I have been going to NFL games since the mid 1980’s and I have seen many changes since 9/11 that have made it increasingly difficult to take photographs at such events. Since then, many venues do not allow fans to bring in certain types of camera equipment, mainly “professional” cameras or lenses. Whether it is for security reasons or for image control reasons, it is often left up to individuals, often lower paid contracted security people, to define what is “professional” or not. In truth, this is an arbitrary term and as any first year law student would tell you not sufficiently descriptive to be understandable. The real impact of such vague definitions is that some people, people like me, are arbitrarily subject to increased scrutiny and action whereas others people in similar circumstances are left unfettered.
Why am I discussing this matter as opposed to subjecting you to my usual game day drivel? Well, the past two weeks I have been asked to stop taking photographs of the beautiful Charger Girls because there is an issue with the camera equipment that I have been using for the past several years. And I have been a season ticket holder since 1999 and have been taking photographs for all that time. My specific equipment may have changed over time, as I have upgraded, but it is essentially a DSLR and a long telephoto lens.
To their credit, the Chargers organization has had a very generous policy with respect to photographic equipment, that is digital and video photography is allowed provided it is for noncommercial use. But apparently this year, the policy has been amended to say that long or large lenses are not allowed. I have no real issue with their right to impose such restrictions, since it is their prerogative. The issue I have is that this new policy was not communicated to the season ticket holders in the A-Z fan guide provided, nor was it published anywhere on line. I only discovered this new policy when the security people stopped me from using my gear during the first quarter.
Okay, I am a law and order type of guy and though disappointed, I complied. And this is where my dilemma comes in. I asked, for future reference, if my lens was unacceptably large or long, then what is an acceptable length so that I could be in compliance for next time. He couldn’t tell me. All he knew is that he thought my lens was too long…and in all fairness it is a long telephoto lens. And in fairness to me, I would not have brought it in if I knew that it was, in a change from years past, too long because all I want to do is to photograph the absolutely fabulous 2010 Charger Girls.
Upon his recommendation, I went to Guest Services at halftime to seek clarification so that I will be able to continue to photograph the absolutely fabulous 2010 Charger Girls in the future. Now, the two points I raised were valid and perhaps was the reason why the very nice and understanding Guest Services people granted me permission to continue to use my gear for this game. Here are my two points: 1) if there was a new policy or amended policy, why is it that the fans weren’t made aware of it because I was not the only one with a DSLR and long lens at the game. And 2), so that I could be in compliance for next time, what is an acceptable length of lens that fans could bring in? Well, to that second point, there is no specific or definable answer, as of yet.
Other stadiums restrict, if they do so at all, lenses to be of a certain focal length. 200mm is common, if any restriction exists. Or they restrict lenses by length in inches. No longer than 8 inches is common, if any restriction exists. Some venues are more restrictive. Some venues, like at Qualcomm stadium until this year, have no such restrictions.
Now why am I bring up this up here? There is no reason other that as a long time season ticket holder, I want to be able to comply with their restrictions and be able to photograph the absolutely fabulous 2010 Charger Girls in the future…ostensibly with the same equipment that I have been using for years, but that might not be possible. And I am certain that the Chargers organization will find some acceptable middle ground where my interests can coexist with theirs.
No. The real reason why I am discussing this matter is the larger issue of personal freedoms in the post 9/11 era. In this security conscious day and age, we have lost so many of our personal freedoms, little freedoms like taking photographs in certain public places or accepting increased scrutiny and security screening when entering places such as an NFL game. Certainly most of these sacrifices are reasonable and necessary to ensure our overall security. As a law and order Republican, I sympathize with the most ardent Progressive who passionately defends his rights to exercise his personal freedoms without unnecessary governmental interference.
This little incident, while impacting only me and only in a small way, though a very personal way…made me think about all that we have lost since 9/11. We have lost our innocence. We have lost our sense of safety and security in era of modern anti-American terrorism. And we have lost many of our personal freedoms as a consequence of this new reality.
I am not suggesting that we eliminate all the restrictions in what we can bring into a stadium. But what I am suggesting is that we not lose the essence of what made America the greatest country on this earth. The freedom to do what we want to do, when we want to do it. This a founding principle of the American way of life. I expect my little issue to be discussed amongst the powers that be within the Chargers management and clarification to be reached. It may even be a league issue because in the digital era, image control issues are a hot button topic and protecting your rights is a concern.
What I am suggesting is that to the powers that be is to take a stance for the fan and allow a few more personal freedoms to be reinserted in this game day environment. Let the old policy stand. Do not take the easy road and take a hard line stance against “professional” cameras and lenses. Let people like me to continue to enjoy taking photographs of the Charger Girls and photographs of our game day experience, so we can share them with our families and friends. So, we can share the joy of going to an NFL game with those who may not be so fortunate.
So, let us be bold and take a stand for more personal freedom and take a stand for the American way of life…the way it used to be before 9/11.
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And now let us return to our regularly scheduled programming….THE ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS CHARGER GIRLS!
Football season is upon us once again and the Chicago Bears were in town to play the San Diego Chargers in the first preseason game for both teams. When the Chicago Bears come to town, thousands of Bears fans usually make the trip to San Diego. So, there was a nice crowd on hand to enjoy the mild California weather and get their first look at football.
Preseason is where coaches and fans get to evaluate the new players and see what they have to offer. Now if you’ve read this blog, you know how I feel about preseason NFL football. Hint: it’s a rip off and the caliber of football sucks. So for me, preseason is where I get a chance to evaluate the latest crop of Charger Girls and get to size up the rookies. And let me say this to all Charger Girl fans…these girls are amazing and are worth the price of admission alone! This is a hot looking squad and I was very impressed with rookies and veterans alike.
With all due respect to Katy Perry, introducing the 2010 Charger Girls. California Girls, each and every one of them.
So let’s begin with the 2010 Line Captains: Tiffany, Katie, Giselle and Ashlie.
Let me apologize in advance if I incorrectly identify any of the Charger Girls. The audition photos online are not very good and after their makeovers a few girls look vastly different from their squad photo from which I got their names.
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A couple of years ago, I started a new tradition called the Charger Girl of the Day. It was my way of identifying that Charger Girl who left the most memorable impression. This week’s Charger Girl of the Day is Kylie.
A longtime reader of the blog, Nick M., sent me some photos of the 2010 Charger Girls at FanFest from this past Saturday. So, here’s our first look of the 2010 Charger Girls in uniform.
Notice something different this year? Michelle is a brunette.
Thanks to reader Nick M. for these wonderful photos. The first preseason Charger game is this Saturday…stay tuned for the first Charger game day report of the year.
From a fan’s perspective, major league sports organizations can be impersonal. For these teams, the relationship with their fans is strictly a business affair and one that can be operated from a healthy distance. There are boundaries that are not crossed and sometimes you feel like their interest in you is only for your financial support. You don’t get that warm and fuzzy feeling and sometimes you feel like you are only a number to them…your customer number, to be precise.
Now, I am not criticizing them because I understand it is a business and big business at that. And with an organization at that level, you really can’t allow that closeness with the fans for obvious reasons. My only point in bringing this up is to say that my experience in going to an Inland Empire 66ers game is the complete opposite.
I have been out to Arrowhead Credit Union Park three times to visit the Inland Empire 66ers and I can honestly say that as a fan, you do feel a sense of community with this team. Every employee that I have met is really nice and you do get that warm and fuzzy feeling with this organization. Perhaps it is in the nature of minor league sports that they have to get closer to their fan base. Or perhaps it’s just the people. I don’t know. But every time I come out to visit the Inland Empire 66ers, I have a great time.
And the fact that the 66ers have a hot looking dance team is a plus. The Inland Empire 66ers Dance Team is definitely worth the price of admission.
The last time I was out here, the 66ers Dance Team was performing in 50’s style hoops skirts for a special promotional night and that made a lasting impression on our readers. On Friday and Saturday, I got to spend some time with them in more conventional attire and all I can say is WOW!
I’ve been to Phoenix three times in the past year and each time I come back to this place it is hotter than ever. I knew that Phoenix would be hot in July. Temperatures were forecast to be 110 degrees. They lied. It was 115 degrees as I arrived at my hotel in Glendale, Arizona. 115 degrees. Surely, this must have been the hottest place on earth.
Why was I back in Phoenix? To cover the 2010 Phoenix Suns Dancers auditions. Arizona has quite the reputation for beautiful people and in my experience, it‘s true. The professional sports teams of Arizona have been very supportive of our endeavors here at UltimateCheerleaders.com, so it was natural for us to want to cover the 2010 Phoenix Suns Dancers auditions. The Suns are a great NBA franchise with a rich tradition and they have a wonderful dance team. We don’t often get the opportunity to cover an NBA dance team and when we do, it is a rare treat indeed…one that I hope our readers enjoy.
Kari Herrick, the Director of the Suns Dancers, allowed us full access to the preliminary auditions and in this report, I will document the audition process for our readers. So, let us begin.
When I arrived in Atlanta, I had an idea of the type of article that I was going to do, my customary event report. I knew that James was going to cover each and every squad in attendance, but I wanted to do something different and I was searching for another angle. So, when Saturday began, I took the opportunity to talk with each sponsor. I wanted to find out a little more about their business and why they were here.
One sponsor stood out immediately. The Line Up is one of the leading designers of performance dance apparel. I was impressed by the number of teams that wear their fashions and in talking to owner Deb Erickson, I discovered that many of the squads here would be wearing her designs. I figured a little article covering the Line Up’s fashions might be in order, so I spoke with the organizers of PRO and received clearance to pose a few girls in their Line Up designed uniforms.
First up is the N.Y. Jets Flight Crew (NFL) and Houston Texans (NFL).
The P-R-O Convention is the premier professional cheerleading and dance convention. Held annually in Atlanta, Georgia, P-R-O features instructors from NFL, NBA, MLS, and the WPFL. Professional cheerleading squads and dance teams came from all over the country to attend the two day event.
The staff of All-Pro3 gave James and I complete access to the convention’s events. In the second part of my article, we continue our coverage of P-R-O with a report on Sunday’s events.
There’s a reason why its called Hotlanta and its not because of the weather. Last weekend, more than 200 professional cheerleaders and dancers from across the country gathered in Atlanta for All Pro3’s 7th annual P-R-O convention, or as I call it Cheerleader Heaven. Hot weather, hot cheerleaders and hot dance routines.
The P-R-O Convention is the premier professional dance convention and the instructors represent the very best in professional cheerleading and dance. This year’s instructors included:
Sandy Charbonneau – Armed Forces Entertainment
Raquel Torres-Garcia – San Antonio Spurs (NBA) and Silver Stars (WNBA)
Denise Garvey – NY Jets (NFL)
Alto Gary – Houston Texans (NFL)
Tamara Jenkins – FC Dallas (MLS)
Stephanie Jojokian Washinton Redskins
Heather Karberg – Arizona Cardinals (NFL)
Stacie Kinder – Tennessee Titans (NFL)
Shannon Kingsley – Seattle Seahawks (NFL)
Tami Krause – Minnesota Vikings (NFL) and Minnesota Swarm (NLL)
Brandii McCoy – Charlotte Bobcats (NBA) and Charlotte Checkmates (AHL)
Tracey Rutledge – All-Pro3 and former Atlanta Hawks
Michelle Stover – Washington Wizards (NBA)
Derric Whitfield – Houston Energy (WPFL)
The organizers of P-R-O gave James and I complete access to the convention’s events and in this article, I will provide our readers with a first hand look into the premier professional dance convention. We have a lot to cover so, let’s begin with Saturday’s report.
4200 miles. 200+ Cheerleaders. 7600+ images. Coverage of the 2010 P-R-O Convention begins on Friday…technical issues notwithstanding!
The Inland Empire 66ers are a minor league baseball team that plays in the California League. They are the Single A affiliate of Los Angeles Dodgers and play their home games in San Bernardino, California. The origins of the organization date back to 1941, but for the last several years the Inland Empire 66ers have fielded a dance team.
Dance teams are a somewhat new innovation to baseball and in California the concept hasn’t quite caught on with our Major League Baseball Teams. Sure, there are squads that do in game promotions and community service, but there are only a few, real dance teams in all of baseball and we are lucky to have one in our backyard here in sunny Southern California.
One of the great things about minor league baseball is that they go the extra mile to create a fun and entertaining environment for the fans. Perhaps it’s the nature of minor league sports, but there are more fun and quirky promotions than in the big leagues. And on this night, the Inland Empire 66ers Spirit Girls turned back the clock to give the crowd that 50’s feel.
