I can’t think of a better way to start this blog about cheerleading than to share some information about the cheerleaders of America’s team, the Dallas Cowboys. Probably everyone when they think of cheerleaders imagines the Cowboy Cheerleaders. They are America’s Cheerleaders!
Even if you root against the Cowboys, you can appreciate the beauty and skill of the women who root them on from the sidelines.
Dallas Cheerleaders on the sidelines
For the girls and women out there, here’s an inside look at what’s involved in being a Cowboy cheerleader. For the men out there, here’s an opportunity to discover that there’s a lot more than looking good involved in cheerleading.
For Cowboy cheerleaders, there’s a combination of great perks but also real community service involved. Here’s the way the Cowboy website describes it:
“Perform at sold out Cowboys games in Texas Stadium; Travel to exotic locations on Annual Calendar Shoot; Entertain US military troops throughout the world on USO Tours; Appear on national television special while participating in Auditions airing this fall on CMT; Lend time and talent at community service events; Share your knowledge and experience with kids at CAMP DCC; Bring smiles to residents of nursing homes and hospitals; Perform at professional hockey, baseball and basketball games; and Receive extensive training in dance and vocal techniques.”
Working with young people
By the way here’s the audition schedule for the new squad: PRELIMINARIES: Saturday, May 10, 2008
SEMI-FINALS: Sunday, May 11, 2008
FINALIST PANEL INTERVIEWS: Friday, May 23, 2008
DANCE FINALS: Saturday, May 24, 2008
But for you young women living in Los Angeles or Florida, please remember the requirements: High school graduate or have a G.E.D.; you must live in (or relocate to) the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and have reliable means of transportation; you must be able to attend all rehearsals; and you must be 18 years old by Preliminaries.
A lot of people assume that being a Cowboy cheerleader is a full-time, but that’s not true. Many cheerleaders have jobs or attend school and some spend much of their time raising children.
And people want to know whether there are set rules about height and weight. According to the website: “You should look well proportioned in dancewear. We DO NOT have specific height and weight requirements, however, a lean figure is demanded by our uniform.”
You need a variety of skills if you want to make the team and the Cowboy judges focus on the following: Dance Technique; Enthusiasm; Poise; Showmanship; Personal Appearance; Personality; Energy; High Kicks; and Splits.
And if you think it’s just about how you look and your athletic ability, don’t forget the other parts of the audition process: there’s a personal Panel interview with the judges. Then there’s a written test to check your general knowledge about the Dallas Cowboys Organization, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders history, the National Football League, and current events.
And as the website notes: you’ll be required to perform a ninety second individual talent presentation, (e.g. – singing, dancing, dramatic interpretation). “This will be your opportunity to impress the judges with your creativity and talent. Bring two copies of your music on CD or cassette tape. You may wear whatever costume design you wish to enhance and complement your performance. If your talent is singing, make sure there are no lead vocals on your accompaniment CD or tape.”
If you’re good enough you may just find yourself in next year’s calendar. For the moment, meet some of this year’s Cowboy Cheerleading team.
Cowboy Cheerleader Brooke Sorenson
Cowboy Cheerleader Andrea Rogers
Well this is just the beginning for us at cheerleading4ever.com. See you next time. And for those of you in the Dallas area thinking the time is now, we wish you the best of luck!