I just can’t take another breathless report that the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders are trying to recruit Paris Jackson. For Pete’s sake. A video of Paris cheering for her high school basketball team hit the internet this week. Some reporter got ahold of Barbara Zaun, Director of the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders and asked her what she thought of Paris’ performance. Barbara graciously commented that Paris seems to be a poised, confident performer and would of course be a great addition to the PEC. One day. When she’s over 18. Duh. As if.

I don’t know if I’m cranky or what, but I find myself unreasonably annoyed by stories like this. Talk about “mMuch ado about nothing.”

The Bucs have selected 28 young ladies to the 2013 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders…but they’re not revealing the names just yet. While we wait for the announcement, check out this video series from this year’s auditions.

Becomes third Rambler in recent history to join professional ranks
Loyola Ramblers
Feb. 28, 2013

CHICAGO – Katrina Badowski, who has been a member of the Loyola University Chicago Dance Team for the last four years, has been selected to the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleading Team, it was announced earlier this week. She was one of over 200 rookie candidates to audition for a roster spot for the 2013 season.

Badowski joined other aspiring cheerleaders in Kansas City, Mo., on February 23 for the first day of a grueling weekend tryout. Beginning with preliminary round screening, candidates participated in public speaking and performed a routine for the judges. From there, the candidate pool was trimmed down to 90 individuals who would then compete against the returning veterans for a spot on the team.

The extensive opening day of activities concluded with on-camera interviews with a former Chiefs cheerleader, an evening audition, which was open to the public at Arrowhead Stadium, and a walk down the runway. A total of 65 finalists were then selected to compete in more tryouts on Sunday, February 24.

On the final day of tryouts, candidates participated in five different stations: public speaking, football knowledge, photo shoots, fitness evaluation, and dance skill evaluation. The 2013 Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders were named on Tuesday evening.

“I am excited and blessed to begin the next chapter in my life doing something that I love,” Badowski said. “I want to thank everyone who has supported me along the way. Go Chiefs!”

Badowski is the third former Loyola Dance Team member to join the professional ranks, following in the footsteps of Catherine Slack and Chelsea Troutman, who both danced for the Luvabulls, the dance team of the Chicago Bulls.

by Jacie Scott
Big D Magazine
March 1, 2013

While my fellow interns were facing the perils of fact-checking, I spent my Hump Day jump-splitting on the steps of the Texas Capitol and schmoozing with Gov. Rick Perry. Why, you ask?

I’m one of 39 girls that have the honor of donning the blue and white star-spangled uniform as Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. (Insert hair flip.) During the season we spend our weekends in Jerry’s World, and in the off-season we can be spotted anywhere from hockey games in Georgia to, well, the steps of the Capitol.

As a rookie cheerleader born and raised in Louisiana, these past months have been similar to a ride on the old Texas Giant rollercoaster at Six Flags. Fast-paced, and a little bumpy and exhilarating. But, I digress. We’ll save those stories for a different post.

Twelve cheerleaders, including myself, ventured to Austin on a windy Wednesday for a performance and appearance. The Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, a collection of independent oil and natural gas advocacy groups, gathered in Austin this week to discuss issues affecting the oil and gas industry at its 67th annual convention. Naturally, they invited the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to kick off the event… literally.

Despite a request from a young girl that we do “The Wobble,” we performed our signature kick line and jump-split. Following our performance, we signed photos, met a few officials, and moved inside to meet Gov. Perry. He greeted us with a “Howdy,” and I couldn’t help but feel Texan. (“Howdy” isn’t exactly a common word in Louisiana.)

Stay tuned for more tales. Meanwhile, here’s a treat for those who don’t quite grasp the concept of a jump-split. You’re welcome.

Jacie Scott is a D Magazine intern, too.

Every year the Special Olympics hosts a series of “Polar Plunges” to raise funds for the organization. The events take place in February and March all across the country. “Plungers” have to raise a certain amount of money for the “privilege”* of freezing their butts off. Non-plungers can also donate money just to watch. From what I could tell, the object of the game is to jump in, get to the ladder as fast as your frostbitten little legs can go, and jump to the nearest hot tub before hypothermia sets in.

Last weekend was Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s turn, and the group of Plungers included Minnesota Vikings alumni, coaching staff, Victor the Viking, and four Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders. I believe it was Mandy, Kaylee, Lauryn, and Blair, but I won’t swear to it.

** Watch the video
** Photo gallery

From what I know about the Vikings Cheerleaders, and admittedly, it’s not that much, I can tell you a few things for certain:

1. They had way more volunteers for this appearance than could be reasonably accommodated at the event
2. This was a non-paid appearance, but it didn’t occur to any of them to ask for a hazard bonus
3. Not one of them blinked when it was explained that they were to jump in with arms uncovered, midriffs bare, hair fully styled, and poms ‘a shakin.

*Not that I don’t applaud their efforts to raise money for an extremely worthy cause, but let’s be real, ok? You have to be out of your mind to do this. And to do it in Wisconsin. In WINTER. In the immortal words of Whitney Houston “HELL to the no.”

SI has a huge gallery of photos from teams all around the league. There’s a lot of interesting costuming going on. We’ve got wigs, neckties, leotards, pleated cheerleader skirts, and dancers with flowers in the hair. Click here to check it out!

Click here to go to Patriots.com and check out photos from this year’s open call.

This year’s team of 34 includes 26 field cheerleaders and 8 ambassadors. Click here to see who made the team!

Only 50 to 60 coveted spots available
By Andrea K. Walker
The Baltimore Sun
March 02, 2013

Alyssa Jones felt numb Saturday as she gathered with dozens of other girls on the basketball court of the Downtown Athletic Club.

Dressed in teeny shorts and bedazzled bra tops, the 220 ladies, and some guys as well, were all there pursuing the same dream: to become a Ravens cheerleader.

Tryout weekend is an annual event that is as important to some women as getting into college or becoming mothers. It is something they have worked toward for years.

Competition is fierce for just 50 to 60 spots on the team, either on the stunt team or the dance team. All the ladies know many of them will go home disappointed.

“I want this so bad,” Jones said. “I have been cheering my whole life to get to this point.”

Participants practice for weeks, but have just a few minutes to impress a panel of judges that includes current and former cheer coaches and staff from the Ravens front office. And that’s just to advance through the first round.

Winners are announced at the end of the month. Another round of tryouts is scheduled for Sunday to weed out even more girls. There is also an interview portion in coming days.

The team is looking for well-rounded members, coaches said.

They need to have the image. During tryouts the girls were told their hair should have curl and volume. Red lipstick is best because it stands out on the lips. Cover up tattoos, they were advised.

Then there’s skill, including sharp and precise dance moves. The ladies all learned a routine they had to perform for the judges.

The job of a cheerleader includes charity work and community appearances. So the team is also looking for ladies who are well-spoken and engaging.

“They are an ambassador for the organization,” said Keren Kreitzer, the team’s dance coach.

Kreitzer said the team is not looking for perfection. If a girl messes up during tryouts, how well she recovers is important. If a girl doesn’t know the most advanced dance moves and has other qualities, she may still make the team.

Even current cheerleaders have to try out.

“I hate to do it, but I have cut girls who just don’t have what it takes this time around,” said Tina Galdieri, the Ravens cheerleader coach for 15 years.

Leslie A., who is retiring from the team after 11 years, said tryouts are sometimes more intense for current cheerleaders than newbies.

“You’re a veteran so they expect more from you,” she said. “You can’t really make little mistakes.”

The cheerleader hopefuls come from all walks of life. The gig is part-time so everyone is required to have a fulltime job, enroll as a fulltime student or be a stay-at-home mom.

Kasie Bey-Keys, 21, is from Cockeysville but is studying at Norfolk State University in Virginia. She’s willing to make the trip every weekend from campus if it means getting a spot on the team. She was eyeing the competition Saturday and admitted she was nervous.

“All the girls have skills,” she said.

Current cheerleaders helped the girls with their routines and passed on tips. For instance, make sure your performance has energy.

Whitney J. made the team last year and gave this advice:

“You have to act like you’re already a Ravens cheerleader,” she said. “You have to have that kind of mentality and confidence.”

FromMySanAntonio.com: