NFL fever is in full blaze, and prior to the Tennessee Titans’ first game at home against the Patriots, there was a discernible buzz in Nashville. Not only were Tom Brady and his high profile mates in town, but the number one CBS broadcast team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms was also in Nashvegas covering the game. Before that first game, every team is undefeated, and optimism and anticipation fills the late summer air.

So there was also a lot of excitement among the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders as their first chance of the season to hit the field to the roar of a regular season crowd approached. This season’s squad again exemplifies why the TTC are the embodiment of “America’s Cheerleaders.” Like a Pete Seeger song, the Titans Cheerleaders represent this country from sea to shining sea, from the Great Lakes to the Lone Star State, and from Colorado to New England; aka, “These Cheerleaders are your Cheerleaders.”

The Titans Cheerleaders first week of the NFL regular season was dotted with the calendar release party, the Friday Code Blue Pep Rally, and finally, the real thing, the game: the chance to be on the field and perform for tens of thousands, and support Nashville’s football elite. Saturday’s rain had chased away the 90 degree temps that seemed omnipresent for months in the middle of the country, and Sunday game day brought bright skies and temperatures in the upper 70’s.

The Titans Cheerleaders hit all of their marks, from pre-game appearances to running onto to field for player introductions to their sidelines and feature routines. The TTC are the perfect squad to embody a city that is committed to provide musical entertainment both locally live and transmitted to the rest of the globe.

The TTC are assisted on game day by Jennifer Hill, a dedicated TTC alum, who also was part of the NHL Nashville Predators dancers. Jennifer was a five year Titans Cheerleader, captain, and Pro Bowl Cheerleader in 2007. Jennifer is not only devoted to cheer and dance, she is a real football fan, exemplified by being a serious fantasy football player. Jennifer is an engineer in the automotive industry.

And although the game did not go the Titans way, I was not shocked to see that the Patriots lost in week two. The Patriots did not dominate the line of scrimmage, and were not running or passing at will. It seemed that in key situations, Brady may have received a one count of extra time to complete the pass for first down, whereas the Titans QBs had to deal with a little more pressure. But, continuing the trend from last year’s Super Bowl, Brady seems to be struggling to complete deep routes.

So it was a busy week for Titans Director of Cheerleading Stacie Kinder, and although it ended with a Titans loss, there were some highlights. Jon Bon Jovi is friends with the Patriots’ owners, so he was on field during pre-game, and Stacie had a chance to talk to him. Just one of the perks of being Cheer Director in Music City, you never know who you will run into.

And thanks so much to Stacie and the Titans! Interviews with the Cheerleaders are on their way, and here are pics from the Titans-Patriots game, and more are at this link.

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Last Friday, Nashville’s NFL fever was stoked with the first ever Titans Code Blue Pep Rally, featuring the Mayor of Nashville, Titans players, Titans mascot T-Rac, announcers, marching bands, live music, and, of course the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders. Besides performing, signing calendars, posing with fans in photos, and helping during prize giveaways, the Cheerleaders may have also earned some spots on the Titans QB depth charts.

Downtown’s Walk of Fame Park hosted the event highlighted by appearances by Titans tight end Jared Cook, safety Michael Griffin, linebacker Colin McCarthy, and cornerback Jason McCourty, plus a presentation to Nashville Mayor Karl Dean of a personalized 12th Man Titan jersey. And among the required ingredients for any pep rally, the Titans Cheerleaders provided a dose of 1000 times the daily recommended amount of energy to get the fans ready for some football!

As the Titans Cheerleaders entered the stage the team’s statement chant, “We are, TITANS! We are, TITANS,” fans could sense that things were going to get shaking in Country Music Walk of Fame Park. The Titans Cheerleaders performed to the cheers of the fans, and then interacted with them. Signing the calendars that were revealed the night before at the calendar release party, taking photos with the attendees, and just being the gracious, effervescent squad that they are all the time.

After a performance by a marching band, another pep rally staple, the Titans Cheerleaders returned to the stage during the giveaways of some cool prizes. On stage, Anne P was asked how the game day excitement of the fans affects the Cheerleaders, and Anne responded, “My absolute favorite part of the game is always that minute we run out to the field, all the fans are in the stadium cheering. There’s nothing like it here in Nashville! So we are excited for Sunday!”

Some of the prizes were little footballs that the Cheerleaders threw to fans. From a stage, over a concrete performance area, all hitting their targets of eager fans, the Titans Cheerleaders showed that the Titans have some really good arms in their organization, not only Locker and Hasselbeck, but on the sidelines too!

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Florida Panthers Ice Dancers Melissa and Alica

Perfect timing Thursday night for the Titans Cheerleaders swimsuit release party. Why? Well, (a) from the enthusiastic fans that filled Nashville’s Cobana restaurant, and seemed to have started lining up for autograph sessions when the calendars were still hot off the presses, it seems like the fans are READY for the 2012-2013 TTC calendar; and (b), the Titans Cheerleaders themselves need a calendar to keep track of all of their events this week. Thursday, calendar release party, Friday, a downtown Titans rally in the late afternoon, a game against the Patriots Sunday, plus all the rest of their TTC appearances and busy lives.

TTC Director of Cheerleading Stacie Kinder and her squad put on a show for their calendar release party, giving fans a routine in uniform, hitting the runway in swimsuit and their own personal takes on the “little black dress,” and ending with autographing the calendar produced during their June photo shoot in Destin, Florida.

Many former members of the squad were in attendence, including burly helper Tony. Tony was on the squad about a decade ago when the squad was co-ed. His strength was still well applied helping with all kinds of activities at the release party.

Angie and Brooke took time out from their runway preparation to participate in interviews with UltimateCheerleaders that will be coming soon, but first, here are a few photos from Thursday night’s event:

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As fans entered Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium for the final pre-season game matching the Colts against the Bengals, Colts fans mixed feelings were illustrated by their apparel. Certainly, there are mostly fans donning Colts blue, and the number in Andrew Luck garb is growing. After all, what is not to like: a young man from a football family, from a great school (even willing to stay an extra year when he was a sure number one pick), who has said 100% the right things so far. But there are also a few fans wearing orange Broncos jerseys, sporting #18. After the Colts drafted the estimated next John Elway in Luck, #18 Peyton Manning went to play for Elway in Denver. Ahh, the circle of NFL life.

So after Andrew Luck played a few downs (to me, the shock of the night, I expected none), players fought for final roster spots. In the end, the last pick of the draft, Mr. Irrelevant, QB Chandler Harnish, completed a 42-yard touchdown pass to rally the Colts to a 20-16 win over the Bengals.

On the sidelines, the Colts Cheerleaders are all set, roster in place. Of course, just like missing Peyton, it is still a shock not to see Ashli A on the field. But just like rookie QB Luck coming in to step into those big cleats, there are lots of great vets like Allie J and amazing rookies like Shaela D to help start the next Colts generation. Here are a few photos from the game!

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Colts Cheerleader Hannah lists her “guilty pleasure” on the Colts website as “Wedding TV shows.” Well Hannah, remove the “guilty” from that pleasure, because now they qualify as “research”! Last night at the Colts final pre-season game against the Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium, Hannah’s boyfriend proposed on the field during the first half. From Hannah’s positive “reception,” it seems her boyfriend’s proposal was successfully “completed” near the goal line!

During the end zone routine between the first and second quarter, stadium video screens showed a young man holding a “I (heart) the Colts Cheerleaders” sign. Despite a “fumble” by the PA announcer who said to stop the music right after the song started, the routine continued until he inserted the properly timed, “Stop the music!” towards the end of the routine (it’s “pre-season” for the announcers, too, I suppose). Hannah’s boyfriend walked onto the field, and the other side of his sign read, “Hannah Will You Marry Me?” and he knelt on the field to propose to a shocked but joyous Hannah.

But NFL game day schedules stop for no man, and soon the happy couple had to leave the field to complete their big happy hugs. Then, Hannah and her Colts Cheerleader sisters hugged, along with hugs for coach Theresa Pottratz, and after the newly betrothed left the field for a bit, soon Hannah was back on the field wiping a few tears while sharing laughs with her linemates.

Best wishes to the happy couple! And FYI, from my thorough analysis of TV’s “Four Weddings,” if you decide to have an outdoor wedding, make sure to check to see if the site is too close to airplane flight paths or trains, and be sure to have a photo booth. Always a photo booth…

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Oh, those “fish out of water” stories, ranging from Aesop’s Fable about the scaredy-cat country mouse and his cousin the city mouse, to reality TV’s The Simple Life with Paris Hilton and Amish in the City. These tales seem to say that going from small town to big city, or vice versa, will make people miserable and yearn to go back to their comfort zone. Well, Brittany, captain of the Boston Cannons Dance Team, finds fun and excitement whether she is in her home town of less than 5,000 or in her life in Boston. Brittany rocks it no matter if she is on the ski slopes in winter, or dancing on the Cannons sidelines in summer. The constant for Brittany, no matter where she is, is maintaining and building her personal connections to the people in her life, be it in her small town network or meeting new people in Boston. So Paris H, you should hang out with Brittany and make her your new BFF. Brittany can find her comfort zone anywhere, and always make sure she find an adventure “that’s hot.”

Brittany shared with UltimateCheerleaders how she went into the so in-demand field of accounting, how she craves what she sees on her favorite TV show, and what will make her hit her horn if she sees you in Boston traffic.

Brittany is a New Englander through and through. “I was born in Massachusetts, grew up in Lunenburg and then moved to Southern New Hampshire when I was about seven years old,” Brittany explains. “My favorite memories growing up are spending every summer on the Cape with my grandparents. Going camping, eating seafood, riding bikes, and digging for clams on the beach.”

Brittany’s small home town is Brookeline, New Hampshire, but much of her life now is centered in Boston. “I am absolutely in love with New England; the food, the ocean and being able to have all four seasons,” Brittany says. “My favorite part about being from a small town is knowing people. I can’t go anywhere in my town without seeing at least one person I know. I also love being able to go for walks or a hike in the woods whenever I get restless.”

“What I love most about Boston is all the different restaurants and meeting new people,” shares Brittany. “Boston is full of so many different cultures and people you can’t help but what to try new things and be adventurous.”

And adventurous is a perfect description for Brittany. In her Cannons bio, when asked about what is in her trunk, Brittany answered, “Camping chairs, boogie boards, and my snow boots. Ready for anything!” As far as her favorite outdoor activities, Brittany lists, “In the summer I love going camping, hiking, and just being around the water, ocean or lake. In winter I enjoy skiing and snowmobiling.” So, is dancer Brittany just as graceful in all this outdoorsy endeavors? “I am a lot more graceful dancing than I am on the slopes,” explains Brittany. “I started skiing before I started dancing, but I really don’t think there has been a time when I haven’t face planted the mountain.”

Brittany graduated Cum Laude from Suffolk University’s Sawyer School of Management, double majoring in Accounting and Marketing, and is now an accountant. “I was a sophomore in college when I decided to major in Accounting at the time my major was solely Marketing, as was everyone else’s major,” Brittany recalls. “My first accounting class, I aced, and after that I knew that if accounting was going to come easy to me, that I should do it. And I quickly learned that accounting was not as popular as marketing and this could possibly help me get a job faster.”

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Chicago’s newest team, indoor soccer’s Chicago Soul, is headed for kickoff this December. And if dancers want to put their heart and soul into the Soul, Wynning Teams is creating a dance team and other in-game entertainment, so prep classes and interviews are on the horizon!

Wynning Teams is celebrating its 10th anniversary season of creating and managing the Chicago Blackhawks Ice Crew, as well as working with many other existing area sports team entertainment programs. We are excited to announce a new partnership, one that will allow us to use our ten years of experience to create and manage a brand new sports entertainment squad.

This new partnership is with the Chicago Soul Indoor Soccer organization, whom will be kicking off their inaugural season at the Sears Centre on December 7th, 2012. Wynning Teams is currently assembling a 25-person performance team that will include dancers, promotional outreach models and in-game entertainers.

You can be assured the members of this team will receive top of the line training and opportunities for self/professional development. We have trained over 100 sports ambassadors, many who have gone on to NFL and NBA dance teams, TV reality shows and dance revues.

Prep classes for interested dancers will take place in Hoffman Estates on Wednesday, September 19th, Friday, September 21st and Sunday, September 23rd. Those interested in our promotional outreach program and in-game entertainment, interviews will take place on Sunday, September 23rd. For more information and to register, please go to the “Sign Me Up” tab on our website
All questions may be addressed to Wynne Lacey at wynne@wynningteams.com or by phone at 630.881.3052

After attending my first lacrosse game at Harvard Stadium to see the defending MLL champion Boston Cannons and their super wonderful Boston Cannons Dance Team, I make this personal guarantee to you if you check out a Cannons game:

-The first time the real cannon explodes, either in pre-game or to celebrate a home team score, I guarantee you will be propelled off of your seat so forcefully that you will break the Ivy League high jump record with ease

-Just walking into Harvard Stadium will add 20 points to your IQ. After entering, you will react just like the Wizard of Oz’s Scarecrow upon receipt of his diploma, and exclaim, “The sum of the square roots of any two sides of an isosceles triangle is equal to the square root of the remaining side. Oh joy, rapture! I’ve got a brain!”

-You will greatly enjoy the speed and scoring of the game. More scoring than soccer, hockey, baseball, and football, less than basketball; a nice middle ground

-You will hear kids telling tall, tall tales to try to get anyone on the field to throw them one of the game balls (like, “Hey, I dropped that ball and my mom will be really mad if I lose it”), and I guarantee you will think to yourself, “Why don’t they just buy one at a sporting goods store?”

-I guarantee that you should scan the sidelines for celebrities and the otherwise famous, and although I cannot guarantee whom you will see, all of a sudden I looked up and Pats coach Bill Belichick was standing right in front of me (I was going to include a photo, but hey, this is not UltimateCoaches.com)

-I guarantee that if you have a camera, and you sit near the Dance Team, you will leave with scores of photos of this wonderful squad, who far outshine in person what you could ever imagine from still photos. To paraphrase the Men’s Warehouse guy, “You’re gonna like the way they look, I guarantee it.” And the way they dance, the way they interact with fans, et cetera, et cetera,

My illustration of this last guarantee features striking second-year BCDT Tanya, from Somerville, Mass. And if you are unable to attend next weekend’s MLL’s climatic Championship Weekend at Harvard Stadium to see the BCDT, here are some more photos of Tanya at this link. I think you might like seeing Tanya and her teammates as they entertain Boston’s pro lacrosse fans. In fact, I guarantee it!

From October 2011 – Carolina Panthers TopCat