Looks like the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders have joined the Toronto Raptor Dance Pak and Houston Rocket Power Dancers on the list of cheerleading squads that have to be concerned about being eaten by their own mascot.

From the Miami Herald:

Miami Heat Dancer killed in motorcycle-Mercedes crash

A Miami Heat dancer on a motorcycle was killed Friday night in a collision with a Mercedes in Fort Lauderdale and police on Saturday were appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Nancy G. Lopez-Ruiz, 22, of Plantation was riding her 2003 Suzuki GSX R in the westbound right hand lane of the 700 block of East Sunrise Boulevard when the 9:30 p.m. crash occurred.

Mario Careaga of Fort Lauderdale had been driving his 2009 Mercedes behind Lopez-Ruiz on the boulevard. At one point, the Mercedes hit the median at the lane split and curve of North Federal Highway, then struck the motorcycle, knocking the young woman off her bike. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

Police opened a drunk driving investigation of Careaga, whose age was not known. Sgt. Frank Sousa, the Fort Lauderdale police public information officer, said it would be months before the investigation was concluded.

The Plantation woman had just been signed on to dance with The Miami Heat this season, which opens its preseason schedule on Oct. 5 with the debut of Dream Team trio LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

Eric Woolworth, president of business operations for the Heat, called Lopez-Ruiz ‘‘a lovely young woman with an upbeat personality.”

“Her fierce passion for dancing was contagious,” he added in a statement. “We wish to extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and teammates.”

Police asked witnesses to the crash — or anyone else with information about it — to contact Traffic Homicide Investigator Jonathan Graham at 954-828-5125 or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.

Lopez-Ruiz, a native of Nicaragua, moved to the United States as an infant and graduated from Bradenton’s Bayshore High School, where she was active in athletics and also became captain of the school’ss Honey Bears Dance team.

Brown and Sons Funeral Homes in Bradenton, (941) 758-7788, was handling arrangements, which were incomplete.

Mother of Miami Heat Dancer prepares to bury her daughter

The heartbroken mother of Miami Heat dancer Nancy Lopez-Ruiz prepared to bury her daughter, who died in a motorcycle accident in Fort Lauderdale over the weekend. Lopez-Ruiz’s body will be returned to Bradenton.

Adela Lopez of Bradenton went to the Prime Outlet Mall near Tampa on Sunday to buy a dress for her daughter — to be buried in.

She picked what she felt Nancy G. Lopez-Ruiz would like, white organza, long and flowing, with a jacket. It cost $150 at BCBG Max Azria.

“At the register, the lady said, `All sales are final,’ ” said Nancy’s older sister, Marjorie Lacy, who helped her mother pick out the dress. “I got teary when she said it. This is the last garment Nancy will ever wear.”

Lopez-Ruiz, a graduate from Bayshore High School who just turned 22 on June 6, was killed Friday night in Fort Lauderdale when her motorcycle was struck from behind by a motorist.

The former Bayshore High Honey Bear dancer was coming home from practice with the NBA’s Miami Heat, who had just hired her for their dance team. Described by her family members as vivacious and bursting with life, Lopez-Ruiz shared her organs and skin tissue with donors.

Her visitation is 5-8 p.m. Thursday at Brown and Sons Funeral Home, 5624 26th St. W. in Bradenton. Her funeral Mass is scheduled 9:30 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bradenton.

The accident occurred around 9:30 p.m. Friday as Lopez-Ruiz, who lived in Plantation, was riding her 2003 Suzuki GSX R in the westbound right-hand lane of in the 700 block of East Sunrise Boulevard.

Police said Mario Careaga of Fort Lauderdale had been driving his 2009 Mercedes-Benz behind Lopez-Ruiz on the boulevard. At some point, the Mercedes struck the median at the lane split and curve of North Federal Highway, then struck the motorcycle, knocking the dancer off her bike.

Lopez-Ruiz was pronounced dead on at the scene. It’s unclear if she was wearing a helmet.

Blood samples were taken from Careaga. Police are awaiting toxicology reports, and said they were continuing to investigate the accident.

On Sunday night, the Lopez-Ruiz family home in West Glen was filled with hugging people and pictures of Lopez-Ruiz.

Her mother and father moved to Bradenton from Nicaragua 21 years ago when she was an infant; four sisters and two brothers also survive her.

Lopez-Ruiz recently spent 15 days in her native Nicaragua, where she was born, to meet her mother’s parents. It was as if she sensed something, her mother said Sunday night.

“I have to do it before I die,’ ” Adela recalled her daughter saying.

When her grandparents heard about her death, a massive celebration of her life began in their town, Leon.

“Prayers and music until 2 a.m.,” Adela Lopez said.

Adela earned her master’s degree in reading from the University of South Florida and teaches in Bradenton.

“We wanted a small town to raise our children,” said Adela Lopez. All five girls attended Bayshore High School, including Marjorie, 30, Indira, 26, Meylin, 25, Nancy, and Stephanie, 18.

Pictures of Nancy Lopez-Ruiz were arranged on the mantle of the family home.

There was one of her as a wiry 9-year-old after winning a national aerobics dance competition.

There was a recent one of Lopez-Ruiz as a beauty pageant contestant.

There was one of Lopez-Ruiz hugging her father, Armando, who is an aviation mechanic for APP Aviation at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

There was one of Lopez-Ruiz standing proudly by her mother.

Family members said they have been crying since Friday night when they received the tragic news.

“I have been crying for two days without stopping,” said Adela Lopez. “I am devastated. I am really sad. I am feeling my daughter’s life is gone and she was 22 and so many dreams and hopes.”

All week long the Ravens Cheerleaders have been out and about promoting the start of the 2010 NFL Season. Pro Bowl Dan was there for Purple Friday and sent us a few photos. This time he even included some of the guys.

The Philadelphia Eagles are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their last NFL Championship. And even the Cheerleaders are involved. At the Friday Night Bud Light Party Tiffany and Erica were sporting the jerseys they’ll be wearing as part of the Cheerleader 60s Throwback Uniform on Sunday.

Another look at the jersey.

From the Eagles Cheerleaders homepage a smaller look at the complete uniform.

Saturday at Acme in Paoli Cheryl and Dani were sporting a more modern look.

Bonus: In the background really annoyed shopper who was forced  to wait a whole 15 seconds while I took this photo.

[Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders]

By Steve Mazzucchi
Esquire
Before we start another season of Monday Morning Cheerleader with the lovely ladies who have a better view (and often better analysis) than the guys in the booth, Esquire.com asked some of the preseason favorites to hand out a couple golden pom-poms… for their own teams, but still.

Super Bowl Favorite of the Year: Baltimore

Dana (Ravens): “I absolutely think this is the year. With the pickup of Anquan Boldin and those draft picks, we now have all the ingredients: an up-and-coming offense and one of the best defenses in the NFL. If the Ravens show up every game — and we’ve already demonstrated that ability to bounce back — there’s no doubt that they’ll be in Dallas for the Super Bowl. Considering the schedule, 16-and-0 sounds accurate to me!”

See all the Cheerleaders and predictions at Esquire.com

Many thanks to the Houston Dynamo Girls who sent us these great photos of their squad. (You can click most of the horizontal photos to get a bigger image)

(more…)

Busy week for the Ravens Cheerleaders and Pro Bowl Dan. Wednesday night was the Ravens Cheerleaders Calendar Release Event:

And then Thursday is the Ravens Kickoff Event at Power Plant Live!:

[Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders]

[Complete Audition Information]

By Jeff Miller
Genesse Country Express

A cheerleader since the age of 6, one Dansville native has made it to the big leagues – literally.

Jessica, a 2007 Dansville High School graduate, is now a member of the Buffalo Jills Ambassador cheerleading squad.

As an ambassador, Jessica has made an estimated 20 to 25 personal appearances since she joined the team in March, plus has so far participated in two Bills’ preseason games – one in Toronto and the second in Buffalo.

It was “amazing,” she said of her first opportunity to be a Jill during a game, commenting that it is remarkably more exciting than being at a game as a spectator.
An ambassador is a non-performing member of the cheerleading squad. As an ambassador, Jessica makes personal appearances at corporate and charity functions, plus meets fans during games.

She said having this opportunity has been a lot of fun and that she has met a lot of great people; among them some of the people from the different communities that she has visited as well as team players and alumni.

But Jessica said that the other Jills have been fabulous most of all. “All of the other girls are so awesome,” she said. “I met 40 best friends.”

As a rookie, Jessica has been assigned a “vet buddy” as a mentor to help coach her and available for questions on a more personal basis.

Practices are held Tuesday nights in Buffalo, and it’s there that Jessica learns the fundamentals of what it means to be an Ambassador Jill, as well as general knowledge of the Bills and at times has work-out sessions through one of the sponsoring agencies.

But Jessica isn’t the only one whose thrilled that she’s part of the team. Her friends and family are very proud, she said. “Everyone is so supportive, and so great,” she said. And the way word spreads in a small town, Jessica said she has even had strangers congratulate her on having this opportunity.

While being a member of the Buffalo Jills may seem like it’s the pinacle of success, it’s not a guaranteed career. Jessica will have to try out every year, competing against rookies and veterans alike. This season, she competed against an overall 150 girls, including 20 to 30 veterans.

“It was tough, but well worth it,” she commented regarding the three-week try-out and interview process.

Also, the cheerleading job is basically a volunteer position. The squad is funded by sponsors and fundraisers such as a golf tournament that was held Aug. 2.

Although Jessica is taking a semester off from college to focus solely on the Jills experience, she is planning on entering her junior year as a media and communications major.

Registration and the start of the auditions for the Sparks Dance Team has been pushed back thirty minutes. Here’s all you need to know with the updated info:

2011 SPARKS DANCE TEAM AUDITIONS

Sunday, September 19^th @ 10:30am

The Boston Blazers are looking for dedicated, talented, outgoing, attractive and physically fit dancers with solid jazz / hip-hop technique and extensive performance experience for the 2011 Sparks Dance Team. Responsibilities include performance at all 2011 home games at TD Garden and participation on various promotional/charity activities and mini Sparkler dance clinics.

Weekly rehearsals are held on Monday night 7:30-10pm at Boston Athletic Club starting September 27^th through the end of the season (April/May). Dancers must provide their own transportation to and from auditions, practices, games, promotions and clinics. Applicants must be 18 years of age and a high school graduate. This is an unpaid position.

Audition Details

Date, Time Sunday, September 19^th (registration @ 10:30am, audition starts at 11)

Location: Boston Athletic Club (653 Summer Street, Boston, MA)

http://www.bostonathleticclub.com/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp

Details: Please wear form fitting cropped/half top, fitted shorts/dance briefs, and comfortable dance/athletic shoes (tights optional). Hair should be down and hair and make-up should be performance ready. The audition will consist of a brief warm-up, across the floor combinations (kicks, turns, etc.) and a short jazz / hip-hop combination. Candidates will be evaluated on dance technique, performance, poise, physical fitness and appearance.

Please Bring:

Ø Recent 5×7 headshot – photo will not be returned

Ø Completed application form and waiver

Ø Non-refundable $20 audition fee

Contact: Jennifer S Kim, Sparks Dance Team Director: Jenny@blazerslacrosse.com

[Complete Sparks Auditions Info]