Bucs Celebrate 10th Year Anniversary of Super Bowl Victory

On last Sunday the Buccaneer organization honored members of the Super Bowl Championship team of 2002. The 10 year reunion ceremony was held at halftime of the Bucs 21-23 gut wrenching loss to Philadelphia. In 2002 the Bucs had to beat a fine Eagles team in the NFC championship to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl clash with the Oakland Raiders. At the time the Bucs were a big underdog in Philly and the victory was viewed as a major hurdle toward their championship success.

Although the players were in the limelight this week I thought it would be fitting to track down and chat with a few of the cheerleaders from that 2002 squad. Kimberly Kolinski, Tammy Denbo and Cathy Boyd were best buddies as members of the TBBC in the Super Bowl season and they still remain involved with the Bucs cheerleaders today. Catherine is in her 3rd season as manager of the current squad and both Kimberly and Tammy serve as volunteer coordinators on game day. Cathy cheered 6 seasons for the Buccaneers and in 2002 she hit the grand salami of NFL cheerleading by being a line captain, Super Bowl Winner and a Pro Bowl selection representing the Bucs in Hawaii.

Kimberly and Tammy displaying their SB XXXVII rings

Kimberly (TBBC 1999-2004) was a former co-host on NBC‘s Buccaneer pre-game show. Kimberly tells me “on June 14, 2003 we had the honor of attending the private team ceremony where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Super Bowl Championship rings were unveiled. I remember looking around the room filled with players, coaches, cheerleaders, and so many familiar faces within the Buccaneers family and there was pure joy and excitement in the eyes of everyone who shared in the season that united us forever. It was a night that proved dreams really do come true – a Super Bowl ring! At this red carpet affair we watched on a large movie screen a behind the scenes video as to how the rings were designed and produced by the renowned Tiffany & Co. Waiters arrived at our tables with the Tiffany blue box individually wrapped and after a moment of silence due to complete awe the room turned into an explosion of fun filled photos. I paused for a moment and looked around, just as I had when I stood on the field and realized we had just won the Super Bowl. I made a promise to myself to never forget the history that was taking place before my very eyes. My 25th birthday happened to fall on the day we won the Super Bowl, so when I looked down at my hand I realized that my birth date will forever be engraved on my Super Bowl ring. Just when you think it can’t be more magical….”

Tammy (TBBC 2001-2004), a successful attorney and humanitarian in Tampa, shared her most exciting remembrance of the 2002 season “ prior to opening day, the TBBC Talent Troupe was invited to participate in a 3 week military tour with Armed Forces Entertainment. With it being only months after 9/11, many American troops were stationed abroad. We were given the blessing of raising their spirits by bringing them some American cheer. From Uzbekistan, to Turkey, to Egypt, we performed for troops, but more importantly, we spent time with them and reminded them of all they were fighting for. On behalf of all Americans back home, we showed them how much we appreciate their sacrifices that allow us to enjoy things like the entertainment of NFL Football. Catherine, Kimberly and I were honored to experience this tour together. It created a bond that will never be severed – look at us today….we are still on the sidelines together cheering on our favorite team – THE BUCS!!!!”

Current squad members also spoke excitingly about SBXXXVII. Taylor was in 6th grade when the Bucs won the Super Bowl. “We had a HUGE Super Bowl party at our house and I remember decorating the house with every Bucs accessory you could think of – Bucs chip plates, plastic cups, red and black garland hung around the T.V. We were decked out in flashing red necklace lights hanging from our necks…yup I said it. It was a very loud and successful Super Bowl party. I will never forget– Mom even cried for a good 20 minutes after WE won”.

Current captain Lauren remembers “seeing the 2002 cheerleaders at the end of the game, with confetti everywhere, smiling, and dancing. I had already made the decision to audition for the upcoming season, but seeing them on TV and how beautiful and happy they were really sealed the deal for me”. Lauren is now finishing up her 5th and final year before heading into NFL cheerleader retirement.

Second year cheerleader Cassie was in high school when the Bucs won their Super Bowl: “I remember being so excited to watch the halftime show on T.V. Shania Twain, No Doubt, and Sting put on a great performance, but nothing compared to the performance by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders. I was searching for them the entire game!”

Antasia, a rookie this year, was only 10 years old in 2002. “I remember my family was having a Super Bowl party at my aunts and I was listening to them yell and jump around every time the Bucs made a touchdown! I remember the Bucs was dominating the whole game because of our defense. I also remember watching the halftime show with my grandma and we were dancing together because Shania Twain is her favorite performer”.

Karen was 15 watching SBXXXVII with her family. “My dad and I were especially excited since we’ve both been huge Bucs fans since the creamsicle orange. My favorite parts of the game were the two interceptions by Brooks and Smith toward the end. They both sealed the deal and showed why we were the number one defense in the NFL”.

As a side note to chatting with Tammy I want to mention the fine work she does with “People for Haiti”. This non profit is made up of volunteers (including Cathy) who travel to Haiti frequently throughout the year providing medical mission care and delivering much needed supplies to the earthquake victims.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t give out well deserved kudos’ to little 10 year old Christian Bottger, Captain Fear and the Buccaneer Cheerleaders for going Big Time on their appearance on the Today Show in NYC. “Gangnam Style” works

Jessie, Christian, Kari, Katie, Lauren, Kasey, Paige and Jeanne

 

Line Captain Ashlee was highlighted as Cheerleader of the Game

Cassie

Taylor

Rookie Emily

Rookie Antasia

Lauren’s Line: Jeanne, Amanda, Karen, Katie, Lauren, Miwa and Jacqueline

[Bucs Cheerleader Gallery]

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders]

The Lightning Girls at the Tampa Heart Walk

Media analysts say that labor arguments in professional sports are between billionaires and millionaires and therefore no losers. That’s a over simplification because the supporting cast members of arena workers, fans and cheerleaders can easily be left out in the cold (or heat as in Florida). Hopefully the NHL will soon come to its senses before the entire season is lost forever.The Lightning Girls are not sitting on the sidelines however as they have taken the opportunity to increase their community involvement during this 20th anniversary year of the Tampa franchise.

This past Saturday I caught up with eight members of the squad as they were out supporting the annual Tampa Heart Walk at Raymond James Stadium. Some 25 thousand participants came out with multiple sub teams from the Lightning Organization. This years’ chairman for the popular event is Lightning General Manager Steve Yzerman. The Lightning Girl’s are managed by Kelli Yeloushan, Director of Entertainment and the captain this season is 4th year veteran Crystal Romano, an attractive articulate kindergarten teacher (and model) from Tampa.

I asked Mr Yzerman about the value of the Lightning Girls to the organization and his praise was glowing: “They have done a really nice job of engaging with our fans and guests at the many functions we’ve hosted and attended over the last three months. They represent the organization proudly with class and character…and we’re thankful for their efforts.”

I asked Crystal if her dancing bones were getting stiff from waiting for the season’s start and she said “absolutely not, just the contrary, we are out and about more as we acknowledge the Lightning’s 20th Anniversary”. Kelli tells me “the veterans have helped allay the rookies anxiety about the lockout and to just have fun. We have a very dedicated group of girls, who really enjoy their time with fans and being out in the community.”

Every negative presents positive opportunities and per Kelli the canceled games has allowed the squad to “make more community appearances and get involved in our outreach programs then they normally would be able to at this time of year. Their value as ambassadors cannot be understated.”

Here’s hoping a resolution is close at hand—for this fan it will be a boring winter without hockey and the Tampa Bay Lightning Girls performing. Enjoy the photos and remember to exercise your heart.

Team Captain Crystal

Megan, Alexis, Marissa, Lizzie

Crystal R., Kori, Allison, Lindsey

Group Photo

Lightning Girls with Thunder Bug

On Center Stage

Rookies Alexis and Allison

Race Start with GM Steve Yzerman

[Lightning Girl Gallery]

[Tampa Bay Lightning Girls]

Tampa Bay Buccaneer Cheerleaders Honor Our Military

The TBBC were decked out in military outfits in honor of Veterans Day:

Darla Faye was highlighted as the “Cheerleader of the Game”.

Kendell studied dance in NYC with the American Ballet Theatre.

Rookie Katie is a student at USF and a performer at Busch Gardens.

Antasia ran track successfully in high school.

Smiling Amber is from the University of Tampa.

Rookie Stephanie’s full time occupation is: Mother.

Manouchcar, Elisa, Kendell, Emily and line captain Kara.

Salute to the Military.

[Bucs Cheerleaders Veterans Day Gallery]

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders]

More Swash-Buc-Lers

Additional photos from the Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s throwback game versus the New Orleans Saints. Enjoy.

Second-year vet Jessica J. is teaching high school social studies in Tampa.

No one wants to visit the ER but if your RN is Rebecca I’m sure you will squeeze out a smile.

Jeanne is enjoying her rookie season.

Elisa loves riding horses in her spare time.

Kasey, a former Tampa Hard Rock calendar girl, poses with line captain Ashlee.

Rookie Tricia had a childhood ambition to be a Buccaneer Cheerleader.

Line captain Lauren leads her teammates.

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders]

[My Cheerleader Galleries]

 

Tampa Swashbuclers

Enjoy the photos as the TBBC showcase the very popular throwback outfits. Bucco Bruce returns.


Karen was highlighted as “Cheerleader of the Game”.


Jessie is a Busch Gardens performer from the home of the Weeki Wachee Mermaids.


Julianne is a student at USF studying Health Management and also coaches HS Color Guard.


Katrice is a Busch Gardens Performer specializing in the art of Belly Dancing.


Check out Taylor’s Blog at: taylorstampabay.com


Norie is in her second year from Tokyo, Japan.


Swashbucler’s “Gangnam Style” Dancers.

[Swash-Buc-Lers Throwback Gallery]

[Buccaneers Cheerleaders Website]