In the early 90’s, I was a Los Angeles Raiders season ticket holder and when Al Davis packed his bags and went back north to Oakland, I decided to check out a few San Diego Charger games to get my fill of NFL football.  In this installment of From the Archives, I present one of my earliest photographs of the Charger Girls, taken with my old Canon film camera.

The environment at old Jack Murphy Stadium was much more family friendly than the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the excitement and pagentry of the NFL was so compelling that I soon became a San Diego Charger season ticket holder.  Of course, the Charger Girls were also one of the reasons for becoming a Charger fan, as you can tell from this photograph of Shelby C. from the mid 90’s.

Check out how high the waist is on this version of the venerable Charger Girl skirt!  It’s almost Victorian by modern day standards, but still, perhaps, my favorite version of the uniform.

Owing to the success of the 2004 Athens Olympics beach volleyball cheerleaders, the AVP has added a professional dance team to their beach volleyball tour.  Featuring a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, a former San Diego Charger Girl and a former Laker Girl, the AVP Dancers will premiere at the 2009 AVP Crocs Slam Bud Light Manhattan Beach Open this week.

AVP Dancer Kortney

AVP Dancer Nancy

AVP Dancer Makenzi

Coincidentially, I have had the good fortune to photograph three of the AVP Dancers over the course of my photographic travels.

Kortney as a Charger Girl

Makenzi as a DCC

Nancy as a Laker Girl

So, if you are in Southern California this weekend, head on over to Manhattan Beach and check out the AVP Dancers.

This installment of From the Archives features one of my favorite Raiderettes, Anjanette Ayabari.  Like many Raiderettes, her exotic good looks led to a career in the entertainment field, most notably in the Philippines.

The Raiderette uniform has undergone minor changes throughout the years, but this version from the early 1990s is what comes to my mind when I think of the Raiderettes.  Like the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders uniform, the Raiderette uniform is a cheerleading classic.

This is a slow time of the year for me, the weeks before the NFL season starts, so I am inaugurating a new segment entitled “From the Archives”.  I have been photographing cheerleaders since my college days (a very long time ago) and have accumulated many photos that I would like to share with our readers.  So, in this first installment, let’s take a look at the Los Angeles Rams from the mid to late 1980’s.

Check out the head band and the fishnets!  The only thing missing are leg warmers.  Gotta love the ’80s fashions.

Congratulations to the Laker Girls and the Los Angeles Lakers on winning the 2009 NBA Championship.

And a sincere thank you to all the NBA Dance Teams who make watching an NBA game so special.

How did you prepare for Laker Girls auditions this summer?

I stepped up my workout routine by doing extra cardio and really focusing on stretching, since flexibility is important at auditions. I also worked on increasing my stamina since the first day of auditions is a very long day and requires a lot of energy.

What other styles of dance do you do outside of Laker Girls rehearsals to maintain your skills?

I love taking hip hop and jazz classes, and I really need to get back into ballet too!

Do you do anything outside of dance to stay fit (ie swimming, biking, etc.)?

I love doing cardio at the gym, and I also love hiking when I get a chance to go.

Take us through your typical workout. Do you use weights, cardio, flexibility exercises? If so, please describe.

I start out with 30-45 minutes of cardio on the elliptical machine. Right after that, I stretch because I like stretching when my muscles are still warm. From there, I move on to my favorite weights/resistance exercises–squats, lunges, sit-ups, and various exercises on the large exercise ball.

What do you eat to stay healthy/maintain energy?

I love having eggs with avocado, and fruit on the side for breakfast. It starts my day off right and gives me the energy I need to get going. My favorite lunch is a turkey sandwich or a fruit smoothie, and for dinner I love having a fresh piece of fish with asparagus and couscous! I love having original tart flavor frozen yogurt for dessert because it’s only about 90 calories per serving and absolutely delicious!

Talk about the importance of stretching, yoga or Pilates in your workout.

Stretching is absolutely essential as a dancer, and I love doing it because it is calming and relaxing for me. I love Pilates because it strengthens my core, which in turn makes me a sharper, stronger dancer. Yoga is extremely therapeutic and beneficial for me too. Its simplicity makes it great for beginners too.

How do you balance dancing vs. other fitness related activities?

I like to workout at the gym every other day (the days we do not have practice), so that I’m active everyday and I can alternate activities.

Who made you aware of the importance of staying fit?

Honestly, I picked it up on my own when I was in college and realized I had gained about 8 of the Freshman 15. I’m pretty self-motivated because I like feeling fit and in good shape. But, I’m also inspired by the trainers at the gym because of their dedication to fitness.

What do you find a “nutritional snack” during the day? In addition, tell us about your favorite meal to eat that you find healthy for your lifestyle.

I love, love, love Fuji Apples–they are a sweet, nutritional snack and they fill me up just enough to hold me over between meals.

What advice would you give to Lakers fans about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle?

I would say to make diet and exercise equally important–they go hand in hand and both are necessary for a healthy lifestyle. Don’t jip yourself by only doing one or the other.

Do you have an everyday helpful, healthy tips for any of the Lakers Fans?

Drink lots of water!! It gives you energy and is so much better for you than soda and most other drinks. It also helps with portion control because it fills you up.

More Laker Girl fitness profiles, here.

Draft Day.  A football team’s fortunes may be determined in the few minutes it takes to draft a Peyton Manning or a Ryan Leaf.  For the hardcore football fan, it is one of the most anticipated days of the year.

This past Saturday, I made the long trek to the bay area to experience the 49ers Draft Day Party.  Thousands of 49er fans packed the Santa Clara Convention Center to partake of the festivities and to eagerly await their team’s draft pick.  Fans booed and cheered as the picks were announced, proving that this crowd was as knowledgeable and passionate as those hardcore fans in attendance in New York.  A huge roar erupted when the Raiders, with the seventh pick, dubiously selected Darrius Heyward-Bey, the wide receiver from Maryland whom many considered to be a late first round pick.  Derisive laughter soon followed because that meant with the tenth pick overall, the 49ers were able to select the consensus top wide receiver in the draft, Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech.  Score one for the niners.

Soon after the pick, Head Coach Mike Singletary made an appearance and briefly addressed the crowd.  Now, I was never a Chicago Bear fan, but I became a fan of Mike Singletary after his famous “cannot play with them, cannot win with them, cannot coach with them” rant against Vernon Davis’ uninspired play last year.  Go get ‘em coach.

And the best part of the 49ers Draft Day Party…the Gold Rush cheerleaders.

The Gold Rush were on hand to meet and greet all the fans who came out to support the 49ers.  They graciously signed autographs and posed for photos throughout the day.

Okay, let’s give some recognition to the Gold Rush and start off the roll call with Meridith and Lauren D.

Last week I was in Arizona covering the Cardinals cheerleader auditions.  This week, I’m back in L.A. covering the Laker Girls.  For the past eight years, 1330 AM ESPN Desportes, a local Spanish language radio station, has sponsored Fiesta Lakers, a celebration of Latino heritage and, coincidentally, the Lakers.  Thousands of fans packed the Los Angeles Convention Center to watch ballet folklorico, local bands, hip hop dance groups, and to show their support for Los Lakers de Los Angeles.

The Lakers Girls were featured performers at Fiesta Lakers and I could not pass up the opportunity to photograph the NBA’s most renowned and recognized dance team.  For the Lakers are synonymous with basketball in Los Angeles and the Laker Girls are rock stars.  As long as I have been a Lakers fan, the Laker Girls have been the gold standard to which all other NBA dance teams must be judged.  And this latest group is no different.

Like the thousands of other fans, I waited in line for what seemed like hours to get a glimpse of the famed dance team.  The Laker Girls didn’t disappoint, performing three times over the course of the five hour event.

Every one of the Laker Girls is a beautiful and talented dancer as you can tell from these photos.

Now I must say two Laker Girl girls caught my eye.  Fresh faced Annika, a graduate of UCLA, is a wonderful dancer and not too bad on the eyes.

First year Laker Girl Jessica, a strikingly beautiful blonde, is remarkably photogenic.  With eyes that sparkle and a beautiful smile, Jessica is the epitome of a Laker Girl.

Of course, the highlight for many was a chance to see the Lakers up close and personal…if for only a few minutes.  Luke Walton, Trevor Ariza, Pau Gasol and heartthrob Sasha Vujacic spoke appreciatively to the fans for all their support.

Don’t you just hate European players?

But, the crowd really came to see only one person.  Kobe Bryant, the once and future King.  And the King arrived to chants of M-V-P, M-V-P, M-V-P.  Well, I think one player in Cleveland might take umbrage.  But I don’t think Kobe is too concerned.  Gearing up for the playoffs, Kobe gave a rousing speech to the thousands that had assembled near the stage.

And with that, Kobe and the rest of the Lakers departed to prepare for the evening’s contest against the Memphis Grizzlies.  I, too, soon departed.  For my job was done.

It’s that time of year again, college basketball annual hoops fest formally known as March Madness. Sixty four of the nation’s best college basketball teams competing for the elusive NCAA Championship trophy. March Madness is also a showcase of the some of the nation’s best college cheerleading and dance teams. Throughout the years, one squad has garnered perhaps the most attention on the court, UCLA’s Dance Team.

Once the subject of a 1981 Sports Illustrated article entitled, Eight Beauties and a Beat, the UCLA Dance Team, then called Song Girls, popularized the more glamorous, NBA style uniforms that are de rigueur today. That squad featured a future Miss USA and Miss Universe Runner Up, in Julie Hayek. It was also a squad that was very popular amongst opposing fans and sportswriters who increasingly began to take notice during the Bruins 1980 Final Four run in Indianapolis .

And though UCLA’s basketball fortunes have waxed and waned since then, one constant remains…the glamour and beauty of the UCLA Dance Team. Here are a few photos of the current UCLA Dance Team.

James, our fearless publisher, emailed me a few weeks ago asking whether I would like to come down to Anaheim and report on the Anaheim Arsenal A-List Girls. You see, I’ve taken on an expanded role with the blog as we take this endeavor to the next level and James has been kind enough to provide me with a couple of opportunities to increase my involvement. So, it was with great excitement that I accepted his offer./I knew this would be a challenge because the Arsenal plays their home games in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena, home to the Big West Conference basketball tournament. These arenas can be a challenge because the lighting is typically not so good and you have to have the experience and right equipment to be able to capture fast moving action under these difficult conditions. Now, I have been known to shoot a cheerleader or two in my day, so I came with my “A” game.

The Anaheim Arsenal play in the NBA D-League, the NBA’s minor league farm system that provides experience and training for young basketball players. Coincidentally, the A-List Girls seem to be a feeder system to other professional cheerleading organizations. For example, former A-List Girls Jenny, Jacqueline, Lauren and Michelle made the jump to the big leagues: Jacqueline and Lauren with the Clippers Spirit, Michelle with the Laker Girls and, of course, Jenny with the Charger Girls. And current A-List Girls Amy, Megan and Monique recently made the 2009 ChivaGirls squad. This is not surprising considering A-List Girls Director Jodi Adamo was a former Clipper Spirit dancer and Laker Girl in the early 90’s. She knows what it takes to perform at the highest levels of professional cheerleading, so I am guessing that being one of her A-List Girls is excellent training for those who aspire to the major leagues of cheerleading.

One of the first things I realized when I got settled in the arena was the number of families with young kids that were in attendance. The Anaheim Arsenal creates a very family friendly environment with reasonable ticket prices and accessible players and cheerleaders, a rather stark contrast from the more impersonal NBA. You get a sense that the staff of the Arsenal makes it priority to reach out to all the fans. All in all, I think an Anaheim Arsenal game is an excellent value for the entertainment dollar. And the cheerleading is first rate.Editor’s note: Yes, I know they are dancers! But enough chit chat. Let’s get on with the photos. Now, I must say I was a little dismayed when I saw the A-List Girls come out wearing warm ups for the national anthem. I’m a red blooded American male and when I think of professional cheerleaders, I think of hot girls in sexy outfits, not warm ups. I quickly realized that the warm ups were a simple but effective prop incorporated into a hot dance routine. Here’s a few photos of Jen, Victoria, Elyce and Aisha working their warm ups.

However, I was not to be disappointed because at the end of the first quarter, the A-List Girls changed into more conventional attire. Did I mention that these girls are hot? Yes, sizzling hot! And they are all great dancers, as you can see from these photos.

Here’s Elyce, who hails from Brea, California and aspires to be a nurse.

Victoria and I have something in common. She’s from Pasadena, a city that I used to call home for 10 years. Another thing we have in common is dancing…she’s great at dancing and I’m great at watching dancing.

Villa Park’s Lindsay K. aspires to become a real estate professional and a buyer for a clothing company.

Statuesque Rhea calls Yorba Linda her hometown and she is also an OC Flyers Victory Girl. The OC Flyers are a professional baseball team owned, in part, by James Denton of Desperate Housewives fame.

Megan, another Yorba Linda native, is one of three A-List Girls who recently made the 2009 ChivaGirls. She’s really nice and very approachable…I’m not saying you should do so, but that’s the great thing about the A-List Girls. You can walk up to them at the game and get an autograph or pose with them for a photograph. That’s unique in professional sports, that level of accessibility. But, let’s get back to Megan.

Interesting fact about Aisha…she’s a football player who aspires to be a top choreographer. Here’s Aisha in her finishing pose from the second quarter dance performance.

Now I must admit that I was taken a little bit with Teri. You see, Teri has these beautiful eyes and a great smile. And she is very, very photogenic and that’s a rare quality, indeed.

Now, I haven’t forgotten about Jen. I just don’t have a photo of her in this particular outfit. But, that’s okay because I have a few photos of her in the A-List Girls third uniform of the day. That’s the one thing about basketball versus football…many uniform changes. Here are a few photos of Jen in the A-List Girls second half outfits.

Jen hails from beautiful Del Mar, California which is a suburb of San Diego. Now I was told that Jen is going to be trying out for the San Diego Charger Girls in a few weeks and I wanted to wish her well…you see, that’s my normal gig, covering the Charger Girls. So, maybe we’ll see each other next fall.

And speaking of football, here’s another shot of Lindsay K. doing her best Heisman pose.

And one of her hollering to the fans…just kidding. It just looks like that. I kid. I kid. Anyway, Lindsay is very photogenic and it was a very interesting look, so I took the shot…it’s what I do.

And speaking of hot looks, here’s three sizzling photographs of Teri.

Another A-List Girl that was rather striking on the court…Aisha.

And here are a couple photos of Elyce and Megan dancing during the promotional break in the fourth quarter.

Speaking of fan friendly promotions, the Anaheim Arsenal passed out Thundersticks in the second half to the fans in attendance…mainly kids, who went crazy with these things. Here’s a photo of Teri banging her Thundersticks together.

Because of a number of in-game promotions and a special performance by a local dance company, the A-List Girls didn’t perform a dance routine in the second half. But, Jodi let me know that I could take photographs of the girls throughout the game to get the shots for the blog. So, I took the opportunity during the lulls in the action to take a few posed photos of the A-List Girls.

After the game, the A-List Girls signed mini posters for the fans in attendance. That’s the thing about going to an Anaheim Arsenal game. You can meet the players and cheerleaders up close, something you rarely get to do at an NBA, MLB or NFL game.

So, in closing I had a great time in shooting my first NBA D-League game. The Anaheim Arsenals put on a great show and the A-List Girls are worth the price of admission alone. They are truly a top notch squad with some great looking dancers, some of whom you might see gracing the sidelines of an NFL game or courtside at an NBA game in the future./My thanks go out to Danny Peterson, Director of Media and Community Relations for the media credential. And a special thanks to Jodi Adamo, A-List Girls Director for providing me with the access and availability to photograph the squad. It was a very enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon.