Details here.
Lots going on with the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders. Their new calendar is about to be released and there’s a new uniform this season. but the biggest new is MVC Head Coach Tami Krause is Mrs. Minnesota International 2009 and this weekend she’s going to Chicago to compete for Mrs. International.
Here’s a little about Mrs. International:
Beginning 22 years ago, Mrs. International® was developed to have higher standards than other pageant systems. The focus behind Mrs. International® is to showcase women 21 to 56 years old, married at least six months and a resident of the state or a citizen of the country she represents. Each contestant competes in Interview Competition, which is valued for 50% of her overall score, Evening Gown, valued for 25% and Fitness Wear for 25%. Each contestant has the opportunity to select a platform of her choice that she spends the year promoting. Husbands are a direct part of the show, escorting their wives in the Evening Gown competition, and the husband crowns his wife titleholder.
Good Luck, Tami!
[Tami Krause at Mrs International]
[Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders]
[Vikings Cheerleader at P-R-O]
Hornets Honeybee Hopefuls Audition For 2009-10 Dance Squad
From WDSU.com
More than 100 wannabe Honeybees auditioned for a spot on the Hornets’ dance squad Saturday at the New Orleans Arena.
“We are looking for great dancers. Dancers that have a lot of personality and energy,” said choreographer Ashley Deaton. “Someone your eyes will drawn to and want to watch.”
In the first round of auditions, the girls had to learn a intense hip-hop dance routine. The judges evaluated the dancers and cut them down to 72. In the second round of auditions, the girls had to learn a jazz routine to a mix of Michael Jackson’s songs.
“Auditions are going great so far. I’m excited about our new team.” said Deaton.
Potential Honeybees also have to do community service and be a role model to the community.
“I want to be a Honeybee to be able to enjoy the entire atmosphere with the community,” said Kristen LaNasa. “Especially, being on the team that represents the whole community as a whole.”
Two-year Honeybee veteran Ashley Bowman agrees.
“The best thing about being the Honeybee is the opportunity to interact with the community. The community really enjoys being with the Honeybees,” Bowman said.
The Honeybee finalist will be presented at Generation Halls on Sunday, July 19 at 5 p.m. Fans are welcome to come show their support.
See a slideshow from auditions here.
Last month, as a part of budget cuts, Florida International University eliminate the school’s cheerleading team. The good news is the squad is coming back, but will have to rely on private donations for funding.
The Miami Herald reports that the squad is teaming up with Miami’s Professional Soccer team:
Miami FC is partnering with FIU’s recently defunded cheerleading team to help the nationally ranked group raise the money needed to keep the program alive.
The team will sell Blues tickets both on campus and in the community, and will keep a portion of the proceeds. In return, 15 members of the team will be Miami FC Cheerleaders for the rest of the season.
The FIU Cheerleaders are under the direction of Maria George.
Most currently, Maria was a Professional Cheerleader for the National Football League with the Miami Dolphins. A member of this elite cheerleading squad and organization (98-00), she was chosen as a member of the selective “show team” (travel squad) performing all over the world, in addition to, on the sidelines where she was a team co-captain. She is now benefiting from her time with the Dolphins, as a member of the professional cheerleaders alumni. The PCA is a new organization consisting of alumni cheerleaders from the NFL and NBA, who raise money for women and children’s charities. Also an entrepreneur, she is a partner in a planning and public relations company.
A collegiate cheerleader with the impressive Division I University of Pittsburgh Panthers, she was active with the dance team, Pantherette program and an instructor & trainer with the Elite cheerleading organization. On the cheerleading circuit, she was also chosen Division I-A All America.
After receiving a B.A. in communications from Pitt, Maria started her own cheer/dance school in western Pennsylvania where her all-star competition squads were created. The Mon Valley All Stars and Steele City All Stars have captured numerous local, state, regional, and national titles under her direction.
By Bill Husted
The Denver Post
Renee Herlocker, 28, is pretty for a living — often referred to as the “legendary Broncos cheerleader Renee Herlocker,” at least by this columnist. She was on the pep squad for six years starting in 2000; in her final year she was team captain. Born and raised in Denver, she went to Smoky Hill High School and then to the University of Northern Colorado, for a cuppa coffee. As a model with Donna Baldwin Talent, she is busy with commercials and appearances. She made a workout video with Paula Abdul dubbed “Cardio Cheer.” And she most notably dated Avalanche star Dan Hinote for a number of years. When we talk, Herlocker is about to leave for Los Angeles for a part in “Ironman 2” as a member of Ironman’s Superhero Cheerleading Team. She orders a split of prosecco.
Herlocker: I like my wine. I like prosecco and Grey Goose soda and Grey Goose water.
BH: I’ll drink to that. And “Ironman 2.” Is that your ambition, to be in the movies?
Herlocker: Does anybody have an ambition to be in the movies? I’m not theatrically trained. I want to be a sports and entertainment reporter, on television and the Internet. I’m moving to L.A. this summer.
(more…)
By Terry Foster
The Detroit News
Heather Zara loves sports so much, she still has pieces of confetti from the night the Pistons won the 2004 NBA title.
And when her alarm rings at 2:30 every morning, the television is usually tuned to “SportsCenter” or a replay of the previous night’s Tigers game.
Zara, WDIV’s morning traffic reporter, is a passionate sports fan who used to scramble around the Lions dressing room looking for stories.
This weekend, Zara moves to the sports desk, anchoring Channel 4’s weekend show.
“I feel like I have my dream job, but I am not the kind of person to stand still,” said Zara, who grew up in Warren and attended Mott High.
“Down the road I would like to get a job in sports. Right now, I work with some amazing people. If my career ended at Channel 4, I would be very happy. I love working in the city, and you have some of the best sports teams around whether you are a fan or a reporter.”
Zara is a risk taker.
She left a full scholarship at Wayne State and transferred to Michigan State so she could study broadcast journalism.
“I don’t think I’d be here if I didn’t do that,” said Zara, who won an Emmy her junior year and appeared headed toward her career in sports.
But WDIV held a contest for a traffic person in December 2007, and she decided to take a shot at coming home. She had just left a small Maryland station for a behind-the-scenes job in Chicago. The audition was a hit. The day after Super Bowl XL, Zara was on WDIV doing afternoon traffic.
Not bad for someone who played volleyball and softball, but was cut from nearly every basketball team she tried out for. What she coulddo was dance, and she landed gigs with the Detroit Fury, the now-defunct arena football team, and Automotion, the Pistons’ dance group. That’s how she celebrated the Pistons’ title — confetti and all.
Date: August 1st 2009
Time: Registration – 9:00am, Audition – 10:00am
$10 registration fee at audition – Cash Only
Location: Shops at Houston Center
Shops at Houston Center
Please fill out the Aero Dynamic application and send with an 8×10 full body photo to:
Houston Aeros
Attn: Aero Dynamic Auditions
1221 Lamar St. Suite 1100
Houston, TX 77010
Applications must be received by July 20
REQUIREMENTS
Must have a full/part time Job or attend college full/part time
18 Years of Age by August 1st 2009 (NO EXCEPTIONS)
Reliable Transportation
Must attend all practices (Tuesdays & Thursdays), games, community and charitable appearances
WILL I NEED TO CHOREOGRAPH MY OWN DANCE?
Yes. You will be required to make up your own dance with your own 1 minute song choice (Please have edited music).
WHAT DO I WEAR?
Dance shorts to show your legs (required for uniforms)
Midriff-baring top (Dance or Athletic Bra-Top)
Dance or Athletic Shoes
Select attire that is eye catching and unique
HOW SHOULD I WEAR MY HAIR AND MAKE-UP?
Have your hair and make-up performance ready; please make sure to have your make-up to accent your natural beauty. Your hair should be fixed to the style it is currently in and not to hide your face.
HOW WILL THE AUDITION PROCESS GO?
Registration will start at 9am in the Park Shops Mall and you will be given a number when you register. You will then proceed to the photography area where you will be photographed with our photographer.
At 10am the auditions will begin and we will start to call out numbers randomly for each individual to perform their own 1 minute choreographed dance.
After every participant performs we will have a 30 minute lunch break.
You will then learn a 1 minute dance routine choreographed by a dance instructor and perform in groups in front of the judges.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
Your 1 minute choreographed music on a CD
Valid Drivers License
$10 Registration Fee (Cash Only)
Water
Snacks
IS BEING AN AERO DYNAMIC A FULL-TIME JOB?
No. Being an Aero Dynamic is time consuming and requires commitment to the Aeros for a full season. Aero Dynamic dancers do have full time jobs or attend college and is a volunteer position.
AUDITION LOCATION
Shops at Houston Center
1200 McKinney St., #545
Houston, TX 77010
Parking is available in the Shops at Houston Center garage at the corner of Austin and McKinney or at the parking meters on the streets around the building. Please bring cash for parking, an ATM is located in the Shops.
On Thursday December 14th, 2008, after nearly a month long audition process, the 2009 Philadelphia Soulmates were selected. The following day, the Arena Football League suspended operations for the season.
So while the AFL and its teams shut down and the players tried to land spots in other leagues, the never-to-be 2009 Soulmates decided to keep on dancing. Under the direction of five-time Soulmates director Marla Viturello, they formed the Philadelphia All Pro Dance Team.
They still meet and rehearse, but not as often as before. They’ve performed at NBA playoff games, at Major League baseball games and indoor football games. They’ve danced for and supported causes and charities ranging from the Special Olympics to Breast Cancer Awareness.
Rumors speak of a July 15th deadline for a decision for the 2010 AFL season, but many deadlines have come and passed before with no final answer. In the meantime these ladies just keep on dancing.
Lauren had taken a year off from the Soul in 2008, while she settled into her new job as a middle school teacher.
Krysta is a Nutrition and Dietics Major at West Chester University.
Sunday a the convention was Marla’s birthday!
More photos of the Philly All Pro Dabcers at P-R-O here.
By Tom Hinkley
Brockton Enerprise
Fenway Park might have the Green Monster, the Pesky Pole and all of its legendary retired Red Sox numbers, but Campanelli Stadium and the Brockton Rox have something that not even Fenway can offer — cheerleaders.
The Roxies, who are in their first year of existence, are made up of 11 college-aged women from around the area and Boston.
They can be seen dancing on the field between innings, greeting fans at the entrance gates and walking around the concourse during games.
Terry Perrotta, the coach of the Roxies, is the main reason for their creation.
“The Rox thought that having cheerleaders was a great idea when I brought it up,” said the Hyde Park resident. “They thought it would really add to the family atmosphere at the stadium.”
Perrotta had worked with many of the women before at a dance studio, but held an open tryout anyway.
“We had about 40 women show up for tryouts,” said Perrotta. “It was really hard to cut them down to only 11.”
Of the 11 women selected, eight of them had previous experience with Perrotta.
“Having a lot of us that knew each other before made it really easy to work together,” said Roxie Christine Campbell of Milton. “The other three blended in really smoothly and it has been great.
The squad, which appears at every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and most Thursday home games, practices Wednesday nights at Campanelli Stadium for a couple hours.
In addition to Campbell, other squad members include Tanya Soares of Somerville, Alana Megna of Boston, Judy Norton of Allston, Christine Campbell of Milton, Jenna Martell of Boston, Catherine O’Brien of Hyde Park, Jade Martell of West Roxbury, Kelly Stevens of Boston, Elizabeth Campbell of Milton and Stephanie Changeau of Stoughton.
The Roxies have all been dancing for most of their lives, but being a “cheerleader” is a new experience for a lot of them.
“Cheering is something new for a lot of us,” said Campbell, who is majoring in Crime and Justice Studies at Suffolk University. “We’ve danced forever, so it hasn’t been too big of an adjustment.”
Once the crew began performing at Rox home games, they were quickly labeled as cheerleaders, but most of the women don’t think that it’s an appropriate label.
“We get called cheerleaders a lot because we have the pom-poms,” said Campbell.
“We’re more like crowd pumper-uppers,” said fellow Roxie Norton, a Reebok Fit Model and Communications major at Regis College.
While the women do a fair amount of dancing, they see it is the least important aspect of their job.
“We really do more interacting with the fans and promotional stuff than actual cheering,” said Norton. “This is such a family environment, and we try to add to that.”
Outfitted in white, gold and teal uniforms with gold pom-poms, the women spend most of the game walking around Campanelli Stadium talking to fans from the front row to the luxury boxes.
“Being approachable is definitely the most important part of our job,” said Changeau, a registered nurse and recent grad of Regis College. “Being able to talk to people is more important than the dancing.”
One fan who frequently socializes with the Roxies is Michael Godina.
The youngster is arguably their biggest fan and carries a picture of the Roxies with him during games with hopes of getting all of their autographs.
“I come to a lot of the games, especially when the Roxies are here,” said Godina. “I just love them.”
The Roxies have become popular at Campanelli Stadium, so it is surprising to see that more teams do not have cheerleaders.
“I know that Quebec does (have cheerleaders) and New Jersey does,” said Perrotta. “But I’m really surprised that it hasn’t caught on more.”
Major League Baseball has a few organizations with cheerleaders, but, oddly enough, they are teams that struggle mightily with attendance.
The Florida Marlins’ Mermaids don’t exactly rake in fans the way that the organization would like, and neither do the cheerleaders for the Cincinnati Reds.
Although cheerleaders, or dancers, aren’t common for baseball teams, the Brockton Roxies hope to continue on in the future.
“We’ll be back next year,” said Perrotta. “Hopefully, we can bring back a lot of the same girls from this year, but we’re always up for some newcomers.”
Even if next year’s Roxies have some new members, they will always have fans like Godina, who seem to pay more attention to the cheerleaders than to the baseball game.
The Roxies hope that they will be around for years to come and that perhaps even more baseball teams will begin to follow suit.
