Desiree’s desire to be a Pacemate takes her from a small town, to the Super Bowl sidelines, and beyond!

There are some intriguing things about Pacemate Desiree. One is from her on-line bio, saying she “never took a dance class as a kid!” No dance classes (!), for an NBA dancer, who prior to the Pacers was a Colts Cheerleader? And come to think of it, why did Desiree go from cheering for the high flying Colts to, at that time, the more “middle of the pack” Pacers? In essence, the answers to these questions stem from the fact that sometimes going to games with your dad can change your life, and in Desiree’s case, take her from her small home town to cheering for two big league teams, including on the Super Bowl sidelines, and to countries across the globe. And in addition to all of this, no matter who is playing in the game, Desiree will be one of the best athletes on the court or field, whenever and wherever she performs.

Before she moved to Indianapolis after high school graduation, Desiree lived in Greens Fork, Indiana, population 423, about an hour’s drive east of Indianapolis. Desiree says, “I always knew I would get out of the small town, I had hoped to travel and live a lot of places, but Indy just feels like home. It’s a big city, but not big enough that it swallows you. It’s still close to home and it’s easy to navigate, so for the moment, I’m happy living here. Growing up, Indy was the ‘big city’ that we would come to go shopping, or to eat out at a nice restaurant. It always seemed so far away when I was little, but we always had fun when we got to go to Indy.”

Desiree is quite an athlete, and she started young. “I grew up playing all kinds of sports,” Desiree remembers. “I played softball from 2nd grade up until a few years after I graduated high school. In high school, it was volleyball in the fall, cheerleading in the winter, running track in the spring. I enjoyed sports because it kept me active.”

But while so many pro dancers are active in dance classes from as young as age three, this was not part of Desiree’s activities. “I guess it was a mix of my mom not knowing when I was that young, if it was something I would like and simply be able to afford it,” Desiree explains. “The nearest dance studio would have been a bit of a drive from where we lived out in the country, and I have a sister who is only 15 months younger, so my mom already had her hands full! I begged to get to do it, but it just wasn’t feasible for our family.”

But Desiree gained inspiration from watching talented people in action. “I would watch the Olympics and ice skating competitions on TV every time they were on, and during the commercial breaks, I would jump around the room and mimic what I saw,” recalls Desiree. “When gymnastics were on, I would literally stretch out an Ace bandage on the floor for my balance beam, and do cart wheels and hand stands. I would just start trying what the athletes were doing until I learned how to do it right.”

And Desiree also learned the ‘agony of defeat’ through her living room adventures. “Once I even put the couch cushions on the floor and decided I was going to do a back flip,” Desiree remembers. “That was the first time I gave myself a bloody nose.”

But these home performances also lead to Desiree’s first on-court dances. “My sister and I would make up dances and perform them for my mom,” explains Desiree. “Somehow, we ended up performing at halftime of a basketball game when we were about 11 or 12! Just the two of us out there doing our dance. Guess that’s when it all got started.”

And performances continued for Desiree on the court, as she details, “There were all kinds of clinics that we would do and get to perform at our older brother’s basketball games, and I started cheerleading in 5th grade. I was faced with the decision of trying out for the basketball team or the cheerleading squad, it was hard, but I went with cheerleading. I really liked performing and dancing, and it came somewhat naturally despite having no training, and I knew it was something that I wanted to continue past high school.”

And the Desiree’s dance goals beyond high school were defined by seeing a certain dance squad that she saw on trips with her dad to see NBA games. “Our trips to Indy would normally consist of shopping and going to the Pacers game,” recalls Desiree. “My dad had great 8th row seats and we always loved seeing the big players so close.”

But actually seeing the Pacemates was a bit challenging for young Desiree, as she explains, “It seems like the Pacemates always would dance during a break or a time when people would be standing up or moving around, so my sister and I would literally be jumping trying to see what they were doing. We tried to go down close to the court once, just so we could watch them, and the ushers would make us go back to our seats! We tried to dance and get on the big screen and to get (mascot) Boomer to come over and see us. We always had fun, but I was so intrigued with the Pacemates and music that I was so bummed that I couldn’t really see them. It is crazy now because I see how much we do get involved with the fans, and every chance I get to talk to a little girl or to bring one down to where we sit to take a picture. I really love doing that and it makes me so happy. If that would have happened to me when I was their age, I would have considered it the best day of my life! Every time I get to do things like that, I imagine myself at the age, and it just really makes me appreciate the position I’m in, and how ironic it really all is.”

“My dad makes certain to remind me how he took me to those Pacer games when I was younger; he makes sure that I always remember that part,” smiles Desiree.

Going to Pacers games put Desiree’s Pacemates dream was in place, but how did she end up first on the Colts sidelines? “I actually started out trying out to be a Pacemate,” Desiree says. “Part of the reason I wanted to move to Indy and go to school there was so that I could tryout. I found out when the auditions were, and just drove over one night. I can’t even remember what the routine was, but I remember feeling EXTREMELY overwhelmed. I had no idea the type of dancing or cheering they did. I made it past the first cut, but was cut by the end of the night. I was almost relieved, because I felt so out of place.”

But this try-out brought a new path for Desiree, with just a slight detour, and she explains, “I met a girl that I sat with during the auditions who was super sweet. We both were cut the same time, and we decided to exchange numbers since I would be moving to Indy in the next month. She told me about the Colts auditions and that I should try out; that it might be more of my style and that she was going to try out, too. I thought about it for quite some time, they were almost a year away, and finally decided I would do it. I stalked the Colts website to see what they looked like, watched videos so I knew the style. When I showed up for auditions, I knew who the ‘vets’ were and I watched them a lot and mimicked their style. The type of choreography was more comfortable to me. I even had one of the vets come up to me and tell me how good I was and that she just knew that I would make it. It gave me so much confidence!”

However, it seems like these auditions can be such an emotional roller coaster, as Desiree explains, “I was cut in the final round. I remember I was so upset, because I just knew I did great and I even had someone tell me I did, so it was really hard to take. What it really came down to was I just didn’t have the ‘look.’ I still looked very young and plain, and not quite as glamorous as they did.”

But Desiree kept moving forward towards her goals, recalling, “I took a few dance classes to keep myself moving and working out, changed up my hairstyle, and I tried out the next year. The vets remembered me and it was easier because I had been there before. Each round I made it through just felt right. When the squad was announced, I just remember thinking I knew I could do it, and I knew I deserved it. My family was all there, so they were able to experience it. Everyone I worked with found out, and it just felt so awesome!”

So Desiree is cheering for the biggest thing in town, the perennial Super Bowl contender Colts, as a rookie, then as a vet. Why the switch to the Pacers, who were covered by a big blue shadow at the time? “I cheered with the Colts for three seasons,” Desiree responds. “Through those three seasons, we had three different coaches/choreographers, so each year was so different in how things were run, how and when we danced, and so on. After dancing at that level for those three years, I felt like I had become a better dancer and a better performer. It was amazing cheering for a winning team, but the reason I ever became a part of it was because I didn’t make the cut for the Pacemates. When I was 12, I told my mom I was going to be a Pacemate. When I became a Colts Cheerleader, she was ecstatic, but I always wanted to be a Pacemate. The timing was right, I had grown as a dancer, and I needed a change. Once I made the squad, I called my mom and said, ‘I told you I would.’”

Desiree, compare and contrast: NFL cheerleader versus NBA dancer? Desiree explains, “They are SO different. The style of dancing for the Colts is more about hair and smiles, after all, they are dancing on uneven turf in cowboy boots, and they are standing and smiling on the sidelines the entire game! Believe it or not, that is the most exhausting part! The style is more for entertaining an entire stadium: lots of hair whipping and big moves that can be seen from the very top row. Most of the performances are done on the sidelines. They use poms in every routine, so it’s neat to watch and very clean. With the Pacemates, we’re dancing on the court which allows us to do things that are more difficult. Our routines are very fast, very detailed, and have a lot of technique. We are face to face with our fans and we get to utilize the entire court. For a few minutes of each game, everyone is watching only us. We have to retain a lot of choreography, and we could have up to five games a week, not just on Sundays. With the NFL, you are dancing four to five routines at ten or more games. With the NBA we are dancing two to three routines at forty-plus games. Both are so neat but so different. The two dance teams seemed so segregated in the past, but a lot of women who were Colts Cheerleaders have become Pacemates, and a lot of Pacemates have went to the Colts. We always go to each other’s auditions and games, and support each other, because in the end, we are all dancers and performers.”

And Desiree, are there times, like that childhood flip from the couch, that things have not gone as planned while performing at the dome or fieldhouse? “I lost my balance once during an end zone routine,” answers Desiree, “and stumbled backwards until I caught my balance, and I’m sure I had a terrified look on my face! During sideline vamps, I would sometimes get so caught up dancing and looking at people in the stands that I wouldn’t realize everyone had already turned back around or changed dances. Every once in a while, I will completely blank a move or eight count, but I normally just start laughing at myself until I can figure out what I should be doing – I try not to let those little moments bother me. Nothing too bad has happened, but it always could – I try to be alert so I never get hit with a stray ball!”

Part of pro cheer is doing work for the community, and at a recent Pacers game, Desiree enthusiastically helped collect money for Indiana tornado victims. “I have been able to be a part of so many charitable activities, things that I would have not even known about had I not been a part of the NFL/NBA,” Desiree explains. “We get to do a lot of events at schools with kids. We built a new playground, gave out new shoes to an entire school, and we do reading events all year. All of the events with the kids are awesome; I would do it full time if I could, it is really a lot of fun. I’ve been able to mentor younger dancers and give advice on following your passion. I did an event at Riley Children’s Hospital for young kids who had recently been diagnosed with diabetes. My boyfriend at the time was diabetic, so I had been a part of and seen a lot of what it was like to live with diabetes, and the lifestyle that it creates. I was able to speak first hand with a little girl and her father about it, and I think it left the father with a lot of comfort as it was something he knew little about, and something that he would be living with as well. Getting to know people personally and encourage others is very humbling.”

When Desiree left Greens Fork, she not only came to Indianapolis to perform, but also to attend college. So what did Desiree study and what would be her ‘dream job?’ “I went to IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis) and studied Organizational Leadership and Supervision,” Desiree explains. “Other than dance, I’ve never really had a ‘dream’ job that wasn’t related to performing. I couldn’t pin point what I felt I could do as a career for the rest of my life. I had worked as a retail manager for a few years and just realized I couldn’t do that forever. The experiences that I’ve had dancing are what I have found that make me the most happy. We are always moving, being so fit, and working out is really part of the job. I currently work at a medical and fitness supply company, selling fitness products, as well as a fitness instructor. I realized being active and working out was more than just a hobby and was something that I could help others with and teach. It keeps me active and I get to share that with other people, so it is rewarding. As far as the actual DREAM job –I would love to be a backup dancer!”

And now Desiree’s personal fitness includes long distance running. “I ran track in high school, and I always ran the sprints; I hated running anything long distance,” Desiree says. “Once I talked about doing a triathlon around a teacher, who was also the boys track coach. He told me I couldn’t do it, that I didn’t have the drive. At the time, he was right, I didn’t have it. In college, I started running a little here and there, and started to enjoy it. I would run five to six miles, a few times a week. A friend of mine who wasn’t much of an athlete completed a marathon, and it just kind of clicked to me that if he could do it, then I was going to have to. It was about putting my mind to it and making it happen. I trained but didn’t follow it 100%. I had set my mind to it and wasn’t going to back out. Before my first race, the longest I had ever run at once was eight miles. I ran my first Mini (13.1 miles) without stopping even once in an hour and 51 minutes. I had done something that I never had done or even thought I could do. I felt so great to know that I had done it, and with an even better time than I thought I could. I do the Indy Mini every year and although at times, it’s not so fun, when I cross the finish line, I’m glad I pushed myself.”

One of Desiree’s favorite things is spending time with her five nieces. With Desiree’s focus and pursuit of goals, what advice does she have for them for their own lives? Desiree replies, “I want them to be themselves. Be true to who they are and always go after what they want. I hope that they always go after their dreams and goals, and not to let their fears of failure get in the way. I will support them and help them in everything that they do 100%, as long as they go after their goals 100%. I think having the support of your family and friends can make all the difference to kids, and also knowing to never be ashamed for your passions. You really only do live once, so experience it all.”

Recently, Indianapolis was host to a huge event, so huge that it was really a big week of events, the Super Bowl. Asked for her thoughts of Indy’s Super Bowl Week, Desiree replies, “I felt that it went great! Watching all the national headlines we made, the great comments that were made by different sports anchors and celebrities, we made quite an impression! I was able to go downtown and walk the Village, and it was so neat to see how downtown was transformed, and all the people that were there. It really put us in the spotlight as not only a sports event city, but as a big city that has lots to offer. It showed we are capable of hosting something so large and blasting past any expectations. The Colts Cheerleaders received a lot of media attention and were able to be a part of a lot of things that highlighted what they do in the community. Everyone I spoke to said that everyone was so friendly and helpful, it really makes you happy to call Indy home.”

But what was it like to cheer on the sidelines of a Super Bowl, as Desiree did for the Colts in Miami? “Cheering at the Super Bowl was amazing, it’s an experience that you never expect you’ll have,” answers Desiree. “It was neat to see how it is all put together. Everyday had an agenda, and we really just went where we were asked to be. Seeing all the Colts jerseys walking down the streets of Fort Lauderdale, and the billboards and hotels decorated in Colts blue; that was really neat. We danced for a crowd of people that was less than half Colts fans, so that was different, and were able to perform on the field during a timeout. We were able to meet and hang out with Saints cheerleaders and go to some neat Super Bowl parties. The only downfall, other than the final score, was that there was so many people and events out on the field during the actual game, we weren’t directly on the sidelines like we were at home games. It was the only game that I didn’t really get to watch any of the action. A win would have topped it off, but the experience itself was one I won’t forget.”

In addition to the Super Bowl, being part of pro cheer has taken Desiree around the world, including Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Jordan, and Spain. What are her travel memories, and is there one place Desiree has been as a cheerleader that she MUST return to once again in her life? “It’s crazy when I think of the different places that I have been able to visit,” Desiree says. “Through a USO tour, we visited several different countries, including Germany and Italy. We were in Germany for a few days and I remember that it was so much prettier then I had ever realized. The architecture and the shops were so neat. I would love to be able to go back and experience it as a vacation. We were only in Italy for a quick two days and it rained, but we drove past vineyards, and walked around the town at night. I can see why Italy is a dream vacation for so many people.”

Back home in Indy, there has been a bit of a dark blue cloud hanging over the city, with the departure of Peyton Manning. Desiree’s shares her feelings of this change, “It just really seems like a bad dream, like it hasn’t really happened. It’s crazy how one person can effect so many people, not just those in Indiana. It’s hard because just a few months back it was announced that Manning would retire a Colt, so when this happens, you almost feel like you were lied to! Beyond being a great quarterback and, obviously, being the key to the team’s winning, he had been a part of the team from before it was the championship-caliber team. Fans believed and became more passionate about the Colts because they were able to see it grow with Manning in the mix. When other players move on and retire, it’s hard to except, but this was just different. To see that so many other players have been released too, it’s like your whole team is gone! There is not a department or position within the Colts organization that hasn’t changed this offseason, from players to coaches to management, that’s crazy! To think that any fans won’t be fans next year, is a harsh reality because it really is no longer the team we all grew a part of through the past decade. Hopefully it starts a new era for the Colts and the fans to grow and become a part of. I will always be a Manning fan, and will probably start watching more than one game on Sundays.”

Desiree’s journey from young Pacemate fan to actual Pacemate started in a small town where she created a world of dreams, staged in her living room. Desiree’s move to Indianapolis for college and a chance to perform brought her to performing on some of the world’s largest stages. So Desiree, are you a small-town girl or a city girl? “I think I am very much of both,” replies Desiree. “I’m very laid back and like things pretty simple. Hanging out at home in my sweats is the idea of a perfect night! When the time is right, I love getting dressed up and exploring the city. I love that living in the city (provides) access to anything. I can go shopping at any time, and am only a mile away from any store. I sure do miss the quiet and calmness that you get from living out in the country. You don’t hear police sirens and cars every night, and you can see the stars. I plan to be back in the country someday.”

Desiree reached for those stars as a young girl in Greens Fork, and grabbed hold of them in Indianapolis, with creativity and perseverance. Living in a small town with no dance classes? Desiree created her own choreography and performed in front of people at local games. Miss the cut for the Pacemates and then again for the Colts Cheerleaders? Desiree took a deep breath, worked hard, improved, and voila, she has been on both squads including a Super Bowl and international tours. Desiree’s story provides an inspirational story to all of those young kids wishing on a star, no matter if they are in a bustling city or quiet small town. After all, you cannot spell Desiree without ‘desire’!

Thanks so much Desiree for sharing your journey with UltimateCheerleaders! For more photos, check out this link. Have a great rest of the season Desiree!