By Gary Glenn
Titans Online
The Tennessee Titans don’t have to look very far to honor their very own during the NFL’s “Salute to Service” Military Appreciation Month.
Titans cheerleader, Stormi, and her husband, CW2 Kyle Wagley, are stationed at Fort Campbell, where Kyle recently returned from a nine-month tour of duty in Afghanistan. Wagley is a warrant officer at the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division, flying an AH-64D Apache helicopter.
Stormi, a third-year Titans cheerleader, has been a strong supporter of her husband’s military efforts. She recently joined other Titans cheerleaders on the base to support the Family Readiness Group of the 1-101st Combat Aviation Brigade, serving lunch to the single soldiers so they could have a home-cooked meal.
During her first year on the squad, Stormi joined five other Titans Cheerleaders on a USO tour in Kuwait. The six ladies visited Camp Arifjan, Camp Virginia, Camp Buehring, Camp Morrell, Ali Al Salem Air Base (The Rock) and Camp Patriot. On each stop, the cheerleaders treated the troops to a one-hour variety show performance, which involved singing, dancing and interactive skits.
“Being able to bring a smile to the troops and let them know that we as Americans support them was the highlight for me,” Stormi said. “Nothing can replace the feeling of comfort by being home, but we can sure try. If I had the opportunity to go again, my bags would be packed yesterday.”
Stormi began volunteering with the USO, which helps connect soldiers to their families, four years ago. She said she likes what the USO represents.
“There were times when Kyle was deployed and the only place he could call me or email me from was the USO,” she said. “The USO at Fort Campbell has only been open for a short amount of time in comparison to other locations. They provide free lunch for soldiers one day a week, a place to hang out with friends, shoot pool, play video games, watch TV, and even surf the web. It gives them a sense of home, and that is priceless.”
Stormi said there is nothing more important to her than supporting her husband and the U.S. Military.
“While some support our great country by fighting on the front lines like my husband, I support our country by supporting him,” she said. “It means a lot to me to know that I chose to marry a man who is willing to fight for what they believe in, and for that I will always stand next to him.”
[Stormi at the Titans Website]
The Charlotte Lady Cats Swimsuit Fashion Show to launch their Calendar was a big hit. Photos at the link below.
Tiffany and Krista of the New York Jets Flight Crew show off the “Cheer Heart” last Sunday at MetLife Stadium
Previously the Cheer Heart at AllPro3.
By Ann Hardie
For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Falcons may be challenged in the “WIN” column, but the “WOW” women still have plenty to cheer about. That’s because the “WOW” women, as they call themselves, are the three dozen cheerleaders who get behind the Dirty Birds, in good times and in bad. Yes, these women are spectacular in looks and dance moves. But they also work or go to school. Take Dana Luker, who has been cheering since elementary school. The Georgia native is a certified public accountant with a masters degree who audits financial statements of private businesses. After the numbers geek clocks out, the Falcons’ biggest fan clocks in. And if you think she’s cheering for the money, you’d be wrong.
Q: Did you grow up following the Falcons?
A: My mom did, but my family really loved college football. Both of my parents went to the University of Georgia. I went to UGA. Living in Atlanta, we did keep up with the Falcons, too.
Q: Did you cheer at UGA?
A: I did. I tried out my freshman year and made the team and cheered all four years. I helped coach the team when I was in grad school there.
Q: Why did you try out for the Falcons?
A: I started my real job and didn’t have a lot going on after work, so I started dancing in my free time. And I absolutely love football, so becoming a Falcons cheerleader sounded like the best of both worlds.
Q: Why are you called “WOW” women?
A: During auditions, our coach looks for the full package. The Falcons require us to have a fulltime job or be a fulltime student. We all have different roles we play on the team. Some are great dancers. Some are great leaders. And some are great in the community.
Q: What are you?
A: I think I am dependable. I am never going to show up for practice unprepared.
Q: Do cheerleaders get paid?
A: We get a small stipend per game. We only dance at the home games. And if we make it to the Super Bowl.
Q: How has it been, going pro?
A: It’s been a blast. I have made friends I’m going to keep the rest of my life. My teammates provide an awesome support system for each other through good times and bad.
Q: Is the cheering different from college?
A: Very different. In college, you typically see girls tumbling and being thrown in the air. It is more dance when you get to the professional level. I had a lot to learn.
Q: How much time does it entail?
A: We practice two nights a week for two and a half hours. We are required to do a set number of community appearances, anything from participating in breast cancer walks to reading to kids at school to making visits to patients in hospitals. We have some really cool opportunities that come up. This year, some of us got to go to France and that was a trip we won’t forget.
Q: What do cheerleaders add to the sport?
A: We help create excitement for the fans. We are something else to watch between plays in the game. We are up at Falcons Landing before the game starts, signing autographs. We just add another element of fun.
Q: Are the people you work with in your real job surprised to learn that you are a Falcons cheerleader?
A: People seem to be surprised in general that cheerleading is not our full time job.
Q: Your bio says your favorite player is Roddy White. How come?
A: I think I’ve changed my mind since then. He’s been hurt a good bit this season, so now I would say it is Matt Ryan. He is consistent and calm and composed in pretty much every situation.
Q: It is harder to cheer when your team is having such a crummy run?
A: You always want to see your team come out on top, but that is not the only reason we are here. We truly love what we do.
Lana of the Gotham City Cheerleaders outside MetLife Stadium on Sunday
Ryann of the New York Jets Flight Crew at last Sunday’s game
When she’s not on the field cheering on the Seahawks, Sea Gal Kelly Charlton is helping a little girl reach her full potential.
The San Antonio Silver Dancers were transformed into Zombies for the Spurs home opener last week. Plenty of photos and video and the link.
Auditions for the 2014 Philadelphia Soulmates started at Dave & Buster’s at the Plymouth Meeting Mall this past Saturday.
It was also a bittersweet day, as this was the last time the 2013 Soulmates would be together.
Hopeful Diane
Soulmate Captains Christina and Wendy
Hopeful Nicolette
Bootcamp is this week, Interviews next week and then it all comes down to the Finals on November 19th at Parx Casino.
Congratulations to 5-year veteran Pam of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders who was announced as the 2014 Pro Bowl Cheerleader at the MVC Holiday Show on Monday. Pam is a three-year Captain with the Vikings Cheerleaders. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Major in Advertising with a Minor in Psychology from the University of St. Thomas.
