There’s a new Laker Girl gallery on SportsIllustrated.com. Click here to check it out.
Back: Cheryl (Asst Director), Jacquelyn, Nicole, Jessie Ariel, Breann, Katrina, Rhea, Shannon, Audrea (Director)
Front: Recee, Brittany, Lauren
Last Saturday, I went to my first Los Angeles Clippers game of the season.
Those of you who have been with us a while know that the Clippers Spirit is one of my special favorite teams. As President, CEO, and Founder, of the Clippers Spirit fan club, I have a self-appointed obligation to be all up in their business. And, as the official unofficial photographer of the Los Angeles Clippers Spirit, I had a job to do. So when i woke up one day and it was December already and I hadn’t been to ONE game yet, I really needed to get in gear.
So I went to the game, and had a blast as usual. Then I sat down and attempted to retell the events in a witty and fascinating way that would entertain you to no end.
I wrote about how the complex was packed because LA car show and the KIIS FM jingle ball were going on at the same time.
I wrote about how I got sort of lost in the Staples Center and how I am always getting lost and how I am That Woman. The one you see wandering around the parking structure, pointing my key fob in every direction, pressing the button desperately because I haven’t the foggiest idea where I left the car.
I wrote about how I am about 84% convinced that there are zombies living the the basement of the Staples Center.
I wrote about when I finally got to the girls, they were rehearsing in the dressing room instead of on court because the Kings game ran long – and how the dressing room really isn’t built to accommodate that kind of activity.
I wrote about the new dance Nicole choreographed for the team, and how it involves cowboy hats, and how much I approve of props. I wrote about how I was inspired to buy some ninja outfits and plastic nunchicks and how I would get Nicole to choreograph something to “Kung-fu Fighting.” But then I remembered that ninjas and kung-fu aren’t the same thing at all.
I wrote about how it was Recee’s birthday and she had these crazy black over-the-knee leather boots with four inch heels, and ohmigod did I ever tell you about the time I saw her on tv and was all “dude…I totally know that chick.”
I wrote about how Cheryl actually does have feet, even though you can’t see them.
I wrote about all the new costumes and the new dances and the visits to the fans in the suites, and how intimidating these chicks look when they’re marching around, all dressed alike, with the eyelashes and shiny boots. How they seem somehow taller when they’re in full-on Clippers Spirit mode, but no, that’s just their shoes.
I wrote about how if I’d been in Shannon’s place, I would have introduced the toe of my pointy white boot to the posterior of a particularly obnoxious fan.
I wrote about how Jessica Alba was there, but I didn’t realize it was her, and thought it was just someone who looks like her, so I took a picture so I could ponder it later, but then she totally saw me pointing my camera at her and that was a little embarrassing.
I wrote about how one of the Pacers players was wearing black socks with his white sneakers and it was not hot.
I wrote about how the Clippers won and what’s up with getting the first round draft pick, only to have him sidelined with an injury since practically day one?
I wrote about how I had some technical difficulties and how next time around, I’m bringing the Big Daddy of camera lenses, which is sure to inspire fear, awe, and envy in all the other photographers.
I wrote about how we started tagging all of our photos here at Ultimate Cheerleaders, since they occasionally show up on some questionable websites and we have to prove ownership in order to force the creeps, pervs, etc to take them down.
I wrote a whole lot of stuff, none of it the least bit witty or fascinating. And now it has been a week and I’m still not happy with what I wrote, and being a perfectionist is SO overrated, so – never mind. I’ll let the photos tell the story.
You want to see the rest of them? Click here.
Rehearsing in the dressing room
Spirit and Fan Patrol doing a few quick run-throughs on the court before the game
Ariel, Shannon, Brittany, and Rhea visiting with fans in the suites before the game
Jacquelyn and Nicole with a young fan
The view from the suites. It’s a looooong way down.
Recee tapes a video segment
The Fan Patrol is ready to hit the court
Jaquelyn and Nicole during the National Anthem
Brittany during the National Anthem
Clippers Spirit gets the crowd going
1st quarter dance, “Le Grange”
Happy Birthday Recee!
In-arena host, Traci B
2nd quarter dance, “Trouble”
(This is the one choregraphed by Nicole. Woohoo!)
Somehow, I always end up behind the Fan Patrol…
…or right underneath them.
White shoes.
Black socks.
Enough said.
3rd quarter dance, “Come Together”
Sorry Jessica. I tried to do it on the down-low
Ready to hit the court for the 4th quarter.
Clockwise from Bre (the redhead): Breann, Katrina, Jessie, Lauren, Nicole, Brittany, and Jacquelyn.
4th quarter dance, “Faster Kill”
The ladies stay on the court during the last quarter.
From left: Nicole, Lauren, Katrina, Breann, Jessie, Rhea
From left: Shannon, Recee, Ariel, Jacquelyn, Brittany
Jessie and Breann keep the crowd hyped for the last few minutes of the game.
And that’s all folks!
You don’t have to go home, but you cain’t stay here!
The San Antonio Spurs have updated their website with new profiles on teh 2009-10 Silver Dancers. Click here to learn more about the team and view some gi-normous game day photos.
By Ashley O’Dell
Titans Online
Dec 7, 2009
Nashville, TENN – The Tuesday before Thanksgiving Day, the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders volunteered their time to give back to the Nashville community. At the Annual Tracy Lawrence Mission Possible Turkey Fry, the cheerleaders collected turkeys to be served the following day to the homeless and others in need in Nashville.
The event was held in the parking lot of the Nashville Rescue Mission and featured many celebrities collecting turkeys alongside the Cheerleaders, including: Tracy Lawrence, Brad Arnold, Ash Bowers, Burns & Poe, Sarah Darling, and Lorrie Morgan. Lindsey R., a current Tennessee Titans Cheerleader praised the event, stating, “The Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders have been involved with Tracy Lawrence’s Mission Possible Turkey Fry for three years, and it’s been really neat to come back every year and see how much the event has grown. It’s a great way for the music industry and the Titans to come together for a great cause and I think the most touching part to me this year is the amount of people who didn’t have a chance to buy a turkey to donate, but who still drove by the Mission during their lunch break to donate money.”
On the following day, Thanksgiving Eve, The Tennessee Titans Cheerleading Alumni Association joined some of the current Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders to serve Thanksgiving lunch and dinner to those in need. The turkeys that were collected the previous day were fried and served with other traditional Thanksgiving favorites. Alumni Judith Meyer has participated in the event in the past and explains how the serving was organized and what serving others at the Nashville Rescue Mission means to her, stating, “The women and children were fed first and they just put a smile on my face. We would carry their trays and let them pick were they would like to sit. Having someone take the time to go the extra step of carrying their tray, pulling out their chair, and bringing them something to drink really lit up their faces. And when it was time for the men to eat, let’s just say some of them started blushing when they realized we’d be serving as their hostesses for the meal. Everyone was so nice and thankful and the event really started the holiday spirit of giving for me this year.”
To see pictures from the Tracy Lawrence Mission Possible Turkey Fry and the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders and alumni serving lunch and dinner on Thanksgiving Eve, click here.
This week, the NFL cheerleader gallery on SportsIllustrated.com showcases the Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders, the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, with a couple shots of the Ben-Gals, Buffalo Jills, and Colts Cheerleaders thrown in for good measure. Click here to go there now.
The 2009-10 Cleveland Cavalier Girls are now online. Click here to visit their new website.
Click here to see a collection of photos of the Titans Cheerleaders throughout the season.
Cheerleaders of the 70s
Click here
Cheerleaders of the 80s
Click here
Cheerleaders of the 90s
Click here
Cheerleader wins ESPN distinction
Jimmy Myers
http://www.stjoenews.net/news/2009/dec/08/st-joe-woman-has-something-cheer-about/?local
December 8, 2009
Mary Verbeck’s attraction to the Kansas City Chiefs cheerleading squad started with the dancing, the sequins and flashy outfits. But it’s not what has kept her there.
The 2002 St. Joseph Central High School graduate auditioned for the Chiefs squad during her senior year at Northwest Missouri State University.
She made the 2006 squad but had to give it up the following year to focus on graduate school. But she wasn’t away for long — she completed her master’s degree in physiology in less than two years and is back with the squad, now in her third season.
“It’s not all about your dance skills or looks,” she said, adding that they participate in more youth programs than dance routines. “You talk to hundreds and hundreds of people and invest in their lives and you have to really care.”
ESPN recently chose her as its NFL cheerleader of the week, a distinction that shocked the former Central pom pom girl.
“It’s just nice to see the cheerleaders recognized,” she said of ESPN’s weekly distinction. “I feel like we’re just now coming around to getting recognition.”
The cheerleader’s mission is to teach youth groups something called “Heart Habits” where it’s all about “how you think, look, act, and perform,” Ms. Verbeck said. “It all centers around having a positive attitude. Not being selfish.”
Ms. Verbeck started dancing at Darcee’s School of Dance in her early teens. Apart from her family, which help her get ready on game days, she gives much of the credit for her success to the owner, Darcee Pierce-Blanchard.
Ms. Pierce-Blanchard said Ms. Verbeck is extremely humble.
“She’s one of those people who is gorgeous and has no idea of how pretty and talented they are,” said Ms. Pierce-Blanchard, adding that she developed a more confident air when she made the Chief’s squad. “She tumbles and dances and has a stage presence, a charisma that is just enticing.”
Click here to check out the photos, videos, and other information about last year’s AVP Dancers.
