Cheerleading Forever!

A Chance Encounter with Shaq…..

            Of all the things to do in Scottsdale, how I wound up at a Guitar Center for a “drum off” is still a mystery to me! No sunset tours on horseback, no hot air balloon rides to view the scenery…nope…a music store surrounded by group of high school and college aged drummers in pants that were far too tight! Standing there, wishing I was somewhere else, I looked at the front door and there he was….. “Oh my gosh, it’s Shaquille O’Neal!” Of all places to run into one of basketball’s biggest stars, a music store?

            It took a while for people to figure it out which was a little odd considering in walked a very large 7 foot tall black man in a sea of very scrawny and pale teens! Having no interest in the drum off, I attempted to play the very casual “I’m just going to see where he goes without appearing like a stalker” game. Shaq went straight to the keyboard and synthesizer room and just started making beats and playing piano like it was his job! At this point, there was a small audience around him but he paid no attention and kept bobbing his head up and down to the beat.

            People started asking for autographs and this was my chance! I saw how gracious Shaq was to all of the moms and kids asking for pictures so I grabbed the 6’8” pitcher I was with and used that as my “in.” Having no shame, I walked right up to him and said, “I’m with a guy who plays for the Marlins and he’s almost as tall as you. It would be great to have a picture with someone taller than him.” I grabbed Sean and we all smiled for the camera while the athletes exchanged some quick banter! I don’t think I have ever felt so small in my life!

            Happy to have had my camera, I went back to the little crowd and continued to watch the drum off! Suddenly, I felt a whiff of something big and sweaty and there he was again, standing behind me, watching the drum off! By this point, we were BFF and Shaq gave Sean the standard “dap-fist pump-athlete man hug” type deal and said, “Good luck to you man!” Like two star struck teeny boppers, we nonchalantly followed Shaq and his new toys out to the parking lot and watched him get into his macked out black Charger. He posed for a couple of pictures for some kids and even put on a little strobe light display as he pulled away! I’ll pretend like I didn’t see the movie “Kazaam” because meeting him in person was a much better experience!

When I saw the boas and disco balls being moved into the aerobics room, I knew that I had to be part of whatever was taking place inside! Urban Striptease was coming to Acheive Fitness and the waiting list was already filled with 40 people per class. Having been a fan of Carmen Electra’s Stiptease workout videos, I quickly “cut” in line on the registration form, added my girlfriend Michelle to the class, changed my evening hair appointment and anxiously waited for the class that is changing the face of fitness.

            Urban Striptease is not your mother’s aerobics class nor is it for the faint of heart! Although the studio was filled with high schoolers, mothers and even grandmothers, one must not be afraid to loosen up and “bring sexy back.” Striptease aerobics classes are a fun new way to burn calories, get in shape and FEEL SEXY! To help get ladies in the correct frame of mind, we were all given “stripper names” with name tags – I was now “Heartbreaker” and my girlfriend was “Pa Pow (I definitely got the better moniker.) ”  Bouncing Bunny was in front of me, Cherry Surprise was behind me and with our new alter egos, we proudly took our places in line.    

            The lights were turned off, the disco balls came on and class began with three lines of women “sexy walking” across the dance floor to songs like “Scandalous” and “Promiscuous.” I was then selected to be the “line leader” for the next series of exercises, which included some squatting and a little crawling around on the floor. Although I tried to keep a straight face, I couldn’t help but laugh at myself and giggle a bit as my girlfriend and I led the pack of suburban swim team moms across the dance floor. Some women sped across the floor like they were walking on hot coals and I think we even lost a few who defaulted to the treadmills in the first 10 minutes of class. Others were completely into the class, closing their eyes and really focusing on the “sexy” aspect of the class (I couldn’t help but giggle a bit here as well.)

            When the “booty bop” started, I knew the class had begun! The pseudo suburban strippers, with their minivans and carseats or their Greek sorority life bumper stickers, lined up across the dance floor to be taught a choreographed, water down dance routine that any member of a bachelor party would be pleased to see. From body rolls to horizontal craws and thrusts, “Heartbreaker” and her friends were transformed from PTA moms and aspiring college students to one time exotic dancers. By the end of the class and with our clothes still on, we were out of breath and a little sore from our three minute routine!

Like any proud dancers, my girlfriend and I rushed to her mom’s house after class to show her our new routine. I felt like I was in elementary school again showing my mom the audition dance for the school talent show; however this dance probably wouldn’t have made the cut. We laughed while we inched our way across the kitchen floor to her mom’s clapping and laughter and high-fived each other after our grand finale hip roll and thrust. Aside from a great workout, Urban Striptease was a great way to bond with other women and enjoy a night unlike any other!  In fact, with the kids taken care of and our spirits rejuvenated, Michelle and I decided to grab a Jeep and go “muddin” until midnight. That wasn’t necessarily the plan but after getting lost in a field of bulls and then covering ourselves in mud (stay tuned for that blog), we laughed on the drive back home that all started with an evening of striptease. I highly recommend classes like these for everyone, especially those with a cheer or dance background, although I can’t promise what you’re new personality will want to get into once you leave!

               STAY IN SHAPE THIS SUMMER WITH DANCE FITNESS CLASSES

Who hasn’t been guilty of indulging in the occasional summer treat…ball park hotdogs, mom’s apple pie, ice cream cones that melt all over your hand or my biggest weakeness – Pillsbury sugar cookies! My lack of willpower has led to a couple of extra pounds and I am determined to take it off with my FAVORITE form of exercise, dance fitness classes. This is the perfect solution for those of you who hate the repetitiveness of running on a treadmill for 30 minutes or who are tired of your mom’s 1992 step aerobics classes! Dance fitness is just that – one hour classes of cardio intense dance choreography!

I first learned of these classes over the radio when I heard an ad for “Dance Trance,” a studio in Jacksonville that offered dance focused aerobics classes. I was especially drawn to the term “club style lighting” and tried my first class roughly two years ago! Of all the dance and aerobics classes I have taken in my life, I have to admit that I have never enjoyed a workout so much. The lights were dimmed, the illuminated disco balls came on, the temperature in the studio was increased and then the music started pumping. A host of very talented dance instructors lined up across the front and the dancing began! Each song, from Usher to Beyonce to Seether, had its own choreographed dance and with very little instruction, the idea was to just catch on! It’s normal to stumble thru an eight-count at first but once you master the routine, it’s an amazing feeling and an even better workout. I started making the hour long journey out to the beach each week and was in the best shape of my life – it’s the perfect dancer’s workout! Soon after, I got certified to teach Zumba, the Latin inspired dance fitness craze, but quickly found myself busy with a new job and fell of the dance fitness train.

Well I’m back! After receiving an email from Dance Trance about their latest class, “Urban Ballet” that starts next month, I’ve decided to reboard the fitness train and get back to my dancing roots! (If nothing else, my mother will be delighted that I’m in my toe shoes again.) Urban ballet is apparently the “funked” up version of traditional ballet that incorporates Top 40 music with choreography, stretching and strengthening exercises. This is exactly what I need to jump start my dancing again! If you’ve seen one of my favorite movies Center Stage, I’m sure you remember the scene where a host of dancers all come together in perfect choreographed sequence to split leap across the floor to the song “Higher Ground.” Stay tuned to see if I become a prima ballerina or if the Pillsbury Dough Boy becomes my late night dance partner!

The Top 5 Best College Cheerleading Uniforms

1. University of Southern California – USC certainly went against the grain and have traditionally sported the classic All-American cheerleader look! With the classic pleated skirt and long sleeved sweater, these girls rank at the very top of my list! Whether it’s the classy conservative look that makes it a winner or the popularity amongst male fans, USC takes first place in my play book!

1. Florida State – The Seminoles are my second pick for their diagonal, one shoulder uniform choice. Not every squad can pull this look off, but the girls at Florida State do a great job! I really like the angled NOLES lettering against the white background with garnet and gold trim! It’s tasteful yet trendy all in one! Maybe it reminds me of summer because it has a certain bathing suit quality to it or maybe it’s just because I went to FSU, either way, GO NOLES!

1. University of Miami – Having never been a huge fan of the Hurricanes football or baseball uniforms, strictly for font reasons, I am a big fan for their cheerleading uniforms. Let’s be honest, green and orange are not the most complimentary of colors but the uniforms incorporate just the right amount of color splash. I also like the style of the top and skirt…shows just enough without being over the top! My male friends would also like me to add that they feel that Miami has some of the best looking cheerleaders in the country…perhaps due to the fact that many of these girls go on to cheer for the Dolphins!

1. University of Oklahoma – I think the Sooners’ cheer gear is classic, flattering and maybe the most female friendly of all uniforms. Having been a cheerleader, I can certainly appreciate the angled top that compliments the abs in just the right places but yet hides any hint of a love handle. I also like the straps that highlight the shoulder muscles but avoid that weird upper armpit fatty area! OU looks great!

5. University of Georgia – The Dawgs red and black uniforms round up my selection for the nation’s best cheer uniforms. Not usually a huge proponent of the halter top for cheerleading, this high V style looks great on all of the girls. There is nothing here that doesn’t work – great vibrant color, tailored style and classic appeal! I’ll also vote for any team that plays and beats Florida!

“I want you to think of what you ate today. Got it? Now cut that in half, this is called a diet, people, everyone start one today! Darcy, you should stop eating. You see, when you skip a meal, your body feeds off its fat stores. And if you skip enough, maybe your body will eat your big behind!” Bring it On made a joke out of the stereotypical cheer coach “pep talk,” however do the latest trends in cheer uniforms subliminally put the same pressure on young girls to look a certain way?

It is no secret that female cheerleaders and dancers succumb to body image issues. With many squads setting certain height and weight requirements, it is easy to see why so many young girls feel the pressure to be thin. Add in the developing trend of midriff uniforms and hot pants and it is no wonder why image can be just as important as athletic ability in the cheer world. I have been to many cheer competitions this year and have seen enough rear ends to last me a life time. I know that hot pants are gaining popularity over skirts due to the fact that they are easier to tumble in and don’t flip up during routines. Although I don’t really see how cheering with a wedgie and all that is exposed with that look is any more appealing.

As a former cheerleader and dancer, I can surely relate to image concerns! My sports physical my freshmen year of high school read “4 feet 11 inches, 86 pounds.” I had been a flyer since my Mighty Might days in fourth grade and was nicknamed “Peanut” by the neighbors because of my size. Puberty set in and by senior year, I was no longer in the coveted flyer position but a base at 5’7” and 117 pounds (what I would give to be that size today!) I struggled with my growth and change of cheer position – I went from being front and center in the dance routines and at the top of the pyramids to being the tall girl in the back and the base in every basket toss. I vividly remember doing the Cindy Crawford work out tapes in my living room; focusing on my hips and stomach to make my cheer uniform fit better. Thank goodness I cheered at a Catholic school where our uniforms were conservative – I don’t think I could have handled the pressure of bearing my stomach in front of a crowd of people at 17!

Even NFL uniforms are decreasing in size which unfortunately rubs off on the teen cheer culture. I can not think of one NFL team that does not show their stomachs on the field. When I first heard that Vera Wang, famous for her wedding dresses and popularity amongst celebrities, would be designing the Seattle Seahawks cheerleaders’ uniforms, I was secretly excited for the unveiling. However, when they came out, I was disappointed to see that it was nothing more than a black and white sports bra and boy shorts – surely something more tasteful and attractive could have been designed. (Sorry Vera..I still love your wedding dresses!) Outfits like these leave nothing to the imagination and no room for forgiveness in the ab and hip area. It also doesn’t help that some NFL teams come out with lingerie calendars and when doing research for this story, numerous adult websites popped up with cheerleaders as their stars!
Of course cheerleading uniforms put pressure on girls to be thin and look a certain way! My question is this…what can parents, coaches or the media do to help reinforce positive body image if you cannot change the uniform?

I confess…I have a slight addiction to being tan! Having been raised on the beaches of Florida with a surfboard under one arm and a fishing pole in the other, I grew accustomed to having a year round golden glow. I have fond memories of spending my high school and college years on a board in the ocean, lying out on the beach or on a wakeboard behind our boat. My fair skinned Irish mother actually tried to convince me in college that the “browning rays” didn’t come out until 4pm in an attempt to keep me out of the sun. When “Jenny Corace” was called out for the indoor tanning package prize from my dorm at FSU, my roommates just laughed! I didn’t need it – I was already damaging my skin by spending countless hours at the beach and in the saltwater! Tanning took a backseat to the real world as I got older until I discovered “turbo tanning beds” and the Mystic Tan. Despite having several moles removed and starting off last fall with 16 stitches in my back and stomach, I still yearn to be tan!

After having a conversation with the high school cheerleader who works at the local tanning salon, I am shocked to discover that former beach bunnies and college co-eds are not the only ones who frequent the fake bake palace. There are women in their 60′s who want to be bronze beauties and sadly, girls in elementary school who are also trying to be tan. Many of these girls are cheerleaders who feel that they look better in their competition uniforms with a darker skin pigment. I understand that being a little darker hides cellulite, makes you appear thinner and looks better in pictures for the ever important world of My Space. (I admit it – my default picture was taken after spending the day at the beach.) Are elementary aged girls already concerned with these issues too? I guess I would be considered ignorant if I wasn’t already aware of this. I vividly recall going to the tanning salon and waiting behind a local high school cheerleader who was bargaining with the clerk about “trading time” from her mother’s account to her younger sister’s account. This was the first time that I was aware that it was even legal for preteens and elementary school aged children to tan. Apparently, with a parental release form, anything is possible.

After googling “cheerleading and tanning,” the very first sight that popped up was Varsity.com, the cheer industry’s powerhouse that owns EVERYTHING from NCA to uniforms. Obviously, the golden glow is heavily promoted in the cheer world! Although they offered sunless tanning solutions, I still felt it odd that an organization that deals primarily with young girls would emphasize the importance of being tan. To their credit, Varsity did stress that spray tans were the safer solution, however with the cost of one spray tan being $30 versus an unlimited tanning membership costing the same amount per month, it is easy to see why so many young girls favor the salon. Mystic Tan, marketed as the Official Tan of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and Jessica Simpson, is my sunless tan of choice. After getting a “wrist slap” from my dermatologist, I started visiting the spray tan booth more frequently and ignored the spray tan smell in exchange for healthier skin. This was a short lived experience however as my bank account could no longer afford my tanning quick fix. I understand the need to be tan, really I do, but is it worth it and at what cost?

My heart sank to my stomach as I clicked on the link entitled, “TANOREXIC Young Mother Dies of Skin Cancer.” I read the article about this young woman who died after years of tanning that started at the age of 14. The picture of her one year old daughter, who is now motherless because of a need to be tan, brought tears to my eyes. It reminds me of the time a mother stopped me in grocery store and said that she wanted to thank me. I was puzzled until she explained that her daughter heard me tell a group of girls at dance practice that I would not be visiting tanning beds anymore, favoring my Mystic Tan, after having several stitches removed earlier in that day from precancerous mole removal. She went on to explain that she really was grateful that someone changed her daughter’s opinion of fake tanning and sincerely hoped that I would continue to promote my favorite tanning sunless cream (Jergens) because it could potentially be saving the lives of many young girls.

I sit here now with a guilty conscious knowing that I have wasted more time at the beach and tanning parlor since that time than I have in a spray tan booth. I feel even worse thinking that I was looking forward to teaching my children how to surf this weekend knowing that I would be much tanner by Sunday afternoon. The “Saltwater Cowgirls” mother-daughter summer surf camp is now looking less appealing especially after a stranger remarked on how my children and I looked like the “picture perfect beach family with our healthy tans and blonde hair.” Although I have laughed and related to Kelly Ripa’s jokes about being a “tanorexic,” I suddenly feel the need to rekindle my relationship with Mystic Tan, call my dermatologist and step up on my soap box once again!

I had a brief break in the world of cheer website development to focus on building content for BASEBALL …which meant that I got to spend a couple of days with a minor league team! The Durham Bulls, the AAA team for the Tampa Bay Rays, graciously hosted me and my camera crew for four days as we documented the life of one of the Rays’ top prospects, Chris Mason!

Chris, known best for his pitching arm and various colors of hair, agreed to let SportsGist follow him around to let the viewers see what exactly goes on during the five-day rotation cycle of a pitcher! I have to admit that although I’ve heard players complain about road trips, little pay in the minors and the heat, the life of a baseball player is not a bad gig! Although… being the only girl at a ball field can have its ups and downs too. There were certainly some odd looks and comments when I first got to the field and an occasional ball would get thrown my way during fielding practice. I definitely felt a little out of place at first, especially when the grounds crew checked out my shoes each day to ensure that I wasn’t wearing heels. By day four and rain delay #2, I just switched to tennis shoes and a baseball hat and gave up on looking cute!

Pitchers throw every five days and on the day he pitched, Chris strolled up at field at 5:30 for a 7:05 pm game – rough! The game didn’t go as well as he would have hoped as he earned the loss off a 3-run homer! On Friday, Chris made an appearance at an elementary school where he fit right in discussing Wii Sports! He fielded very difficult questions like, “Umm when you play the Wii, what guy do you like to be” and “How hard do you serve in Wii tennis?” I think the kids totally lost interest in anything baseball when they discovered that Chris played video games…and by play, I mean compulsively compete until 5 am with his roommates. Interesting fact however, Chris Mason NEVER missed one day of school in his 13 years of schooling! His dad was a strong believer in the theory, “If you’re breathing, you’re going to school.” To me, this is much more impressive that winning Southern League Pitcher of the Year. Thirteen years and not a day absent? Remarkable.

The following two days, Chris arrived about two and half hours prior to game time to work out on the field and throw a bull pen. I also played a little catch with Chris and to many players’ surprise, did very well! Little did they know that the girl on the field was also quite the athlete in high school! During field time, different coaches and trainers worked with Chris on his mechanics, endurance and body strength. I got out there with Chris and had the trainer show me a couple of exercises. (Thank goodness the power went out in my hotel for two hours which left me without a hair dryer or straightening iron so I was already appropriately dressed in a baseball hat and workout clothes!) My favorites were the Crazy Eight torso twist with the medicine ball and the “woodchopper,” although I didn’t do this one for vanity’s sake. By the time Chris was being filmed doing these exercises, a small crowd had already developed making us seem far more important than we actually were.

Finally, game four of the week was delayed over two hours for a torrential down pour that blanketed the field! This left me sitting criss-cross applesauce in a corner, sharing pizza and funnel cakes with the team announcer and camera crew. I also spent a lot of time texting my friend on the opposing team. Apparently there was talk of some “tarp sliding” by the Charlotte Knights but apparently the GM did not think highly of that idea!

In my next life, I’m coming back as a baseball player…and I’d like to think that I’d be a first or second rounder due to my highly enhanced athletic prowess! After spending several days with a pitcher, I think I’d like to be an infielder so I could see a little more action and most importantly, so I could hit! I DEFINITELY could hit it over “The Blue Monster” in Durham so if there are any scouts reading this, keep me on your radar, I’m sure to be a “draft and follow” player!

Over my years I have seen a lot of good and bad in cheerleading. I’ve seen horrible spills, fantastic spins, jumps, and landings, as well as both positive and negative behavior that affects one’s cheer ability. Now I feel it’s imperative for me to show you the best ways to make sure you make the team you want to be on. Surprisingly to some, athletic ability is not the major attribute of a successful cheerleader. Positive mental attitude, a good look all mold the perfect cheer(excuse the Will Ferrell SNL reference). Here are five ways to ensure you make the team!!

1. Confidence Breeds Success- Be proud of your abilities as a cheerleaders and be confident in every move that you make. When a difficult stunt is thrown at you, be confident that you are the right person for the job and that you can complete the task at hand. Make sure you talk the talk and cheer the cheer.

2. Smile!!- No one wants to see a sad cheerleader. That’s why the word cheer is in the word, ok maybe not but smiling is key to putting the crowd in a good mood. Also make sure your smile is genuine. Don’t over-do it and make sure it’s relaxed so that you can prove to the judges that you truly love what you’re doing and not just faking it.

3. If You Don’t Stick the Landing…Keep Going!- Just because a landing didn’t go as planned and everything didn’t turn out perfect doesn’t mean you should just give up. Judges like to see perseverance in a cheerleader and seeing that you can overcome a mistake and still put on an awesome performance says a lot about your character.

4. Ask Questions- Don’t be shy or embarrased that you don’t fully understand a routine or what is going on in a tryout. Make sure you make yourself heard and fully comprehend what is going on. If you don’t you will look lost and confused and more embarrassed than if you asked the question.

5. Stand Out!!- Make sure the judges and instructors can see just who you are and how good you are. Don’t fade in the back where you’re best moves won’t be showcased. It doesn’t matter if you make some mistakes that probably wouldn’t be seen in the back, instructors are looking for cheerers who show that character that they love to be seen and perform well in the spotlight.

So there you go, my tips on being the best you can be. So now, go out there with the right positive mental attitude, proper physical shape, and perform you’re best!

By Sean Connolly

The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, the smell of a ball park hot dog and now the vision of irridescent pom poms between innings? America’s favorite past time is now introducing its other favorite past time, scantily clothed women, into its games! The NFL and NBA have cheerleaders, the NCAA has them at a majority of their sports, boxing and mixed martial arts have ring girls and even high school wrestling teams are now being cheered on for the pin! 

Leave it to the Walt Disney World Corporation to start this trend nearly 12 years ago to increase attendance at the California Angels games. In the beginning, the “Angel Wings” danced for booing fans on top of the dugouts and were criticized for blocking views. However, after management moved the team to right field and increased their role by holding dance offs and contests, fans quickly turned coat and the Wings were a success. Since that time, the Florida Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays, Cincinatti Reds, former Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres have all added cheerleaders to their entertainment lineup. Reviews of cheerleaders are mixed and leave owners and fans pondering the question, “Do cheerleaders belong in baseball?”

According to a poll on Yahoo sports, 54% of readers voted to bring on the poms while the other 46% voted to leave the cheerleadering to football games. The American public seems nearly split down the middle but fans in the Mexican, Korean and Dominican leagues are all for dancers on the diamond. In some foreign leagues, cheerleaders wear nothing more than a sports bra, boy shorts and thigh high boots so its no wonder why their popularity has increased throughout the years. Cheerleaders in these leagues become equally as famous as the players on the field.

I originally thought that my friends who currently play professional baseball would think that cheering on the dugout would lessen the integrity of the game or would cause distractions on the field but I could not have been more wrong! One player said, “One of the best parts of playing in Mexico were the cheerleaders!” When I asked about them being a distraction, he said, “Distractions can be a great thing, especially if the girls are hot, you’re not playing and you have to sit in the dugout or bullpen.” Another player in the big leagues said, “If it brings more fans to the game, I think its a great idea. What’s not to love? Hot girls, little outfits and baseball?” Only one player that I spoke to didn’t feel that cheerleaders and ball go hand in hand.  He stated, “Baseball has historically never had cheerleaders because we haven’t needed them. Its not as intense of a game like football or basketball. I like them for football, I just don’t think we need them on top of our dugouts.”

I’m still on the fence. As the granddaughter of a man who played baseball throughout the 30′s and 40′s, I respect the tradition and image of the game where fans came to see the hometown hero belt one out of the pak and the boys of summer played for passion and not acclaim. However, as a fan of the game and a former cheerleader, I can see why owners and management are looking to add a little something extra to increase the sport’s popularity. If baseball is America’s past time and cheerleaders are America’s sweethearts, why the difference of opinion?