Think you have the bite to dance for a semi-pro football team?
The Venom Girls will be hosting a “Working Audition” on September 22, 2010. Interested applicants should e-mail Noreen Smith at venomgirlsdanceteam@gmail.com. Auditions will be held at Diesel Fitness in Dallas, Texas from 8:00-10:00pm. There will be a $15.00 application fee due at the time of the audition.
.Congrats to the Washington Capitols Red Rockers who won the 2010 Best DC Spirit Team at Tuesday night’s Sneaker Ball
Capitols Red Rockers and MLL Champion Chesapeake Hawkettes
Wizard Girls, Capitols Red Rockers, Chesapeake Hawkettes
SneakerBall is the only black tie and sneakers gala that annually celebrates the best of sports in the Greater Washington D.C. region. The event is organized to benefit the Greater Washington Sports Alliance Foundation, which is made up of six local charities and creates avenues for corporate philanthropy to enhance the region’s youth sports programs and facilities.
Just a reminder that Survivor: Nicaragua is airing on Wednesdays. Former Miami Dolphins Cheerleader Brenda Lowe begins her quest to out wit, out play, and out last her 15 opponents tonight at 8pm on CBS.
Dance team’s director says performer was energetic, inspiring
By Juan Ortega
Orlando Sentinel
Nancy Lopez-Ruiz, 22, a new Miami Heat dancer, was looking forward to a poster shoot with her team next week in South Florida.
The 2010-11 promotional poster would have been one of several appearances she made this year after auditioning in July and joining the elite group of 27 dancers.
On Tuesday, four days after Lopez-Ruiz died in a traffic crash, the director of the Miami Heat Dancers remembered the great vitality she demonstrated over the past two months of rehearsals.
“I can honestly say she was the hardest-working dancer on the team this year, and her teammates would agree,” said the director, Janine Thompson.
Click here to enter to win tickets to see the Eagles live at Amway Center on Oct. 7th
Lopez-Ruiz, who grew up in Bradenton and lived in Plantation, would have started performing for an audience of thousands next month when the NBA pre-season kicks off.
She often showed up early for practice and didn’t tire easily, Thompson said. Last Thursday was a good example.
“After working out before rehearsal, she still found the energy to dance full out, with full energy, the entire rehearsal,” Thompson said. “She will always be a part of our team, and we will never forget her.”
The crash happened at 9:38 p.m. Friday. Lopez-Ruiz was riding her motorcycle west in the right lane of East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale police said.
A 2009 Mercedes that also was heading west on Sunrise veered onto a median in the 700 block, drove back into a westbound lane and struck Lopez-Ruiz’s Suzuki GSX-R, police said. The collision threw her from the motorcycle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are investigating whether the Mercedes’ driver, Mario Careaga, 42, of Fort Lauderdale, was driving while impaired, according to Sgt. Frank Sousa, a department spokesman.
The police inquiry, which includes toxicology tests, may take six months to a year, Sousa said.
Careaga could not be reached Tuesday for comment despite phone calls to his workplace.
In recent days, hundreds of people have posted messages about Lopez-Ruiz’s death on the Miami Heat’s Facebook site.
“Her dream of being a Heat dancer just came true,” reads one entry, “and before she could really enjoy the job of her life, something tragic like that had to happen.”
Lopez-Ruiz’s family scheduled her visitation from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, at 5624 26th St. W. in Bradenton. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Friday in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 3100 26th St. W. in Bradenton.
Photos and video of the Jills at their home opener from the Buffalo Pro Cheer Blog here.
After a heart-stopping primetime win over the hated Cowboys, the sideline co-captain says it’s all about the new coach, the new QB… and golden pants.
By Steve Mazzucchi
Esquire
The phrases “Washington Redskins” and “offseason champions” do not look out of place sharing a sentence. Owner Dan Snyder’s penchant for acquiring big names for big money, only to see them underperform, goes back a decade by now. Naturally, critics licked their chops when the team followed a 4-12 season by trading for Donovan McNabb — all 33 years of him.
And yet, for one night anyway, that move looks smarter than, say, handing an $8 million signing bonus to Deion Sanders. Teaming with new coach Mike Shanahan and a serious defense, McNabb avoided mistakes, watched Deangelo Hall run back a fumble for a TD, and raised his arms when Tony Romo’s last-second scoring pass was negated for holding. Savoring the not-so-pretty 13-7 win was Redskins fifth-year cheerleader Chelsea, a lifelong fan who’s kept her family’s faith (“My dad’s dad was going to get rid of his season tickets, and then I made the team”). Also the co-host of local NBC show Inside the Redskins, she was happy to kick off Esquire.com’s season of Monday Morning Cheerleader with her thoughts on how Week One’s Sunday Night Football might be just the beginning…
ESQUIRE: Let’s get right to the play of the game: What were you thinking when Redskins cornerback Deangelo Hall scored at the very end of the half?
CHELSEA: Even before the game, when Portis, Cooley, and McNabb came out, the sheer volume of the stadium was insane. I’ve never heard it that loud. I was in the end zone for that play, and we couldn’t even hear ourselves cheering. Did you see his little forward roll? I need to teach him a back flip. Deangelo’s my co-host on Inside the Redskins — I’m sure he’ll be happy on Tuesday.
ESQ: And then one of the stranger endings to a game, with the apparent TD and then the penalty. How’d that rank as an emotional roller coaster?
C: The whole fourth quarter, I was just taking huge deep breaths and crossing my fingers. When Romo throws that ball, everyone drops to their knees, drops their pompoms thinking, “That did not just happen in the last three seconds.” Then we see the ref make the call. Definitely the weirdest ending I’ve seen in my five years.
ESQ: The big stories this offseason were getting Mike Shanahan out of retirement, getting Donovan McNabb from the Eagles, and getting Albert Haynesworth to pass a conditioning test. Which was the biggest factor in last night’s win?
C: Obviously McNabb, coming back from his injury, he played very well, and his energy — his legacy — is super exciting. He’s definitely a leader, and I just hope he can stay injury-free. Shanahan, he knows what he’s doing. He’s so serious, everyone really seems to respect him, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the season holds.
ESQ: And Haynesworth?
C: I’m hoping he keeps getting in shape, and if they can work it out, bring it on.
ESQ: Dallas had 12 penalties for 91 yards. Even Shanahan said the crowd noise contributed. And the crowd noise starts with the cheerleaders. So basically you guys won the game, right?
C: You can say that if you want, for sure! Shanahan mentioned how loud the stadium was, how awesome the fans were — Dallas could barely hear their snap counts. It was really cool that he handed it out to the crowd and the cheerleaders pumping them up.
ESQ: McNabb also mentioned the crowd. Think he’s excited to be free of abusive Philly fans?
C: I would think so. The Redskins fans are the best in NFL. That’s all I can comment on. Have you heard that the players voted the Redskins cheerleaders the hottest squad in the NFL? Why wouldn’t you want to be at a Redskins game?
ESQ: This one featured four scores surrounded by a lot of stalled drives. What do cheerleaders do when it seems like nothing is happening on the field?
C: Normally, we’re dancing. We force a smile and dance through it when something bad happens. I don’t want to say it’s tough to stay positive — it’s harder to get the crowd to stay positive. Forty girls screaming in a 90,000-person stadium can only do so much. You know, you’re forgetting the most important thing…
ESQ: The golden pants?
C: Yes! I loved it. It really made them stand out. Bringing back the pants from the sixties and seventies was definitely cool. We actually have a bright yellow uniform, and I want to put that on so we can all match.
ESQ: The most controversial play of the weekend was Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson’s game-winning TD that wasn’t. What did you think?
C: That’s crazy! I definitely thought he had possession — two hands on the ball with both feet on the ground and Johnson still had it when his body hit the ground. It looked to me like he slammed it down to get up and celebrate! That sucks it didn’t come back in their favor. I’m sure they want a rematch so bad right now.
ESQ: You hosted the making of the swimsuit calendar. So if a man happens to run into a sunbathing Redskins cheerleader, what’s the best thing he could say at that exact moment?
C: Definitely something funny. The harder I laugh, the better, probably. A lot of us, when guys find out we’re cheerleaders, they want to talk football. That’s not the way to go. And I can’t even tell you how many times we get proposed to on the side of the field, by men who’ve been drinking a little too much. At least act like meeting a cheerleader isn’t the coolest thing in your life.
ESQ: With this win, you’re 25 percent of the way to last year’s total after one game. How far can the team go this year?
C: I mean, I’m a cheerleader. We’re definitely going to the Super Bowl.
By Joshua Boyd
Swampscott Reporter
Sure, a plasma screen TV gives a great view of a New England Patriots football game. With dozens of camera angles, on-field interviews and hours of pre-and post-game coverage, you can really feel like you’re there.
After all, there is nothing comparable to being at a Patriots game, and for longtime fan-turned-cheerleader Michelle Nigro, each home Patriots game will be an experience she’ll remember for decades.
Nigro, who was a guest host on episodes of the “Totally Patriots” TV show on WSBK-TV 38 last year, still holds dreams of being a sideline reporter for Patriots games. For now, however, she’ll be the one doing the talking — er, shouting — as a rookie Patriots cheerleader.
Wicked Local Swampscott caught up with Nigro before and after the Patriots’ 38-24 victory over Cincinnati on Sept. 12 to get her thoughts on her new job, her future and her philanthropic pursuits.
Q: How did it go in your first appearance in a regular season game as a Patriots cheerleader during Game 1?
A: It was indescribable. Between the energy of the fans, a full stadium, great weather and the game itself … winning was just a plus! It felt great to dance and showcase what we’ve worked towards since March. Pumping up the crowd and cheering on the team was a lot of fun, too. I left feeling like I wanted to do it all over again. We got out first “W” on the road to the Super Bowl.
Q: What was the schedule for the day?
A: I left for Gillette at 6:30 a.m., and our call time was 8 a.m. We had a meeting and full practice of all the dances we did on the field. Then we all got ready and had lunch and the game started at 1 p.m. After the games, we all like to go and get some food together instead of waiting in traffic. I got home at 8 p.m.
Q: What made you decide to take a break from your goals of broadcast journalism to join the cheerleading squad, or will you be able to do a little bit of both?
A: I’m actually not taking a break towards my goal to be a broadcast journalist. I’m still going to school full time at Emerson College for my Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism while on the team. I just won’t be able to do an internship this semester — hopefully next semester or this summer I will have another one.
Q: What were your impressions of your time on “Totally Patriots”? What did you learn about the world of broadcast journalism and also what did you learn about yourself in that role?
A: When I did “Totally Patriots,” I thought that was about as close to the Patriots organization I was ever going to get and one of the coolest things I was ever going to do. The entire experience of filming the episodes and watching myself on TV on Sunday mornings with my family made me realize that I definitely picked the right major and career path.
I loved filming the episodes, even memorizing the lines for my stand-ups was exciting to me! I couldn’t believe I was actually getting paid to do what seemed like an amazing opportunity. Getting a taste of what sports anchors do every day was a big motivation to keep trying towards my goal to be either a reporter or anchor.
Out in front of the crowdQ: How did you hear about auditions, and what (or who) made you decide to try out as a cheerleader?
A: I found out details about the auditions through the cheerleader section of the Patriots website. One of my Swampscott High School Dance Team coaches, Danielle Lannon, was a Patriots Cheerleader when I was in high school and had told us a little bit about her experience with the Patriots and it seemed really fun. Ultimately, I decided on my own to try out.
Q: What was it like during the exhibition games? Were you nervous for Sunday, and what do you do to calm nerves before facing a big crowd?
A: I’ve never actually had stage fright. Since I was 3, I’ve performed in dance recitals in front of hundreds of people, but that doesn’t mean I never get nervous. It’s rewarding to work hard and be nervous for things whether it’s dancing or talking in front of a camera and then see the end result and realize it’s not as bad as you expected.
The first time on the field in the exhibition games was a feeling I can’t even describe. I [was] nervous about Sunday, but I’m more grateful and happy that I get to experience being on the field cheering for the Patriots in one of the most exciting games of the season.
The only thing I can do to calm my nerves is practice … a lot, and make sure I feel confident and ready for the game.
Q: You’ve had 17 years of dance, a good portion of your life — what draws you to dancing, and what are your favorite aspects of dance?
A: I’ve always had a lot of fun dancing. I’ve never let it get to the point that it becomes a chore to get up and practice or perform. When I was little, performing everything I had learned in recitals at the end of the year was so rewarding and exciting I already couldn’t wait for the next year to start.
I guess I asked my mom when I was 2 to be a cheerleader and obviously I was too young, so she signed me up for dance and ever since then I’ve loved it.
I’ve definitely found the styles of dance I like more than others. At first I did it all, but then as I got older I realized I liked hip-hop and jazz more than tap and ballet and stuck with those.
Helping out off the field
Q: Your bio on the Patriots cheerleaders website lists the following community service involvement: Alpha Epsilon Phi Philanthrophy Chair, Young Survival Coalition and Breast Cancer Awareness and Fundraising. Can you elaborate on what you’ve done for these organizations and pursuits?
A: Growing up, I always did breast cancer walks with my family, because my grandmother and aunt are survivors. When I got into pageants, I took on the platform of Breast Cancer Awareness and Fundraising and started trying to do things on my own — anything from getting my field hockey team to raise money and walk to having a bake sale for Susan G. Komen.
In college, Alpha Epsilon Phi gave me an outlet to do even more. As philanthropy chair for a year, I was able to organize more events. I contacted the Boston Chapter of the women’s group Hadassah and helped them bring back their HPV and Breast Cancer awareness programs to schools after six years, by working with my sorority and offering the programs to Emerson College students. We also did things like holiday can drives and the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.
Last year, a friend in the sorority and I got involved in the Young Survival Coalition, an organization dedicated to the issues unique to young women with breast cancer that tries to raise awareness that women under 40 can and do get breast cancer.
We realized this organization was closer to home for our age group and became sort of College Ambassadors for YSC’s Manchester, N.H., branch because they don’t have a Boston chapter yet. We set up fun nights around the city at places like Limelight Karaoke Studios, where college age kids could come out and support the charity as well as learn about it while enjoying themselves. The response to these types of events compared to straightforward awareness programs and fundraisers was a lot higher.
We hear YSC is now in the works of trying to create a Boston location. It’s sadly ironic that around the time we started our efforts with YSC, my aunt, who is only 36, developed breast cancer. The personal connections to breast cancer have definitely been a motivating drive in my efforts to raise awareness.
Q: How did you discover your favorite quote, “Create a life you’ll love”?
A: I actually got that quote from Miss Massachusetts USA 2005, Christina Nardozzi. She won the Miss title when I competed in the Teen pageant. She was an inspiration for me because she also wanted to do broadcast journalism.
I think the quote is really true to what I’ve always strived to live my life by. My parents have always told me to go for what I want no matter what and to have no regrets, so I feel like I’m always working towards creating a life that I love what I’m doing in.
Q: Your bio also mentions that your most prized possession is your family. Who is in your family, and how often will you see them during the season?
A: My immediate family is my mom Maria Freni-Nigro, my dad Joe Nigro and my younger brother Joey Nigro, who is a senior football player at Swampscott High School.
They have never stopped supporting me in all the crazy things I’ve done or tried to do. They have never told me I can’t do anything or shouldn’t try for something and I can’t thank them enough. Even my little brother has always come to all my recitals and pageants, he doesn’t know how much that’s meant to me. I also have a huge extended family filled with dozens of aunts, uncles and cousins who have always encouraged me in everything I’ve done.
Q: What are your hopes and goals for this season?A: This semester, my goal is to work really hard in cheering as well as in school, but to not forget to have fun and enjoy this amazing opportunity. I want to take in every moment and experience that I’m grateful to have through being on the team.
It was a busy week for Pro Bowl Dan. After a slew of Ravens Cheerleaders appearances it was off to Cincinnati for the Ben-Gals Calendar Release Party on Saturday. He shared a few of his photos with us:
Buffalo Jills Stefanie and Keisha braved a windy evening as they promote Dunkik’s Music on The Pier series. More at the Buffalo Pro Cheer Blog.
When: Sunday, September 19, 2010
Where Dance Vibe, 2307 West 12th Street, Erie, PA
* Must be 18 years or older
* $25 registration fee (non-refundable)
* Registration form must be completed before arrival
* A head shot is required with registration form
* Must be able to attend all rehearsal, games, appearances and other activities
* If selected a contractual commitment of six months is required
Question about dance team information? Call the office at 790-5600 and talk with Leslie Orlando or email
BayHawks Dance Team Coordinator Stacy Garrastazu at stacy.garrastazu@nbaerie.com
