Becoming an Eagles Cheerleader

March 2, 2011 (WPVI) — 24-year-old Tracey Dunn desperately wants to be an Eagles Cheerleader and she’s leaving nothing to chance. She’s perfecting her dance moves, while flinging her long hair and flashing a brilliant smile. She made the squad twice already but surprisingly that doesn’t mean a thing! She has to train for tryouts just like the hundreds of girls she’ll be competing against.

“That’s the big thing, no guarantee that you’ll make it back,” she explained. “You’re always constantly fighting to keep your spot. But that’s good; it keeps you on your toes.”

We met up with Tracey while she was training at Bally Total Fitness in South Philadelphia.

[RELATED: Eagles Cheerleaders – Making the Squad]

Tracey grew up in the area and studied dance in college which she said helped her prepare for her first audition with the Eagles.

“I walked into a room with 500 girls that can be an eye opener and really get your nerves going,” she said.

Tracey stayed calm and endured several cuts all in the first day. The actual audition process takes about a month. Each contestant must prove she has the moves and looks physically fit.

One highlight of making the squad, the annual Eagles Cheerleader calendar shoot.

But Tracey said people only see the glamour. What would surprise them the most?

“The struggles we go through, you’re going to be tired, overworked and sweaty, it gets stressful.”

The women work hard training and you can follow Tracey and two other cheerleading hopefuls as they blog about their audition process.

The final auditions are set for Saturday March 26th.

Cheerleaders bringing in cash for NFL teams

By Darren Rovell, CNBC.com
Yahoo Sports
Jan 27, 2011

This year’s Super Bowl features the Green Bay Packers against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But there will be no cheerleaders. The Packers and the Steelers are just two of six teams (along with the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears) that don’t field a pom-pom waving squad.

Although their seasons are over, cheerleaders are an important part of the NFL off-season for the 26 teams that do have them. Why? Because, when executed well, they provide endless clicks for Web surfing fans and additional revenue in appearances (teams usually charge between $100 and $500 per hour per cheerleader) and swimsuit calendar revenue.


nfls-most-valuable-cheerleading-squads

In fact, with plenty of women to audition and money to be had (most cheerleaders make less than $100 a game), the number of cheerleaders has increased exponentially in recent years.

In 2010, 15 teams each dressed more than 30 cheerleaders for games and have found ways, especially online, to generate revenue from their top squads. However, as valuations go, NFL teams are hesitant to put a dollar figure on their cheerleading squads, but the use of these cheerleaders as a vehicle for marketing is certainly in the public eye.

You probably expected to find the Dallas Cowboys on the top of this list, but no team has a more extensive of a library of cheerleader photos than the Indianapolis Colts. You can sort through over 2,000 shots that not only can be looked at, but also ordered. No other team in the league allows fans to do that.

The Colts are also the only team in the league to post a photo gallery of some of the favorites to join the squad next season. Fans can look at 65 candidates for the team and vote for who they think should join the team next.

Here is the ranking of the top teams that take the most monetary advantage of their cheerleaders.

10. Denver Broncos
While it’s not the greatest cheerleader site, the sponsorship revenue the Broncos cheerleaders bring in is pretty impressive. There’s a company sponsoring tanning, yoga and spa services.

The Broncos are also the only cheerleading squad that has a breast augmentation sponsor, Dr. Ben Lee. They’re also one of the only teams, if not the only team, to sell cheerleader packages for events.

9. New England Patriots
Video is the major theme. The Patriots were smart in that they have video pre-rolled, so once you click on a cheerleader’s bio, you’ll automatically see video of them. They also have an extensive gallery of photos sorted by cheerleader and are one of the few teams to keep previous squad galleries up on their site — why delete them?

8. Oakland Raiders
After the Cowboys, the Raiderettes get the most press in the league. Given the team’s performance in recent years, it’s one of the few redeeming aspects of going to their games. The Raiderettes have among the most sponsors including Euphoria Nail and Body Bar, MAC makeup, Betsey Johnson swimwear and 365 Teeth Whitening.

As for appearance fees at events, Raiders cheerleaders cost a planner $400 each, per hour, to show up, with a minimum of two cheerleaders required at an event.

7. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs also understand that static pictures of cheerleaders aren’t going to create buzz in 2011. The site features great videos of the cheerleaders, sponsored by Sprint, where fans can get to know the girls. But if you want to meet these cheerleaders in person, it’ll cost you $250 per hour, per cheerleader for their appearance fee.

6. Tennessee Titans
To find some of the best cheerleader video, you’ll have to go to the Tennessee Titans Web site. There, you’ll find Swimsuit calendar video of all the entire team, which at 24 women is actually the smallest in the league.

However, if you want these cheerleaders to show up at an event, it’s going to cost you. The Titans charge $300 per hour, per cheerleader for performances and $200 per cheerleader per hour if you’re hosting a meet-and-greet.

5. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have the only cheerleader Web site that makes you click “continue” because of mature content ahead, click continue, it’s worth it (for some people) . The Eagles have a really well organized roster section with easy to click video and photo galleries of each woman.

4. Miami Dolphins
NFL teams have a 53-man active roster throughout the season. The Miami Dolphins field a league – high 41 cheerleaders, which translates into a lot of offseason clicks throughs on their Web site. There are plenty of ‘Cheerleader of the Week’ videos, photo galleries and calendar shots.

3. Dallas Cowboys
There’s no doubt that this legendary group, with a history that spans 50 years, had to make this list. The team has its own Web page, has the most extensive schedule of off-the-field appearances and has a fully clickable roster with pictures of every group dating back to 1961.

There’s no doubt that the Cowboys cheerleaders generate the most money of any squad in the league, not only from appearance fees but from exclusive sponsorships, including hair (Tigi Bed Head), Boots (Lucchese) and Tanning (Palm Beach Tan), but as far as online marketing goes, they’re only number 3.

2. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans were better than the Dallas Cowboys on the field this past season and they’re better at exploiting their cheerleaders — at least online — than the Cowboys are.

The team has big bio pictures of the squad and is one of the few that offers screensaver wallpaper of every woman. The Texans are also the only team that offers fans the chance to see the girls in the gym as they give you their workout advice — brilliant.

1.Indianapolis Colts
I know, you expected to find the Dallas Cowboys on the top of this list, but no team has a more extensive of a library of cheerleader photos than the Indianapolis Colts. You can sort through over 2,000 shots that not only can be looked at, but also ordered. No other team in the league allows fans to do that.

The Colts are also the only team in the league to post a photo gallery of some of the favorites to join the squad next season. Fans can look at 65 candidates for the team and vote for who they think should join the team next. There’s also a voting leaderboard for the candidates and the top vote getter, Lindsey K., has more than 1,000 votes.

Sad News: Former Eagles Cheerleader Succumbs to Cancer

janis-hill2By Claudia Vargas

January 25, 2011

Janis Hill, 52, of Woolwich Township, a former Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader and a breast cancer survivor and advocate, died Thursday, Jan. 20, at Pennsylvania Hospital following surgery to remove two brain tumors.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, Mrs. Hill became involved with the Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Described by Komen Philadelphia chapter executive director Elaine Grobman as compassionate, kind, and bright, Mrs. Hill volunteered her time to various Komen for the Cure events, including the survivors march.

One of her most significant contributions was a recent video montage uploaded on YouTube of 136 former Eagles cheerleaders performing together at Central High School in Philadelphia.



Janis with the Philadelphia Eagles Liberty Belles, front and center

Monday Morning Cheerleader: Jen of the Eagles

By Shawn Donnelly
Esquire.com
January 10, 2011

So what do you get when you combine a banged-up quarterback, a gimpy wide receiver, two missed field goals, and a defense that forgets to exist in the red zone? The end of the Great Reinvention of Michael Vick, the beginning of an Aaron Rodgers run at the Super Bowl, and yet another fantastic finish from the postseason’s opening weekend, that’s what. Also: lots of very sad people from Philadelphia, which can be strange.

But perhaps Eagles Nation can rally for next year behind the determination of a rookie cheerleader named Jen. After all, this is a woman who, when she was 12, broke her wrist during a ballet recital but popped back up to finish the dance. “There was no way I was getting off that stage,” she told us after Sunday night’s game. “I was taught that if you fall down, you get right back up.” This dance instructor isn’t afraid of calling out her coach for a fourth-and-one (missed) field goal attempt, either, or making a bold playoff prediction. Or three.

2010-eagles_jen2

ESQUIRE: On a scale of one-to-10, with 10 being extremely disappointed, where are you at right now?

JEN: I think I’m at a five. Before the season, people were predicting 8-8 for us, and this was supposed to be a rebuilding year. We went 10-6, made the playoffs. I don’t think we could’ve asked for a whole lot more. I’m trying to be positive.

ESQ: You’re doing an excellent job.

JEN: Plus, we did better than anybody else in our division. Everybody had high hopes for the Cowboys, and look what happened to them. There was a lot of talk about the Giants, and they didn’t make the playoffs. The Redskins had a tough year. So all in all, I feel okay.

ESQ: Still, it had to hurt, watching that final pass from Vick get intercepted in the end zone, with under a minute left, right in front of you.

JEN: Yeah, we were so close. I really thought we were going to pull it out at the end. Unfortunately it didn’t work out.

ESQ: According to your bio, David Akers is your favorite player. He had an especially tough game.

JEN: I’m shocked, actually, at his two missed field goals. He’s one of the best kickers in the league. It’s just surprising because he’s normally so consistent for us.

ESQ: Gotta ask you one thing about him, though. Trailing by 11 in the fourth quarter, your Eagles drove the ball to the 16. It was fourth-and-one. Andy Reid sent out Akers, who missed a 34-yarder. Looking back, wrong move?

JEN: I think the safer bet at that point was the field goal. Akers is normally so solid, and I think the coaches had a lot of confidence in him. I don’t think the loss was on Andy. I think the field goal was the right move. Akers just missed it.

ESQ: Lotta talk from the booth about the conditions and those kicks. But how windy was it at field level, really?

JEN: It was really windy. I’m sure that that had some factor. Not that anybody’s making excuses. It was probably the windiest game of the season. And it was definitely the coldest game of the season.

ESQ: What did you think when you saw DeSean Jackson limp back to the locker room in the first quarter?

JEN: I was worried. It was nice to see him come back out, and he had a couple good plays in the second half. I would’ve loved for him to do a little more. I don’t know if he really had the opportunity though.

ESQ: Vick will be a free agent. Think he’ll be back next year?

JEN: I do. I think he wants to be in Philly. I hope he’ll be back. He’s one of the best quarterbacks the Eagles have ever had.

ESQ: Speaking of great quarterbacks losing, were you surprised to see the Saints fall to the Seahawks this weekend?

JEN: I was shocked, but happy. I always root for the underdog.

ESQ: Let’s run through some playoff predictions for this coming weekend. Seahawks at Bears?

JEN: Bears.

ESQ: Green Bay at Atlanta?

JEN: Of course the Falcons. I hope that they win.

ESQ: Jets at Patriots?

JEN: I’m going with the Jets on this one. I’m a Jersey girl. I’m pulling for the Jets.

ESQ: Ravens at Steelers?

JEN: Steelers. Gotta go with the fellow Pennsylvania team.

ESQ: So what’s your Super Bowl matchup?

JEN: Bears versus Jets. Jets win.

ESQ: What about the national championship game tonight, Auburn versus Oregon?

JEN: I’m not really the biggest college football fan, but I’ll say Oregon in a close game.

ESQ: Well we’re not really the biggest ballet fans, so what else can a guy do to impress you?

JEN: I like when a guy does super romantic things — when he’s a gentleman, when he opens car doors, when he gives you flowers for no reason, when he leaves you little notes. I know it sounds old-fashioned, but those kinds of things impress me.

Eagles Cheerleaders Around Town

Danielle and Jen
Danielle and Jen

A special Thursday Bud Light Party (to avoid conflicting with New Year’s Eve) featured Danielle and Jen at Chickie’s & Pete’s in South Philadelphia.

Danielle
Danielle
Jen
Jen
Cheryl and Kelsey
Cheryl and Kelsey

And a couple of weeks ago the Miller Lite Away Game Party headed for The Sticky Wicket in Hamilton NJ (right on the border between Philly fans and New York fans), with Cheryl and Kelsey.

Cheryl
Cheryl
Kelsey
Kelsey


[Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders]

Somers Point teacher during the week, Eagles cheerleader Tiffany Monroe is going to the Pro Bowl

Christopher Ramirez
Press of Atlantic City
December 31, 2010

A Somers Point teacher who is also a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader has been selected to the represent the team at the Pro Bowl.

Tiffany Monroe, a heath and physical education teacher at Jordan Road School in Somers Point, will travel to Honolulu to perform in the 2011 Pro Bowl on Jan. 30.

Monroe is a five-year member of the cheer team and a captain of the squad. Only one cheerleader from each NFL team is selected to participate in the Pro Bowl.

Monroe previously earned a bachelor’s degree in heath and exercise education and attended The College of New Jersey, where she was on the diving, crew, track and volleyball teams.

Earlier this week it was announced five Eagle players were selected for the Pro Bowl, including quarterback Michael Vick, wide receiver DeSean Jackson, cornerback Asante Samuel, kicker David Akers and offensive tackle Jason Peters.