By Katie Farden
The SU Spectator
5/27/09

With four wins and 12 losses last season, the Seattle Seahawks ended 2008 leaving most of their fans with dim hopes for next year. Seattle U students and alumni still have cause to head down to Qwest Field, however, even if it is only for the half-time show.

Senior criminal justice and forensic psychology major Pia Gillan recently earned a spot on the Sea Gals, a professional dance team that performs at Seahawks football games.

When Gillan first found out she made the team, she was in disbelief.

“You have to wait for an hour to find out, and that’s the worst part,” she said. “When they first called my number I was in shock, I had to double check to make sure it was me.”

Gillan has been a member of Seattle U’s dance squad, SU Dance Team, for the past two years. Her dance coach, Kate Kelly, wasn’t surprised with Gillian’s success at the Sea Gals tryout.

“She is one of the best performers I have ever coached,” Kelly said. “She just has that air about her.”

Performing in front of a large audience is one aspect of her new job Gillan says she is most excited to take on.

“I’m really excited just to be in the stadium interacting with the crowd,” said Gillan who was born and raised in Guam and danced competitively in high school for Skip Entertainment Studio. Before dancing on the SU Dance Team, Gillan spent her freshman and sophomore year playing rugby for Seattle U.

“Rugby was a lot of fun, especially because we played it a lot in Guam,” she said. “But I really missed dancing. It’s not that I didn’t like rugby, but I do wish I had tried out for the dance team earlier.”

The most unforgettable moment of her two years on Seattle U’s dance squad, she said, was her initial audition.

“I had never really auditioned before, and I was nervous choreographing my own dance,” she said of her 2007 tryout. “But I got through it.”

Gillan auditioned for the Sea Gals in late April at Qwest Field. The try outs, which held three rounds of cuts and personal interviews, proved to be far more overwhelming than the Seattle U dance team auditions.

“At the SU audition, there are about eight girls there, and everyone knows your name,” she said. “At the Sea Gals audition, there were over 200. You’re just a number.”

Gillan’s number, however, drew the coaches’ attention. She was selected along with 27 other women for the 2009 Sea Gal’s roster.

“My mom called everyone she knew. And my family keeps checking the [Sea Gals] Web site,” she said with a laugh.

The Sea Gals practice every Tuesday and Thursday at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash.

“Practices start at 6:30 p.m., and they don’t give you an end time because you don’t know when it will get over,” Gillan said.

She said while it’s often challenging, she works to strike a balance between school and her new job as a Sea Gal.

“It’s pretty stressful,” said Gillan, who also works 15 hours a week at Super Copy. “I just seriously have to time-manage.”

Still, the Sea Gal practices, which usually run for about two and a half hours, offer her time to unwind.

“I look forward to those practices because it’s a chance to put school behind me.”

Although Gillan is now a professional dancer, her former coach said she still retains her humility.

“She is probably one of the most down to earth people I know,” said Kelly. “She definitely deserves this.”

From the Buffalo Pro Cheer Blog:

To introduce the 2009 squad to the public, the Buffalo Jills invaded Club Paradise in Blasdell, NY, only 8 minutes from Ralph Wilson Stadium for their annual Congratulatory Party. The party not only allowed the public to meet the Jills squad, but gave the Jills themselves a chance to celebrate their accomplishment of making the squad with family and friends. This year’s party included a chinese raffle, a 50-50 drawing, and 3 separate dance routines put on by the Jills dancers. Taking the stage to announce the event was honorary Buffalo Jill Lydia, the host of Buffalo’s CW23 TV station, WNLO.

Lots of photos and video at Phil’s blog.

[Buffalo Jills Congratulatory Party]

[Official Buffalo Jills Website]

All-Pro3 Inc, the company that produces the P-R-O Convention is excited to announce the All-Star line up of guest instructors for their 2009 Convention. Professional Cheerleaders and Dancers from all over the world travel to Atlanta to learn choreography from these instructors every year.

“We always like to add some fresh, new instructors each year to teach alongside our fabulous veteran choreographers” says Tracy Rutledge of All-Pro3. “Raquel Torres-Garcia will be joining us from the San Antonio Spurs, and Ken Martin from USA Pro Cheerleaders will also teach for us for the first time.”

The Tampa Bay Lightning Girls

Rutledge boasts “We pride ourselves in showcasing actual Directors, Managers, and Choreographers who actively run pro teams. Their choreography is always usable and fan friendly, exactly what professional cheerleaders and dancers are looking to learn.”

P-R-O Instructors for 2009:

Tami Krause-NFL Minnesota Vikings & NLL Minnesota Swarm
Sandy Charboneau-NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Raquel Torres-Garcia-NBA San Antonio Spurs
Alto Gary-NFL Houston Texans
Tamara Jenkins-MLS FC Dallas
Stacie Kinder-NFL Tennessee Titans
Ken Martin-USA Pro Cheerleaders
Brandii McCoy-NBA Charlotte Bobcats & ECHL Charlotte Checkers
Stephanie Jojokian-NFL Washington Redskins
Marla Viturello-AFL Philadelphia Soul & Philadelphia Pro Dancers
Shannon Kingsley-NFL Seattle Seahawks

Rutledge adds that “Our Convention continues to grow each year. Our sponsors such as the Line Up, Peavey hosiery, Satin Stitches, and Tech.Nitions, help make our event even more extraordinary each summer!”

The popular “Sideline Distraction Magazine” is a huge hit at the Convention. It features ‘Sideline Hotties’ from various teams and leagues in Professional Cheerleading. Last year, the coveted cover spot went to Crystal, from the NHL Tampa Bay Lightning Girls…who will it be this year? You’ll have to attend the P-R-O Convention to find out!

For more information and to register, visit www.allpro3.com or email allpro3@mac.com

Check out some galleries from last year’s convention.

So what Pro Cheerleading Squad performs under the most difficult conditions?

Until this year the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders had to endure the brutal August heat for pre-season games at Texas Stadium.

And the Buffalo Jills have to break out the thermal packs in December and January when the wind whips through Ralph Wilson Stadium.

But how about the Body Armor, the Dance Team for the AIFA DC Armor?

Consider this: Washington DC, Memorial Day weekend, Indoor Football, NO AIR CONDITIONING!

They bring some portable units into the DC Armory, where the team plays its home games. But the conditions are still tough, though the Dancers manage to smile through it all.

Body Armor Directors Bea Codjoe and Jane Said. Bea works for a DC non-profit, sort of like a “community kitchen,” while Jane works on the helpdesk for the Department of Labor.

Jess is a graduate of Princeton University. (More on Jess later this week)

Shawni has her Bachelors and Masters from the University of Maryland. She helps keep the country safe working for the Department of Homeland Security as a Criminal Research Specialist. She danced at the University of Maryland and has coached high school and all-star cheerleading squads.

Ten months ago she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Sanai. Shawni says she was a little self-conscious about trying out for team so soon after giving birth. But with hard work, determination and the support of her Directors, she made the team and she look great.

While the holiday weekend might have reduced the crowd, the fans who turned out made up for it with their enthusiasm. Kids scrambled for the football when it went out of bounds, and where ever the Body Armor went they were greeted with high fives and requests for photos.

Nicole is a graduate of James Madison University and a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative.

Click here to check out the Orlando Magic Dancers on SportsIllustrated.com!

Side note: The choreographers set it up so that the front and back
lines switched and repeated the combo all within one playing of the
song. Nifty!

*Photos: 2009 Calendar Shoot (Day 3) *

SP-IR-IT We’ve got SPIRIT!
By Falconschick
Chicks In the Huddle

Addition by subtraction…that’s what coaches call it when they add to their arsenal (either roster wise or staff-wise) by recruiting from their enemies. *strokes non-existent beard* Hmm so if it works for coaches…can it work for fans as well? Here I have former star member of the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders from the 2008 season, Ashley White. Ashley is a former University of Miami Hurricanes Cheerleader, and former anchor for WPLG (Miami’s ABC affiliate). However, Ashley is a Georgia native (and has returned to Atlanta), so you can already guess where I’m headed with this right? Thats right, Falcons Chick is about to woo Ashley into trading in the teal and orange for red and black…or die trying.ash

Falcons Chick: So Ashley, what exactly is the duty of an NFL cheerleader, I mean aside from the sideline dances?

Ash: The duty of an NFL cheerleader goes beyond simply dancing for their team on the sidelines. We’re the players number one fans! Aside from being required to attend every practice and game, we’re required to do a minimum number of appearances, talk to news media, teach junior training camps and let’s not forget we each are either employed full time or attend school full time.

Falcons Chick: Did you already know a lot about football before you started cheering for MDC or were u cheering and learning as you went along?

Ash: No, I knew almost everything there was to know about football. Growing up in Georgia football is a must-love sport. My father and brothers watched college ball every Saturday and NFL games every Sunday. You really didn’t have a choice but to learn and love the game of football. As I got older I grew to appreciate it more, especially since I cheered for the University of Miami and then in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins!

Falcons Chick: Now that you’re back here in Atlanta, who exactly will you be cheering for on September 13th (The Falcons season opener against the Miami Dolphins at 1pm in Atlanta)?

Ash: My hometown team has always been the Atlanta Falcons but I have grown to love the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins still hold the first and only Perfect Season! Not only was I an MDC (Miami Dolphins Cheerleader) but watching them play every Sunday for the past couple of years I fell in love with the organization. I’m so much more than a fan… I am looking forward to wearing my orange and teal proud!!! My friends may give me a hard time but I’m still gonna shine in my MDC apparel!

Falcons Chick: *going for it* So when can we expect to see you hang up that MDC uniform and pull on a Falcons one, or is that against some kind of unwritten NFL cheer code?

Ash: It’s definitely not against any unwritten code…I have cheered with girls who came from and left for other NFL teams. But, I couldn’t cheer for any other NFL team. I think I would always compare the two squads, not even intentionally. I will always be a Miami Dolphins Cheerleader. The epitome of NFL cheerleading is the Miami Dolphins, forever and always!

Falcons Chick: Who is your favorite Atlanta Falcon?

Ash: My favorite Atlanta Falcon Player …Matt Ryan! The greatest rookie quarterback in NFL history!!! I think he brings so much to the table and being back in Atlanta I’m anxious to see him lead the Falcons to even more wins! Plus, he’s such a cutie!!

Falcons Chick: Who really needs sun and sand, and the ocean…aren’t you happy to be back in Atlanta?

Ash: Absolutely!! I’m glad to finally be home after living five years in the Magic City! I miss a lot about Miami. Mainly, my fellow MDC’s. We spend nine months out of the year together during each season, about four days a week and anywhere between 9-15 hours a week. In addition to being together a lot for practices and appearances, we all hang out together outside of Dolphins! We become family. And for me, they’re my Miami family! I really miss them but being back home tops that!

Falcons Chick: What is your feeling on the Pink Jersey? (You know…the jersey NFL apparel geniuses have deemed ‘for women’?)

Ash: To be honest, I hate the pink jersey’s. When someone sports pink it doesn’t let anyone know who you’re actually rooting for unless you get close enough to see the white writing and logo. Why not wear your teams actual colors? When I look up into the stands from the sidelines I want your jersey to scream orange and teal (*ahem* or Red and Black) … not that your favorite color is pink!

Falcons Chick: When (not if) the Falcons go to the Super-Bowl, which is held in Miami next year, can I expect to see you in Red and Black?

Ash: Only if my beloved Miami Dolphins aren’t playing against them will I wear Red and Black! The Dolphins were the AFC East division winners this past season after coming back from finishing as the NFL’s worst team in 2007 so I have high hopes for the Dolphins and of course would love to see them play in Miami at the Superbowl! (We’ll see about this *evil laugh*)

Thanks to Ashley for the interview, I definitely look forward to the game September 13th, May the girl with the cutest shoes’ team win.

[Audition Info at DallasCowboysCheerleaders.com]

I’m on vacation and will be back on Memorial Day. If you’re driving around Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia or Washington DC, keep an eye out for bicyclists. That could be me!

If you’ve got tips, photos or news send to Sasha at sasha@procheerleaderblog.com. Questions about the site, advertising or the new tv show, send to ultimatecheerleaders@gmail.com.