By Eli Sherman
Wicked Local Waltham
When New England Patriots cheerleader director Tracy Sormanti strolled into Sondra Celli’s Waltham design shop in April, she thought she had walked into a “princess factory” and was determined not to leave until Celli agreed to create the 2013-14 uniforms for the Patriot cheerleaders.
Last Thursday the cheerleaders, joined by Celli, unveiled this year’s uniforms along with the 2014 Swimsuit Calendar at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill at Patriot Place. Celli, who has worked in the fashion industry for about 30 years, used more than 10,000 genuine Swarovski stones imported from Austria to “bling” out the navy-colored uniforms. Almost 600 crystals were used to create each Patriot logo on the uniforms and every crystal was applied by hand – one stone at a time.
“This is the first time I’ve done an NFL team’s uniforms,” Celli said. “So, I used waterproof glue, I used over 100,000 rhinestones in all of them combined. There are 25 girls and my employees worked around the clock to get them out.”
Celli, who works out of the historic Francis Cabot Lowell Mill building in Waltham, is no stranger to this type of design, as she has created sparkling custom pieces that have been featured in TLC’s “Bling It On” and she is currently working on the third season of the hit series “My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding.”
Celli said that when she met Sormanti and was pitched the idea of creating the cheerleaders’ uniforms, the two clicked immediately.
“We were a team right away and it was awesome,” Celli said.
Sormanti said that since she became the cheerleaders’ director, she has seen about 10 variations of the uniform, but none have been exactly the correct style. Sormanti said many of the previous variations did not stand apart from other teams’ cheerleaders.
“It really is so much more team identifiable,” Sormanti said of the new design. “I couldn’t ask for anything better. The cheerleaders feel comfortable and confident and it dances well.”
Celli also surprised the cheerleaders by delivering the uniforms in custom-made New England Patriot garment bags for each member on the squad. Fourth-year cheerleader Alyssa Caddle said she thought the uniforms were beautiful and probably one of the best in the past 20 years.
“I think they are going to look gorgeous, I can’t wait to see some photos from the sidelines,” Caddle said. “We really feel like they represent the Patriots while still being very feminine and beautiful.”
The Thursday unveiling party also included the launch of the 2014 Patriots Cheerleaders Swimsuit Calendar. St. Lucia was this year’s destination for the cheerleaders’ annual calendar shoot trip. Celli joined the squad and ended up also creating the swimsuit for the month of November. The theme was Veterans Day and Celli said she jumped at the opportunity.
“I’m super hooked to the veterans. I just believe that if these people can do this for us, the least we can do is anything for them,” Celli said. “We just happened to have a Patriots cheerleader who had her dad’s dog tags and said she would wear them so we chose her to do the photo.”
Photographer Justin Hammond, in his second year of working with the Patriot cheerleaders, took all the photos for this year’s calendar and said November’s shot really stuck out because it was one of the few shots where he created the set.
“I already knew that this was going to be the bikini that had the theme of camouflage and military,” Hammond said. “The whole point of that shoot was to give it a military scene. … The rest of them we scouted locations and things, but this one I had planned in my head.”
Celli, who has made uniforms for the likes of wrestlers, swim teams, Irish dance teams and ballroom dancers, said that now that the cheerleaders’ uniforms were done, she would continue her work with “My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding,” which takes up a lot of time. Sormanti said she could not wait for the Patriot fans to see the uniforms under the stadium lights.
“It just captures your attention and it really flatters the cheerleaders because it’s so feminine,” Sormanti said. “It is glamorous and it just screams NFL.”
After a week of tryouts and boot camp sessions at Gold’s Gym Elite EpiCentre, the Checkers have chosen 17 members for the 2013-14 CheckMates team.
The CheckMates are a vital part of the Checkers’ community outreach programs and game experience and are a diverse group that includes college students, teachers and other working professionals. Keep an eye for the team throughout the Charlotte community and at Time Warner Cable Arena all season long.
See photos of the new team here.
By Paul Gable
ShelbyNews.com
As a former Indianapolis Colts Cheerleader, a ZUMBA ® Fitness instructor and a clinical nurse manager at IU Health Physicians, Julie Ruschhaupt understands the importance of living healthy.
The 1985 Shelbyville High School graduate, who cheered for the Colts during the 1998-99 season, said she has seen first-hand the ill effects of bad health as a registered nurse with clinical experience in cardiovascular health.
“I have seen how devastating a lack of exercise, poor health habits leading to coronary artery disease can be over the years. I am a champion that spreads the message about self-care and fitness for women, especially as we age,” Ruschhaupt said.
Ruschhaupt said growing up, she didn’t have the greatest of role models for a healthy lifestyle, but she knew what she had to do.
“It is a confidence builder to be active, and children sleep better after being active. I believe in balanced nutrition and eating regularly,” she said.
With a daughter of her own, Ruschhaupt tries to be a role model not just for her, but for her daughter’s friends.
“My goal is to continue to motivate the women and girls within our community and to inspire them to shoot for the stars in whatever they choose to do,” Ruschhaupt said.
For the last six years, Ruschhaupt has owned ZUMBA ® Fitness With Jules and is a partner of Girls Inc., where 25 percent of her Zumba class proceeds are given directly back to the club.
“I see a lot of girls who don’t have good role models. Girls Inc. preaches a great message, and I allow moms to bring daughters to class. It is important for them to be a part,” Ruschhaupt said.
On Tuesday and Thursday, Ruschhaupt will be doing her anniversary free classes to help promote a healthy lifestyle.
“The message Girls Inc. sends to girls is invaluable, and we have a great relationship,” Ruschhaupt said.
However, before then, Ruschhaupt will step foot on the football field one more time, joining other Colts cheerleaders during halftime of today’s preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. Ruschhaupt will be one of 160 women who has cheered for the team over the last 30 years.
“I am excited. I participated 10 years ago for the 20th Anniversary. At the time I made the squad for the Colts, I was the oldest gal in the group and by then, I had already been teaching group fitness classes for eight years. Age had nothing to do with it and my hard work at that time paid off. At age 46, I feel I am in the best shape of my life.
“The big thing about Saturday is we will have 30 years of women, and it will be fun. I think we feel sexier and more confident than we did when we were younger. It will be a great experience,” Ruschhaupt said.
By Jack Harbour
GoldCoast.com.au
Ben Rigney surprises his long-time girlfriend Gold Coast Titan cheerleader Hayley Moulds by proposing to her in front of 15,000 people at the Titans home game on Saturday night at Skilled Park
Gold Coast Titans cheerleader Hayley Moulds had a feeling her long-time boyfriend Ben Rigney was preparing to propose soon.
She just didn’t think it would be while she was at work.
It was the feel-good moment at Skilled Park at the weekend as Ms Moulds, a member of the Gold Coast Titans cheerleading squad, was stunned by Mr Rigney, who crept on to the field and popped the question in front of 15,786 people.
Ms Moulds, 23, said she had no idea about her partner’s elaborate plan, which he had spent months preparing.
“I didn’t think it would be so public,” she said.
“He told me he had something special planned. We were still in the middle of our (dance) routine.”
Mr Rigney, 24, said his girlfriend’s initial response had him worried that she was going to say no.
“When I was just sort of thinking of memorable ways to tell her, I thought there was a bit of an opportunity there with her being a cheerleader for the Titans,” he said.
“She said yes obviously, so it worked.
“It’s still all a bit of a blur still at the moment.”
The carpenter said he had played for the Bilambil Jets reserves in their semi-final win earlier in the day before backing up to propose to Hayley.
“It was a pretty stressful day,” he said.
Ms Moulds said she met Mr Rigney while socialising with mutual friends and said that they were likely to get married some time in 2014.
The dental nurse and Griffith University nursing student said one location she envisaged her partner proposing was on a balloon, but said she thought it was unlikely since one of Mr Rigney’s friends recently proposed the same way.
“I always thought it would be on a hot air balloon,” she said.
However, Ms Moulds said what made her husband-to-be’s proposal so special was that her family and friends were there to witness the occasion.
Hayley
[Gold Coast Titans Cheerleaders]
2012 Philadelphia Wings Angels
Auditions for the 2014 Angels Dance Team will be held on Wednesday, September 25th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center.
We are looking for confident, experienced, and motivated dancers. If this is you, come and try-out for the Angels, the dance team for Philadelphia’s premier professional lacrosse team, The Wings. Applicants must wear two piece dance wear and dance shoes to the audition.
Please bring a completed application (found below) and $30 cash or check to the audition.
Even more photos of the calendar release and uniform unveil are 
here. And the Patriots website is now updated with the new uniforms as well.
Lauren Gardner grew up in the great sports town of Denver, Colorado where she was a fan of her home teams from a very young age. Growing up an athlete, Gardner developed a strong sense of competition and leadership. She was the captain of the softball and cheer team and first team all conference and all region in softball. This only furthered her passion for sports and she knew she wanted to turn that passion into a career.
Lauren attended the University of Colorado where she majored in Political Science. During her college career she interned with Denver’s Mile High Sports Magazine and FSN Rocky Mountain where she learned the different sides of the industry. During which time, Gardner took to the sidelines as Denver Broncos cheerleader until the end of the 2008 season.
Gardner began her on air career as a host and personality with Kroenke Sports Enterprises and Altitude Sports and Entertainment. She also became a familiar face to Denver sports fans as the In Game Host for the Colorado Avalanche, Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies. She’s also been spotted on the sidelines covering college football, basketball and lacrosse on Fox College Sports, Fox Sports Rocky Mountain and The Mountain Sports Network. Lauren extended her role with the Broncos beyond the sidelines as the host of the 2009 Draft Special on Comcast as well as other Denver Broncos specials.
Her adventures have most recently led her to working for CBS Sports Network covering College football, UFL, Alt Games and was able to sit down with tennis legend, Martina Navratilova, as part CBS and ESPN’s, US Open coverage.
Outside of broadcasting, Lauren an aviation enthusiast and private pilot. She also enjoys volunteering abroad and hopes to one day own her own production company.
This is more of a Sasha thing, but I’ve noticed a few ladies who switched teams earlier this year, and thought I’d give them a little acknowledgment.
Philadelphia Wings Angel Kacey is now on the New York Jets Flight Crew
Baltimore Blast Cheerleader Kate is now a Gotham City Cheerleader
Miami Dolphins Cheerleader (and Miss Pennsylvania USA) LauRen is now a Charlotte Lady Cat
Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader Demi is now on a Minnesota Timberwolves Dancer
Baltimore Blast Cheerleader Jonique is now a Washington Wizards Girl
Philadelphia Soulmate Kristina is now a member of the Gotham City Cheerleaders Ref Squad
If you know someone else who switched teams, let us know.
2012 Argo Alumni, on the field, just after the performance
On October 24th, 100+ Alumni Cheerleaders of the CFL Toronto Argonauts Football Club will take the field for a spectacular halftime show! Rehearsals begin next month for this special performance.
Alongside members of the 2013 Argos Cheerleaders, and alongside the Argos Sunshine Girls squad (the cheerleaders from past years up to 1995), the recent Alumni (from 1996 through to 2012 seasons) are preparing a special routine for their portion of the show. Choreographer Rochelle Stultz is designing an exciting routine reflective of these team years on the squad. The recent Argos Alumni Cheerleaders are celebrating 3 years participating in this special performance, which is also done as part of the Argos’ ‘Pink’ game for Breast Cancer Awareness. It is a great showing of team spirit for a good cause.
The CFL Toronto Argonauts are the 100th Grey Cup Champions and the longest running professional football club in North America. The Argos Cheerleader Alumni were also involved in festivities last November, when Canada’s 100th Grey Cup was hosted right at home, in Toronto.
CFL and NFL Alumni Cheerleader, Elizabeth Morgan, will be sending us updates from the Alumni squad as they near Game Day.
