Meet Brittany, third year member of the Ladies of Ontario Fury.
Why did you become a professional cheerleader?
I’ve cheered and danced all my life so once it was time to make the transition from an adolescent all-star team, to the professional world, I was very excited and honored to be a part of such a great team in a very elite field! Being a professional dancer is one of my greatest accomplishments and deepest passions!
What was your favorite experience as a professional cheerleader?
There’s no other adrenaline rush that can beat running onto the field with all of the fans cheering for you as you line up for the music to start, I love that of course! But, I really enjoy our post game autograph sessions where I get to meet with our fans and connect on a personal level!
What is your favorite dance style?
I am the most trained and technically best at ballet, but I enjoy hip hop the most and it’s the most common in my industry!
What are the three words that describe you?
Passionate- I am consumed in doing the things I love with the utmost passion.
Dedicated- I am 100% committed and involved in everything I do to the end.
Playful- I am a girly girl and a tom boy all wrapped into one. I’m goofy and love adventure!
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know that I was painfully shy growing up and I was bullied. Only because of pageants was I able to overcome these obstacles, helping me develop into an outgoing, brave woman today who is proud to be your Miss California United States 2015-2016!
What is your guilty pleasure?
I LOVE frozen yogurt, you can call me a yogurt snob! 😉 I know the best spots and I have a rewards card at all of them.
What is the one thing you can’t live without?
I can’t live without WAZE! With my very hectic lifestyle in LA, I rely on Waze to help me navigate my life on a timely schedule.
What is your motto to live by?
“She is clothed with dignity and strength, and laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 I am a strong woman with integrity and have faith in God to take care of my life.
What advice would you tell someone who aspires to become a professional cheerleader?
It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. It may not happen your first try, but a passionate person never gives up for what they truly want. Stay in dance class and become knowledgeable in the industry.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years I see myself living in Malibu, married with 2-3 children. I hope to have starred in a few major motion picture films and owning my own pageant system!
You can see Brittany and the rest of the Ladies of Ontario Fury at their next home game on February 13th at the Citizens Business Bank Arena. For more information about the Ontario Fury, please visit their website here.
[Ladies of Ontario Fury]
[Ladies of Ontario Fury Facebook Page]
Let’s get to know Erika, a third year member of the Ladies of Ontario Fury.
Why did you become a professional cheerleader?
I was given the opportunity to start cheering/dancing at the age of 9, and ever since then I have been fully captivated by the sport! Inspired by a former Clippers Spirit Dancer, it was my dream to perform in front of thousands of people someday & that someday finally is here!
What was your favorite experience as a professional cheerleader?
My favorite experience as a professional cheerleader was being selected to perform on a live television show in India called, “Extraaa Innings” for the Indian Premier Cricket League. It was incredible to be able to take my profession overseas and to perform in front of millions of viewers!
What is your favorite dance style?
I have many different dance styles, but it’s a close tie between hip hop and bachata.
What is your favorite dance move? What is your go to dance move?
When in doubt, Pop Lock & Drop it! The drop split is my go to dance move, and really gets the crowd pumped!
What are the three words that describe you?
Inspirational, Innovative, Adventurous
What is your favorite music genre? Who is your favorite musical artist?
Anything I can dance to is my favorite kind of music! Lately I have been listening to a lot of Bollywood & Bachata music. My favorite music artist is Jennifer Lopez, she is incredible!
What is your guilty pleasure?
Sweeeeeeeeeeeets! Cookies & Milk are my ultimate guilty pleasure snack.
Facebook, Instagram or Twitter? Or some other app.
I’m a very active instagram user, although I don’t like to be on my phone all the time. My favorite app has to be shazam because when I listen to a new song & want to save it to my phone I immediately press the button and SHAZAM the song is saved! It’s also great to see what kind of music is trending in other countries around the world!
Who is the one person that inspires you the most?
The one person who truly inspires me is my mother. My mom is hard working, determined and lets no one bring her down. I often catch myself doing things my mom would do and I am proud to say I am my mothers daughter.
What advice would you tell someone who aspires to become a professional cheerleader?
Keep focused. Especially when it comes down to audition day, go in with a positive attitude and show the judges everything you have worked for all year! There are hundreds of other girls who want that spot on the team, so make it known that you are hungry for it.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
10 years from now I see myself starting new goals, and helping others achieve theirs! I see my current business growing and would love to open more locations overseas in europe! With a great support system, I would love to start a family of my own & be a supermom! I plan on investing in a prestigious dance studio and prep future professional dancers/cheerleaders worldwide! I want to inspire and volunteer my time by hosting students abroad into our community. My ultimate goal is to receive the opportunity to be featured on Tedx or Forbes!
You can meet Erika and the rest of the Ladies of Ontario Fury at their next home game on February 13th at the Citizens Business Bank Arena. For more information about the Ontario Fury, please visit their website here.
[Ladies of Ontario Fury]
[Ladies of Ontario Fury Facebook Page]
Third year veteran and 2016-17 Captain Delani has been selected to represent the Charger Girls at the 2017 Pro Bowl.
I’ve been going to Charger games in San Diego since 1995 and I have been a season ticket holder since 1999. That’s a long time. And the guys that sit next to me have been going to games for 25 years, but I only seem to remember sitting next to them for about eight of them. It could have been more, but I don’t remember. And over the years, I’ve gotten to know some game management people, who are always in my area…the first few years blocking my view of the Charger Girls with an EMT cart or some portable stages for guest performers, but I’ve gotten to know them by asking them to help me out by moving their stuff to the side and they did do their best. And I’ve meet some security folks that staff the gate I go in every week and other people like the video board camera man and his cable puller.
These are some of the relationships that I have made over the years…people you see at every game…people who are working for the organization or other Chargers fans, season ticket holders such as myself. And even though these are just people, who like myself, enjoy watching the Chargers play, we share a bond. One that I didn’t quite understand until this past Sunday.
You see this game felt like it was the last Charger game played in San Diego. For those of you that may not know, the Chargers are one of three teams that have let it be known that they would like to relocate to Los Angeles. I didn’t believe it and as recently as that morning, I felt that the Chargers would be playing in San Diego at least until next year because…there is no stadium in Los Angeles and won’t be until 2018 at the earliest. I couldn’t believe that any team would be playing in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum or the Rose Bowl for two years until the new one was ready. Maybe one year and that would give the NFL enough time, another twelve months or more to come up with a consensus as to which team or teams would win the relocation lottery.
But a funny thing happened on the way to the NFL owner’s meeting in January. This game was different than all the others I have attended and it left me with the feeling that this was the end. There was a different vibe and the San Diego fans in attendance were very loud and vociferous, cheering on the Chargers to victory. Midway through the fourth quarter, the video board played a retrospective of some the the great Charger players of the past. They even pulled Philip Rivers, Malcom Floyd and Antonio Gates from the game so that the crowd could applaud them one last time. Some of the Charger Girls became a bit teary eyed as the game came to a conclusion, perhaps thinking this was the end of something special. And when the game was over, a few thousand fans gathered near field and just stood there, taking in the atmosphere as the Charger Girls danced for what seemed like an unusually long time. The security people who normally try to shoo you out of the seating area in the time it takes me to put away my camera equipment, they let us stay and enjoy the moment. They just stood there, along with the rest of us. And the sound people played songs of remembrance, like “Auld Lang Syne” and Green Day’s, “Time of your life”.
It was surreal and it did feel like this was the last time that the Chargers would be playing in San Diego. I mean if the stadium staff and Chargers management were sending us a message, it was loud and clear. This was an end of an era. Heck, a guy wearing a game management badge came up to me and introduced himself, saying that he enjoyed my Charger Girl photos…I thought that this was one of those instances where you come by and pay your respects when you know things will never be the same. I had never met him before, but he wanted to say “hi” or was it “goodbye”.
And then it dawned upon me that this may have been my last game in San Diego…the last time I will shoot the Charger Girls here at Qualcomm. I became a little sad and felt a loss, if this was in fact the end of the Chargers in San Diego. It was something that I really didn’t believe possible…until that very moment.
It was my time to leave, so I said my goodbyes to my game day friends and as I hugged my seat mates, something I’ve never done before, I got the sense that in doing so, this was the last time that I would ever see them.
* * * * *
I understand why the NFL wants to relocate a team to Los Angeles, the second largest market in the nation. But I don’t understand why they want two to move. Perhaps its because they want to collect an additional $500 million relocation fee or perhaps the era of the NFL dangling the L.A. market out as bait to extort other localities has run its course. I don’t know.
It makes sense to me why the Rams would want to move to Los Angeles. By changing their address, owner Stan Kroenke can triple or quadruple the value of his team. And I get why the Chargers and Raiders want to explore the Los Angeles market…they have crappy stadiums and why should they have to do with out what other owners get to reap, the financial rewards of a modern venue.
But something deep inside of me says that the Chargers belong in San Diego. San Diegans deserve the Chargers, heck they’ve only supported them for 54 years. And if the Chargers do relocate to Los Angeles, it just won’t be the same. Even though I live in L.A., I enjoy going to Chargers games in San Diego. I enjoy the laid back vibe of city. I enjoy the people I meet at the games. I enjoy photographing my San Diego Charger Girls. I enjoy the long drive home, where I get to relax my mind as I listen to audio books on CDs. These are all a part of my game day experience.
Yes, if the Chargers do come to L.A., I probably will buy season tickets…but it won’t be the same. And if this was the last Chargers game in San Diego, it was the end of an era…and you won’t ever see this again.
Let’s begin our special holiday coverage of the Charger Girls wearing their blue velvet uniforms with the Captains: Kayla, Tawnie, Tina, and Katelyn.
Our Charger Girl of the Day is one of many CGs that call Yorba Linda home…introducing Bridget J.!
Legendary coach Vince Lombardi once said, “winning is a habit. ” It is a part of a process of doing the right things repeatedly. He also said, “so is losing”. It may also be said, that losing is a part of a process of doing the wrong things repeatedly. And this past Sunday, both facts were in evidence.
The Broncos continued their winning ways by doing the things that they have been doing right all season long, mainly playing solid defense and running an offense efficiently, if unspectacularly. In contrast, the Chargers continued their losing ways by turning the ball over, playing inconsistently and showing a general lack of toughness that elite teams seem to exude.
So the outcome was not unexpected and the Chargers lost their ninth game of season, while the Broncos won their tenth. The Broncos are playing for home field advantage. The Chargers are playing for the first pick in the 2016 NFL draft.
Final Score: Manning-less Broncos – 17, Chargers – 3
I think Coach Lombardi said it the best:
“Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all the time thing. You don’t win once in a while; you don’t do things right once in a while; you do them right all of the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.”
Me? I just hope the Chargers select Alabama running back Derrick Henry with the first pick in the draft next year.
Well, here’s something that will cheer up some Charger fans…
Let’s start off our week 13 coverage of the Charger Girls with the Captains: Kayla, Tina, Tawnie and Katelyn.
This week’s Charger Girl of the Day is a rookie from Ladera Ranch, California…introducing Taylor.
This past Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs came to town to battle the San Diego Chargers. The game was originally scheduled to be a prime time affair, but it was “flexed” to a 1:05 pm kickoff to reflect the won loss records of both teams.
How was the contest? It was a one sided affair with the visiting Chiefs dominating the host Chargers in all phases of the game. It was perhaps, a wise choice for the NFL decision makers to move this game from a national prime time telecast to a more modest viewing audience as this game was a stinker through and through.
Final Score: Chiefs – 33, Chargers – 3
With the loss, the Chargers moved into a tie with the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns for the honor of being the worst team in the NFL. At least the Chargers will get a high draft pick for this season’s efforts.
The only consolation for the die hard Charger fans in attendance…the hottest dance team in the NFL, your Charger Girls!
With the flexing of this game, a night game became a day game and the late November date posed some problems with the lighting. As the game started, there was some direct sunlight which gave way to a mix of shade and spotty sunlight which was succeeded by direct shade with strong back lighting in the fourth quarter…all of which led to some inconsistent and challenging shooting conditions. Geez, I would have preferred the consistent dim light of a prime time game to this and who knows, perhaps the Chargers would have played better at night.
Okay, enough misery. Let’s get on with the fun stuff and begin this week’s coverage with the Captains: Kayla, Tina, Tawnie, and Katelyn.
The Charger Girl of the Day honor goes to the cheerleader who game me the most memorable photos and it is somewhat of a rarity that a girl wins this award more than once in a season, but indeed we have a two time winner this week…introducing Delani…a two time Charger Girl of the Day.
Delani…she’s special.
Da Chicago Bears came to town and brought some fall like weather with them for another titanic Monday Night Football clash. With this game, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler renewed a long standing rivalry with Charger quarterback Philip Rivers, a rivalry that goes back to 2006 when Cutler played for the Denver Broncos. Those games were marked by competitive play and a noticeable amount of animus between the two signal callers. And this game was no different. The Chargers took an early 13 point lead, but Da Bears countered with a one yard Jay Cutler touchdown pass to tight end Martellus Bennett to narrow the score. The teams traded scoring opportunities until the fourth quarter when Da Bears scored the go ahead touchdown on a circus catch from Cutler to Zach Miller with 3.19 to go, dashing the hopes of the Chargers.
Final Score: Da Bears – 22, Da Chargers – 19
With the loss, the San Diego Chargers drop to 2-7 on the year, further depressing the enthusiasm of those local fans who have yet to give up on the team. You may recall that the San Diego Chargers have announced their intention to move the franchise to Los Angeles and that intent has been an albatross on the team, leading to a decrease in Charger fan attendance. And Monday was no exception. It almost seemed like a Bears home game with all those fans wearing orange and blue.
But alas, it was not a Bears home game. It was in fact, a Chargers home game. And how could you tell…Da Bears don’t have cheerleaders and Da Chargers do!
It was the annual Salute to Service game and the Charger Girls donned special military themed uniforms to honor our servicemen and servicewomen. Hmmmm. I wonder if the Department of Defense paid the Charger Girls to wear these special uniforms. Well done if they did!
Enough chit chat. Let’s begin this week’s coverage by recognizing the Captains: Kayla, Tina, Tawnie, and Katelyn.
This week’s Charger Girl of the Day is a second year veteran and native San Diegan…introducing Elizabeth.
Now that the NBA season is upon us, I can officially offer congratulations to former Ladies of Ontario Fury Dancer Kaylee U. for being selected to the 2015 – 2016 Golden State Warrior Girls.
Kaylee was a member of the Anaheim Bolts Dance Team and the Ladies of Ontario Fury Dance Team. Both squads were under the direction of Lynae de Leon, who has a history of developing local dance talent that have gone on to greater challenges with such squads as the Clippers Spirit, Charger Girls, Laker Girls and now the Warrior Girls.
I was fortunate to be able to photograph her for three years before she made the jump to the NBA.
Congratulations Kaylee!
Halloween came early to San Diego. Hordes of Raider fans with painted faces and wildly bizarre costumes, descended upon the friendly confines of Qualcomm Stadium. Friendly in that the host Chargers displayed the kind of points scoring generosity to the Raiders as one would give handfuls of candy to costumed kids on Halloween. To say that Raiders kicked the Charger’s ass was an understatement and somewhat of an unexpected surprise. I guess all those years of finishing last in the AFC West is paying out handsomely in a bevy of young draft talent, namely quarterback Derek Carr and future all pro wide receiver Amari Cooper, who combined to scare the heck out of Charger defenders. And if the final score seemed close, it was only because the Raiders defense decided to take it off in the fourth quarter, well after the outcome was decided. After all, the Raiders scored all the points they needed in the first half.
Final Score: Scary Pirates – 37, Hapless Chargers – 29.
Well if the game play was a trick, the Charger Girls were a treat!
Its the end of October and its still hot out here in Southern California! Hey, I like warm weather as much as anyone, but c’mon man. 85 degrees and humid? Its autumn. In a month and half it should be winter. But I am not complaining (okay, I am) because good weather means, good shooting! However, a cool and crisp fall Sunday would be a nice change of pace.
The Charger Girls changed things up a bit and mixed the order in which their lines showed up in my part of Qualcomm, so let’s begin this week’s coverage with the Line Captains as they appeared before my section: Kayla, Tina, Tawnie, and Katelyn.
This week’s Charger Girl of the Day is one of three former Arizona Pommies on the CGs…introducing first year Charger Girl Allie!
Monday Night Football is always a big deal and a game with the Pittsburgh Steelers is a big, big deal. Their fans always travel well and for a Monday Night Football game, there were Steeler fans coming out of the woodwork. Every where you turned, they were people wearing black and yellow. In fact there were hundreds of Steeler fans at the Bud Light Power Party, most of them lined up in front of the Charger Girls booth. Heck, it was like they never had seen NFL cheerleaders before…that’s right, they don’t have them!
Well as it would turn out, Steeler fans were doubly lucky. They pulled out a close win on the last play of the game AND they got to see the hottest dance team in the NFL, your Charger Girls. Psst! Between you and me, if I had to choose between a win or the Charger Girls…I choose the Charger Girls.
Night games are always tricky to shoot because…its at night and there’s not a lot of light…okay not a lot of good light, just that sickly yellow green tinted mercury vapor illumination. And for a Monday Night Game there were double the amount of people on the sidelines…you know, ESPN vested guys, NFL vested guys, Media vested guys…all of them conspiring to get in the way of my shot of the Charger Girls. And the Chargers, in their infinite wisdom, brought back a huge stage in front of my seats. Its a wonder, I got the images I got.
Let’s begin with the Charger Girl Captains: Tawnie, Katelyn, Kayla, Tina.
Our Charger Girl of the Day is a rookie who calls Mission Viejo her hometown, introducing…Rebecca.
