The UCLA Dance Team has a long and distinguished legacy. In the early eighties, the squad garnered notice at the NCAA Basketball Tournament with their California girl good looks and sexy NBA style dance uniforms. So noteworthy were the UCLA Song Girls, as they were called then, that Sports Illustrated featured them in an article entitled, “Eight Beauties and a Beat”. That squad featured a future Miss USA and a bevy of “10”s.
More recently, the UCLA Dance Team has rekindled that fire over the last few years when the squad became the subject of many rival teams’ message boards, in particular one Kansas Jayhawk message board. And perhaps more importantly, the UCLA Dance Team has begun to outshine even the more heralded USC Song Girl squad, which has been beset by a series of embarrassing controversies over the past few years.
So, it was no coincidence that this past Sunday I found myself over in Pauley Pavilion with camera in hand to cover the 2010 UCLA Dance Team Auditions for UltimateCheerleaders.com. In what is a rare event for west coast cheerleading squads, the auditions were open to the public. Transparency in any organization, even one as beloved as the UCLA Dance Team has become, is a welcome sight.
I was seated midway up the middle level of the arena, seemingly far away from the performance area at floor level. With an open audition, friends and family were present and I would presume we were kept at this distance to prevent the enthusiastic fans from influencing the judges’ decisions. I was seated next to the family of one of the hopefuls (#220) and in front of a group of blonde sorority girls from Delta Gamma, one of whom would have made an excellent dance team member (assuming she could dance). They were there to cheer on a few of their friends…loudly.
There were over 50 candidates who showed up for auditions this evening. At 5:00 p.m. sharp, the candidates were introduced to the judges and then performed the Fight Song, Drum Cadence and Performance Routine. Candidates are not evaluated at this time. This was an opportunity for the dancers to warm up and hear the music in the room, as well as for the judges to become familiar with the material. Candidates then exited the performance area and the auditions began in earnest.
Author’s note: I was given unprecedented access to the 2010 Arizona Cardinals Cheerleader auditions and in this article, I will document the process from the preliminary auditions through the first and second round cuts. For those people who have never been to an audition, I hope to give you a glimpse into the journey from candidate to cheerleader.
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FRIDAY
Friday, April 16th. 6:10 p.m. It was hot, very hot. It was 93 degrees as I pulled into the parking lot of the Arizona Cardinals Training Facility in Tempe. I must have been late because the registration table was of devoid of people. As I walk on to the practice field, I realized two things: 1) there are more than 200 beautiful and physically fit girls on the field and 2) I am the only guy in sight. I quickly focused my attention on the job at hand, after all I came here to work.
I was invited to attend Friday’s festivities by Heather Karberg, the Director of the Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders, because in a deviation from last year, cuts would be made this night. No judges, only Heather and her staff would decide.
I attended last year’s auditions and I must say that generally speaking this year’s group of aspirants appeared to be more physically fit and attractive. It looks like its going to be a more competitive process this time round. That’s a good thing.
A few weeks ago, I attended a UCLA basketball game and was fortunate enough to take a few snapshots of the incomparable UCLA Dance Team. Last Saturday, I made a return visit to Pauley Pavilion and thanks to StubHub.com, I was able to snap up a lower level seat for the game against the last place Oregon Ducks. This year, there’s not a whole lot separating the last place team from the first place team. Some pundits say that the PAC-10 is down, but I think it’s more accurate to say that there is parity in the league.
In truth, it’s a down year for UCLA basketball, no doubt. UCLA has lost Kevin Love, Jrue Holiday and Russell Westbrook to the NBA. All three of them would be starters on this team if they had not left school early. But that’s all water under the bridge. This team lacks star power and is very young, which means it is prone to turning the ball over at inopportune times…like in the last minute, with the score tied and a chance to take the lead. Alas, two turnovers in that last minute doomed the Bruins. The hot shooting Ducks torched the Bruins early before beating off a furious comeback by the Boys from Westwood. Final score, Nike U. – 70, UCLA – 68.
And speaking of star power, the UCLA Dance Team is definitely not lacking in this area. See for yourself.
Over the past few years, the UCLA Dance Team has made a name for itself, winning a national dance competition in 2007, impressing many March Madness attendees over the years, and becoming the subject of many blogs (all positive coverage, unlike that other school’s squad across town). All of this notoriety and renown is well deserved. Even venerable sportscaster Dick Enberg has taken notice.
As Dick Enberg would say, "Oh my!"
Of course, Dick Enberg is well aware of UCLA, having been the school’s basketball broadcaster in the 1970’s before moving on to bigger assignments.
To continue reading this article, please click here to go to my blog, The Hottest Dance Team in the NFL.
Here at UltimateCheerleaders.com, we tend to focus our efforts on the professional squads. I fear we do not cover colleges and universities as much as we would like. In truth, I believe I am the only one here that does. I suppose that’s because I occasionally catch a college game or two. In this case, college basketball and the squad, the UCLA Dance Team.
Last Saturday, I was able to score a lower level ticket at cost (no small feat) to UCLA’s game against the Cal Bears. As a UCLA alumnus, I was rooting for the Southern Branch of the University of California against our cousins from the North, but on this day the basketball gods did not favor the 11 time National Champions. The hot shooting Bears beat the Bruins, 72-58.
Well, the day was not a total loss. I was able to snap a few photographs of the renown UCLA Dance Team.
The UCLA Spirit Squad is under the direction of Mollie Vehling and the Dance Team coach is Nicole Cohen, a former Boston Celtic Dancer and current member of the Clipper Spirit Dance Team. Both Mollie and Nicole were former UCLA Dance Team members…well after my time at the University, when I was Second Vice Chairman of Rally Committee.
They do a fine job along with the other Spirit Squad coaches, Brian Yi and Greg Calvert. But with limited funding, maintaining this level of excellence is difficult. So, if anyone is interested in donating to the UCLA Spirit Squad, you can make a contribution here.
A few years ago, the UCLA Dance Team caught the eye of many in attendance at the Pacific 10 Conference Basketball Tournament with their good looks and inspired dance routines, no small feat when you consider the more famous squad across town.
I used to shoot for a weekly newspaper, so cheerleaders are not the only thing I am capable of shooting. And with these prime lower level seats, I took a few snaps of the UCLA basketball team.
Here, Freshman Reeves Nelson demonstrates the wrong way to shoot a basketball.
UCLA Head Coach Ben Howland lovingly offers some words of encouragement to his young student athletes.
Well, that’s all for now. Until next time.
The Laker Girls are one of the premier dance teams in all of professional sports and if you get a chance to see them in person, you should. This weekend the Laker Girls were making a public appearance at the Asian American Expo, a celebration of Asian culture and cuisine. My Charger Girl duties are over for this year, so I decided to make my way over to the Fairplex in Pomona to cover the Laker Girls. It is a rare opportunity to photograph a Laker Girl performance because at Staples Center, it’s dark and there are all sorts of restrictions on the camera equipment that you can bring in. Unless you are Sasha or James and can wrangle a media credential from the NBA, a rare feat indeed, this is about good as it gets. And this is what I got.
Not to digress, but I wondered what those sparkly accents on their uniforms were. Perhaps, they were little NBA championship trophy emblems to celebrate the Lakers 2009 NBA title. Cool. But, that would be a little too immodest. Nope, they were three little crystals. Nice, but I like the NBA championship trophy idea better.
The entertainment schedule was tight, so the Laker Girls performed two dance routines and then signed autographs for the fans. All to brief, if you ask me. But then again, they would be performing again on Sunday. So, if you are near the Fairplex in Pomona, California, come and see the Laker Girls perform tomorrow at 1:00 PM in Expo Hall 4.
I stumbled across this photo of the Charger Girls from Bolt Talk, a Chargers fan site message board. It shows the Charger Girls (or whatever they were called back then) in the early years of old Jack Murphy stadium, circa 1970.
Love the white gloves. Thanks to PB Bolt for bringing this gem to our attention.
Photo credit unknown.
Why I love living in Southern California…80 degree weather in the middle of winter. While other parts of the country were feeling a little bit chilly and a little bit snowy, it was perfect weather for some football. It was warm. It was sunny. And the Redskins were in town to play the Chargers in a game that meant absolutely nothing to both of them. The Chargers had wrapped up the AFC West and a first round playoff bye. And the Redskins already wrapped up a high pick in the 2010 NFL draft. Needless to say, the football was…not good.
Now, I know what Indianapolis Colts fans feel like in late December. After storming out to a 13 point lead early in the second quarter, the Chargers pulled their starters and seemed content to play their second team the rest of the way. Against the Redskins first string, the Chargers scrubs gave up two touchdowns and the lead at halftime. When the Charger’s first string left the field, so did all semblance of NFL quality football.
The second half wasn’t much better as both teams struggled to move the ball. However, the Redskins, still playing their first string, were able to score two field goals to the Chargers one. To this football fan, it seemed like the players were going through the motions, just waiting for the game to end. How bad was it? Charger defensive players weren’t tackling, so much as grabbing and stopping forward progress. It was so bad I thought they were playing two-hand touch football. No lie. I saw a Charger defensive back gently shove Santana Moss out of bounds. Perhaps he didn’t want to break a finger nail…because Lee Press On Nails are expensive, eh?
Well, the only bit of excitement came with four minutes left in the game, when Billy Volek, the Chargers’ second string quarterback, threw a touch down pass to fullback Mike Tolbert for the come from behind, game winner…the eleventh win in a row. Other than that…the football sucked. And I paid $90 bucks for this. As the guys on ESPN Monday Night Countdown would say…Come on, Man!
The football was bad, but the Charger Girls were good!
Okay, let’s start off this week’s parade of Charger Girls with the Line Captains…Marisa, Tonya, Ashlie and Marlina.
This week’s Charger Girl of the Day is a rookie from South Pasadena, California…Introducing Emily.
Okay, let’s start off our parade of ab fab Charger Girls with some veterans, Ashley, Brittany W., Carly N., Casie, and Giselle.
And let’s continue our coverage with veterans Heather, Jacquelyn, Michelle, Nicole L., Nicole M. and Vanesa.
We had a very large group of rookie Charger Girls this year. Here’s Andrea, Belinda (who I think was a bit under the weather), Brittany R., Carly S., and Emily.
And let’s continue with rookies Katie, Kimberly, Lauren, Melanie, Natalie, Tiffany and Victoria.
And before I forget, Kylette was down in my section again. She was there supporting the Charger Girls along with Brittany W’s mom, who I think was taking pictures of Brittany W.
I tried to convince Kylette to try out for the 2010 squad, but I am not sure I was successful. She must be enjoying her retirement too much. If she doesn’t try out next year, I’ve got a spare seat she can use to cheer on that squad…it’s the best seat in the house for watching the Charger Girls.
And while on the subject of the 2010 squad, as I was getting a Charger Girl calendar signed for Max, our Arizona Correspondent, I discovered that Nicole L. is retiring this year. That’s too bad because she is one of my favorite Charger Girls to photograph.
I hope she changes her mind and comes back again for one more year. And I am sure there will be a few others hanging up the pom poms after the season. I know being a Charger Girl is time consuming and something that can only be done while young and relatively free of the responsibilities that burden us as we get older.
This is the last game of the season for me. The playoffs are a bit too expensive for my budget, so I want to take this opportunity to thank the Charger Girls for a wonderful year. I have enjoyed covering them for this blog and would like to encourage all of them to try out again. But, if some don’t, I hope they have fond memories to last them a lifetime…once a Charger Girl, always a Charger Girl.
See you next season, Charger Girl fans.
For more Charger Girl articles and photos, please check out my blog: The Hottest Dance Team In The NFL.
In a titanic battle of division leaders, the AFC North leading Cincinnati Bengals came to town to play the AFC West leading San Diego Chargers. The weather was a balmy 73 degrees, perfect Southern California winter weather. The crowd was pumped. The Charger Girls were hot. And the game was…exciting!
The Chargers scored first on a three yard touchdown pass from Philip Rivers to Antonio Gates, but the Bengals would score the next ten points before the Chargers responded with a Rivers to Vincent Jackson TD pass. It was like that all game long, back and forth. And when the Bengals tied the score on a Shayne Graham field goal with less than a minute left in regulation, most everyone in attendance thought that the game would go into overtime. We were wrong.
Philip Rivers calmly drove the Chargers down the field to the Bengal’s 34-yard line in 51 seconds to set up the game winning field goal, a 52-yarder by Nate Kaeding. Chargers win, 27 – 24.
And the most amazing site of all? At the game’s end, the last minute of the Raiders vs Broncos game was shown on the jumbotron. With the Raiders holding on to a slim, one point lead and the Broncos on offense, Charger fans were cheering the Raiders on to victory! And when the time expired, a loud roar was heard inside Qualcomm stadium. Charger fans were celebrating a Raider’s win, one that gave the AFC West Title to the Chargers. Strange times, indeed!
Well, perhaps that was the second most amazing site of the day. Here’s the first.
Yes Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus…because the Charger Girls were wearing their blue velvet Christmas uniforms! And here’s Marisa, Tonya, Ashlie and Marlina, Line Captains one and all.
And season’s greetings to this week’s Charger Girl of the Day…Jacquelyn.
This is Jacquelyn’s second CGOTD award this season. In truth, there were many candidates to choose from this week, Melanie, Marlina, Heather, Lauren, Giselle, Ashley and Nicole M., but this photo of Jacquelyn was the best of the day…okay, it was my favorite photo of the day. It’s the hair…guys dig big, sexy hair.
Now, let’s us turn our attention to the rest of the Charger Girls, a veritable holiday feast for the eyes. And this week, I am going to introduce the Charger Girls in squad order…assuming my memory holds true. If not, I am sure Max, our sometimes Arizona Correspondent will correct me. He was out west enjoying the Charger Girl goodness for a third time this year,
Here’s Marisa’s line: Victoria, Nicole M., Brittany W., Carly S., Michelle and Natalie.
And let’s take a look at Tonya’s line: Brittany R., Vanesa, Andrea, Kimberly Emily and Ashley.
Next up is Ashlie’s line: Carly N., Casie, Nicole L., Belinda, Heather and Tiffany.
And finally, Marlina’s line: Katie, Lauren, Jacquelyn, Melanie and Giselle.
It’s not often I get to show a group photo of the Charger Girls performing on the field, mainly because there are so many people on the sidelines that it’s virtually impossible to get a clean, unobstructed shot. But here’s one showing the Charger Girls in their holiday best.
And L.T. stopped by after the game to pay his respects. Dude, save something for next week because with a win, we get a first round playoff bye.
It was a game for the ages, a titanic struggle between two top teams in the AFC. Mourning the death of teammate Chris Henry, the Bengals came to play. The Chargers had a tiger by the tail and it took a last second field goal to avoid getting bit by the Bengals. But with the win, the Chargers became the…
Happy Holidays, Charger Girl fans!
For more Charger Girl photos and articles, check out my blog: The Hottest Dance Team in the NFL.
The votes are in and third year Charger Girl Ashlie was selected as the Charger’s 2010 Pro Bowl representative.
Congratulations on a honor well deserved!
Former Charger Girl Summer emailed to let me know that she and her husband are the proud parents of baby Gavin, born on November 14th, 2009 at 4:46 a.m. At 6 lbs., 1 oz. and 18.5 inches long, looks like we have a future Charger football player in the making.
Let’s wish Summer, Lennie and baby Gavin health, happiness and good fortune!
And here’s a pic of Summer back in the day.
