Buccaneer Cheerleaders at Thursday’s Draft Party. Cassie, Micah and Kasey.
More photos are here:
Have you noticed yet that the UltimateCheerleaders staff loves to post MDC photo articles? We love our Dolphins. Here’s my contribution from my visit to South Florida.
Last Saturday’s activity icluded preliminary round tryouts in the AM and then surviving candidates were invited back in the PM for the semi-finals. The cut down resulted in a group of 67 contestants being picked to join in to compete with the returning 25 veterans. All approximate 40 spots are open competition via mano a mano over the next two weeks of interviews and clinics. Finals, open to the public, are Saturday April 27 at Sun Life Stadium Fan Fest.
Besides the obvious requirements of glamorous appearance, well proportioned, physically fit, energetic personality and dance technique, the time commitment to be a NFL Cheerleader is also extremely demanding. The pyramid of success gets very tight as the audition process moves forward and to make an elite squad such as the MDC the successful candidates must offer a strong “A Game and Bring It” under the bright lights pressure.
I have heard the NFL Cheerleader audition process be described as 50% dance, 50% cheer, and 50% beauty pageant. That’s right—–to make a prestigious squad like the MDC you have to reach above 100%. Good luck to all the candidates I met on Saturday. Fans can vote for their favorites on the Dolphins website. Enjoy the photos.
Current squad members (Lauren, Brianne and Lily) performed for the 1st year candidates.
Support staff beauties.
Stretching is a prerequisite
Smile smile smile.
Out on an island before the judges table.
The buddy system for support.
Eager to perform.
Candidate Julianne previously cheered for the Buccaneers.
[MiamiDolphinsCheerleaders.net]
Saturday at Sun Life Stadium – At the MDC auditions current squad members performed for the 1st year candidates.
The Playoff light remains lit but it’s a very dim flame right now. Here’s hoping we’ll get a few extra postseason games for the Lightning Girls. Check back next week for the unveiling of which girls will be moving across town to cheer in the NFL. (Hint: they are pretty and talented). We added a batch of photos to our album, enjoy.
Captain Crystal, Alexis, Courtney, Meagan and Marissa.
Crystal and Kori.
Heather, Kori, Lindsey, Lizzie and Brianna.
Lindsey, Meagan and Lizzie.
Saundra and Alexis.
Brianna and Lindsey.
Marissa.
Alexis and Allison.
I attended opening day this week of the Rays game with the Orioles. Action pack contest with a couple of lead changes before Baltimore put the win away late. Took a few photos of the Ray Team, the interactive energetic entertainment squad, as they bounced all around Tropicana Field cheering and dancing with the fans. Opening day is always electric–fun day to be at the ballpark. Enjoy the photos:
Pre-game pose
Greeting fans in the parking lot.
Enthusiastically throwing souvenirs to the fans.
Another pre-game pose.
Sold out crowds are becoming the norm at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. It could be because of the exciting winning hockey but I also think that the Lightning Girls are drawing more fannies to the seats. The NHL is a must see in person, television doesn’t do it justice and the Lightning organization knows how to enhance the fan and family experience with ticket specials, plaza entertainment and happy hour pricing before the puck drops. The third floor outdoor deck offers great panoramic views of the Tampa skyline and stays open for post-game TV and Radio shows. Come on down to the Forum, the hockey is being played at a playoff type fever—catch it while you can.
In concert with the Lightning’s 20th season anniversary theme here’s a few tidbits regarding the origin of the Lightning Girls. The LG’s were first seen on the sidelines in 1993 but after one short season did not resurface until 2002. In the beginning they were designated as “Ice Girls” helping Mr. Zamboni clean the skating surface during breaks. Over the years they left the ice to engage more with the spectators in the stands and suites and perform more dance routines. They now represent the Lightning as ambassadors in the Tampa Bay area and make a multitude of community appearances during the season. Many alumni have moved over to continue their cheerleading career with the NFL Bucs or AFL Storm. Enjoy the photos.
Crystal is captain in her fourth year. Kori is a rookie.
Brianna and the Lightning Vision Statement greeting fans at the entrance.
Alexis, Meagan, Lizzie, Courtney and Brianna.
Rookie Saundra and 3rd year Heather with Cap’t Crystal.
Allison is in her first year.
Kori, Lindsey, Allison, Saundra, Lizzie, Heather and Marissa on the outdoor deck between periods.
Lindsey (squared) 5th year and 1st year respectively
Lizzie, Allison and Courtney.
[Lightning Girls Official Webpage]
Ms. Essence Flowers is a up and coming couture fashion designer born in Florida and now practicing her art out of Tampa. Essence is a graduate of the prestigious Tampa International Academy of Design and Technology and has been a featured designer in the annual Fashion Week Tampa Bay Showcase. Her designs have been reviewed as “remarkable, elegant and artistic”. In addition to runway fashion, Essence has also been the primary designer for the Buccaneer Cheerleader’s iconic uniform and their beautiful calendar swimsuits. You can also catch the Miami Dolphin cheerleaders posing in swimsuits designed by Essence on their “Call Me Maybe” parody. The Baltimore Ravens swimsuit calendar also includes creations by Essence.
Essence’s Swimwear Design company has just published its first swimsuit calendar in 2013 and for those of you who follow my TBBC coverage you should recognize some of Tampa’s sexiest models right off the NFL sideline. The sold out launch party was recently held at the Blue Martini Lounge in the International Plaza Mall of Tampa. Between the impressive innovative creative designs of Essence and the seemingly endless supply of gorgeous NFL models the future is swimwear bright. Essence is also in the final stages of consummating an agreement to display her swimwear line in a local retail establishment.
Essence is a extremely confident avant-garde who lists her motto as “fashion designer by occupation, fashionista at heart”. If any other NFL teams are reading this, give her a call, Cathy Boyd and the entire Buccaneer organization love her work.
The models are all in consensus when they rave: “Essence’s swim suits are simply amazingly unique and she has a great knack for choosing the most flattering design and color for each of us”. Essence customizes each suit separately after meeting one-on-one with each cheerleader.
All photos courtesy of: Jaime Morton Hawley Photography.
Hockey is back. The Tampa Bay Lightning Girls were out this past Sunday to welcome fans back for the 2013 abbreviated season which will start this coming Saturday at home versus the Washington Capitals. Hooray!!
Marissa, Alexis and Heather
Saundra and Alexis
Lizzie, Allison and Heather
Auditions for the 2013 Tampa Bay Storm Cheer leaders will be held Sunday, January 13 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on the Club Level.
Registration will be from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Sunday, January 13. Auditions are closed to the public. All participants should park in the VIP East parking lot and enter the Times Forum at the Suite Entrance located on the West Plaza.
Day of Auditions – Participants should wear form fitting, two piece dance outfits and comfortable shoes. No Jazz pants or baggy pants will be allowed. Dance briefs or boy shorts should be worn with skin tone pantyhose. It is suggested that participants bring make-up/hair products, a towel bottle of water and a snack.
After introductions and warm-ups participants will learn across the floor combinations; including basic kicks and turns and a few short, repeating sideline dance routines. Participants will perform in small groups and then first cuts will be made.
The second round will consist of a jazz or hip-hop routine that will be taught to the remaining candidates. Then a short break will be given to ask questions and rehearse with the music after the routine is taught. The room will then be cleared and participants will perform the routine before a panel of judges two at a time.
Finalists will then be announced. Those candidates will then have a short meeting and interviews. Once the interviews are done participants are free to leave. The 2013 Tampa Bay Storm Cheerleaders will be announced on the team website after 3:00 PM on Monday, January 21. There will be a mandatory meeting for all 2013 Storm Cheerleaders later that week. Practice and workouts will immediately begin on weekday evenings.
Requirements to Register:
· Must be 18 years of age or older and have a high school diploma or equivalent
· Bring photo identification
· Recent photo 4×6 or larger (will not be returned)
· Dance resume (simple typed history of experience if applicable)
· $20 fee – cash or money order
· Completed medical liability release
· Completed 2013 cheerleader application
For more information please call 813.230.2416 or e-mail storm_dancers@verizon.net.
Second year in a row that the Buccaneers fall into a late season collapse Five straight losses. Different players, new coaches but same result. Mysterious? But, alas, we’re here to present the attractive and talented members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneer Cheerleaders.
Lovely second year veteran Cassie was highlighted as “Cheerleader of the Game”. Graduation from the University of Florida has prepared Cassie to be a Director of Marketing and Communications for a local Ford dealership in Tampa. Cassie’s favorite charity is Children’s Miracle Network and being a typical Florida girl, Cassie’s hobbies include scuba diving, hunting, fishing and outdoor activities.
Five year veteran Lauren Spiers was selected to be the Buccaneer Pro Bowl representative. I was first introduced to Lauren via the 2006 NFL Network video “Making the Squad” a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the TBBC. Lauren’s 2 year old cute daughter actually stole center stage on that documentary. As a line captain this year Lauren has led her team in charity work for Tampa’s “Home Children’s Home”.
Tricia
Geneva
Manouchcar
Rebecca
Elisa
Captains: Kara, Paige, Lauren, Ashlee
Jacqueline
Enjoy the photos of the girls in their Christmas outfits. Happy New Year to everyone.
