The Lightning Girls at the Tampa Heart Walk

Jackson, Florida Correspondent | Nov 15, 2012

Media analysts say that labor arguments in professional sports are between billionaires and millionaires and therefore no losers. That’s a over simplification because the supporting cast members of arena workers, fans and cheerleaders can easily be left out in the cold (or heat as in Florida). Hopefully the NHL will soon come to its senses before the entire season is lost forever.The Lightning Girls are not sitting on the sidelines however as they have taken the opportunity to increase their community involvement during this 20th anniversary year of the Tampa franchise.

This past Saturday I caught up with eight members of the squad as they were out supporting the annual Tampa Heart Walk at Raymond James Stadium. Some 25 thousand participants came out with multiple sub teams from the Lightning Organization. This years’ chairman for the popular event is Lightning General Manager Steve Yzerman. The Lightning Girl’s are managed by Kelli Yeloushan, Director of Entertainment and the captain this season is 4th year veteran Crystal Romano, an attractive articulate kindergarten teacher (and model) from Tampa.

I asked Mr Yzerman about the value of the Lightning Girls to the organization and his praise was glowing: “They have done a really nice job of engaging with our fans and guests at the many functions we’ve hosted and attended over the last three months. They represent the organization proudly with class and character…and we’re thankful for their efforts.”

I asked Crystal if her dancing bones were getting stiff from waiting for the season’s start and she said “absolutely not, just the contrary, we are out and about more as we acknowledge the Lightning’s 20th Anniversary”. Kelli tells me “the veterans have helped allay the rookies anxiety about the lockout and to just have fun. We have a very dedicated group of girls, who really enjoy their time with fans and being out in the community.”

Every negative presents positive opportunities and per Kelli the canceled games has allowed the squad to “make more community appearances and get involved in our outreach programs then they normally would be able to at this time of year. Their value as ambassadors cannot be understated.”

Here’s hoping a resolution is close at hand—for this fan it will be a boring winter without hockey and the Tampa Bay Lightning Girls performing. Enjoy the photos and remember to exercise your heart.