these girls, who do believe in what we’re doing, down. On a side note, I think if and when we do make it on the field, the message to these young women will be to never give up. It just may shape a part of who they become as they find their career paths.”

Andrea also takes personal pride in the duo’s accomplishments, “Stacey and I were once told that ‘there is no way that two women could ever pull this off by themselves.’ When I think of that statement, and when I think of what Stacey and I have overcome to get where we are today, I am completely proud. I am proud of ‘these two women’ and I am proud of all the ladies that make up this team. Their dedication is amazing. I am proud that we have become mentors to youth in the area and that we have given cheerleaders and dancers a professional outlet to showcase their talents.”

So the squad is ready, Andrea and Stacey are ready, and Detroit’s fans are definitely ready for the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders to become an official NFL squad. They just need the approval of the “mane” people, the Lions organization. Come on Lions, in true Motown spirit, let’s hope someday we “Hear it Through the Grapevine” that some “Miracles” align, and Lions will resist the “Temptations” to deny “The Supreme” cheerleaders their place on the sidelines. Andrea and Stacey have created a REAL NFL cheer team in record speed, and their time has come, because, there “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” Lions!

We truly thank Andrea and Stacey for their time, hospitality, and their warmth that permeates from themselves to the totality of the DPC organization. Keep an eye out for more UltimateCheerleaders.com interviews with the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders, and learn about their long, busy, yet fun-filled game days.