Tampa Bay Lightning Girls

The Playoff light remains lit but it’s a very dim flame right now. Here’s hoping we’ll get a few extra postseason games for the Lightning Girls. Check back next week for the unveiling of which girls will be moving across town to cheer in the NFL. (Hint: they are pretty and talented). We added a batch of photos to our album, enjoy.

Captain Crystal, Alexis, Courtney, Meagan and Marissa.

Crystal and Kori.

Heather, Kori, Lindsey, Lizzie and Brianna.

Lindsey, Meagan and Lizzie.

Saundra and Alexis.

Brianna and Lindsey.

Marissa.

Alexis and Allison.

[Lightning Girls Gallery]

[Tampa Bay Lightning Girls]

Tampa Lightning Girls Perform To Capacity Crowds

Sold out crowds are becoming the norm at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. It could be because of the exciting winning hockey but I also think that the Lightning Girls are drawing more fannies to the seats. The NHL is a must see in person, television doesn’t do it justice and the Lightning organization knows how to enhance the fan and family experience with ticket specials, plaza entertainment and happy hour pricing before the puck drops. The third floor outdoor deck offers great panoramic views of the Tampa skyline and stays open for post-game TV and Radio shows. Come on down to the Forum, the hockey is being played at a playoff type fever—catch it while you can.

In concert with the Lightning’s 20th season anniversary theme here’s a few tidbits regarding the origin of the Lightning Girls. The LG’s were first seen on the sidelines in 1993 but after one short season did not resurface until 2002. In the beginning they were designated as “Ice Girls” helping Mr. Zamboni clean the skating surface during breaks. Over the years they left the ice to engage more with the spectators in the stands and suites and perform more dance routines. They now represent the Lightning as ambassadors in the Tampa Bay area and make a multitude of community appearances during the season. Many alumni have moved over to continue their cheerleading career with the NFL Bucs or AFL Storm. Enjoy the photos.

Crystal is captain in her fourth year. Kori is a rookie.

Brianna and the Lightning Vision Statement greeting fans at the entrance.

Alexis, Meagan, Lizzie, Courtney and Brianna.

Rookie Saundra and 3rd year Heather with Cap’t Crystal.

Allison is in her first year.

Kori, Lindsey, Allison, Saundra, Lizzie, Heather and Marissa on the outdoor deck between periods.

Lindsey (squared) 5th year and 1st year respectively

Lizzie, Allison and Courtney.

[Lightning Girl Gallery]

[Lightning Girls Official Webpage]

The Lightning Girls at the Tampa Heart Walk

Media analysts say that labor arguments in professional sports are between billionaires and millionaires and therefore no losers. That’s a over simplification because the supporting cast members of arena workers, fans and cheerleaders can easily be left out in the cold (or heat as in Florida). Hopefully the NHL will soon come to its senses before the entire season is lost forever.The Lightning Girls are not sitting on the sidelines however as they have taken the opportunity to increase their community involvement during this 20th anniversary year of the Tampa franchise.

This past Saturday I caught up with eight members of the squad as they were out supporting the annual Tampa Heart Walk at Raymond James Stadium. Some 25 thousand participants came out with multiple sub teams from the Lightning Organization. This years’ chairman for the popular event is Lightning General Manager Steve Yzerman. The Lightning Girl’s are managed by Kelli Yeloushan, Director of Entertainment and the captain this season is 4th year veteran Crystal Romano, an attractive articulate kindergarten teacher (and model) from Tampa.

I asked Mr Yzerman about the value of the Lightning Girls to the organization and his praise was glowing: “They have done a really nice job of engaging with our fans and guests at the many functions we’ve hosted and attended over the last three months. They represent the organization proudly with class and character…and we’re thankful for their efforts.”

I asked Crystal if her dancing bones were getting stiff from waiting for the season’s start and she said “absolutely not, just the contrary, we are out and about more as we acknowledge the Lightning’s 20th Anniversary”. Kelli tells me “the veterans have helped allay the rookies anxiety about the lockout and to just have fun. We have a very dedicated group of girls, who really enjoy their time with fans and being out in the community.”

Every negative presents positive opportunities and per Kelli the canceled games has allowed the squad to “make more community appearances and get involved in our outreach programs then they normally would be able to at this time of year. Their value as ambassadors cannot be understated.”

Here’s hoping a resolution is close at hand—for this fan it will be a boring winter without hockey and the Tampa Bay Lightning Girls performing. Enjoy the photos and remember to exercise your heart.

Team Captain Crystal

Megan, Alexis, Marissa, Lizzie

Crystal R., Kori, Allison, Lindsey

Group Photo

Lightning Girls with Thunder Bug

On Center Stage

Rookies Alexis and Allison

Race Start with GM Steve Yzerman

[Lightning Girl Gallery]

[Tampa Bay Lightning Girls]

T-bird cheerleader now a Lightning Girl

By JULIANA A. TORRES
TBN Weekly
Aug. 30, 2012

PINELLAS PARK – Lindsey Klinesmith, 20, has been cheering since she was 3, but she isn’t sure exactly what prompted her to try out as a Tampa Bay Lightning Girl.

“I just went out and did it, and I don’t know why,” she said.

“Because you miss cheerleading?” her mom and former Thunderbird organization president Kris Klinesmith asked.

It was her first time trying out at a professional level, and while Lindsey thought she would make it past the first round of cuts, she didn’t think she expected to make the team.

“I’ll be happy if I just make it to the finals and don’t make it past that,” she remembered thinking. “And then when I got the call, I was really excited.”

She told her mom the news first, who was so excited for her that she started crying.

“I was really proud,” Kris later said.

Lindsey said the audition process in July was fun, but challenging. In the second round of cuts, she and dozens of other hopefuls competed with seven other veterans from the previous season for 14 spots on the team. Lindsey said she realized that she was up against a lot of pretty, talented girls.

“We had to learn a dance in like 20 minutes, and then it was nerve-wracking with (the veterans) being there and them already knowing what was going on,” she said.

The last step of the auditions was an interview.

Lindsey said she didn’t tell many people that she was trying out for the team, in case she didn’t make it.

This year is the first she hasn’t coached with the T-birds, deciding to give herself more time to take extra classes to finish her associate’s degree at St. Petersburg College. She hopes to graduate next semester and get into a radiography program. Usually, the T-bird season is a big time commitment, with practices five days a week and games on Saturdays, not to mention at least three cheerleading competitions later on in the year.

“Without cheerleading, I probably wouldn’t have half of my friends that I have right now. It’s taught me to be on a team with other girls. It’s been a really fun experience,” Lindsey said. “We all went through cheerleading, and then we all went back to volunteering to coach. So it’s pretty much our lives.”

Lindsey also cheered at Pinellas Park High School, making captain of the team in her senior year. Currently, she works at the Winghouse in Pinellas Park, and admits to being more of a football enthusiast than hockey. When the Lightning team has its first game in October, it’ll be the first time Lindsey will see a hockey game live.

“I’m nervous to be out in front of everybody, because that’s a huge stadium. But I’m excited,” she said. “My coach said that, ‘It’s going to be a really great experience your first time.’”

Her other teammates come from all over the Tampa Bay area, the closest one living in Clearwater. Lindsey said she hopes to try out for the team at least one more year.

“I’m excited to start,” she said.

Tampa Bay Lightning Girl Auditions Are Next Month

When: July 29th, 2012
Registration: 10am- 11am
Preliminary Auditions: 11am
Final Auditions*: 1:00pm

Where: USF Sundome** Dance, cheer preferred, and skating experienced preferred but not necessary.

Audition Requirements: Audition Day is open to females over the age of 18 with a High School Diploma or GED. Must have flexible evening and weekend schedules for a once a week rehearsal, home games and appearances. Experienced ice skaters are a plus, but it is not necessary.

Material To Bring: Application requirements Bring photo ID to register Water, towel, snack Wear half-top or sports bra, hot shorts, skin colored tights, and dance shoes or sneakers. Wear full performance make-up and hair

What to expect:
Round 1: All applicants will learn choreographed material and perform.
Round 2: Advancing applicants will learn new choreographed material to perform. Those who advance will be brought in for interviews during the coming week. Although the auditions are dance based, final decisions are not made on dance skill and technique alone. Advanced dancers and beginners are invited out to participate in this fun day!

*Auditions are not open to the public, any additional guests will not be permitted.
**Check back here for specific details on parking and entry.
***Advancing candidates are required to remain at auditions.

[Tampa Bay Lightning Girls]

SI.com: NHL Ice Crews

This week, Sports Illustrated has photos from just about every team that has Ice Girls: the Ducks, Bruins, Flames, Storm, Blackhawks, Bluejackets, Stars, Oilers, Kings, Panthers, Predators, Islanders, Flyers, Penguins, and Lightning. Click here to go there now.