Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
History
History
1960s
Before the founding of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders (DCC), the football team's cheer squad was a male-female group called CowBelles & Beaux. The group made its sidelines debut in 1960. Local high school students made up the squad. It was typical of other cheerleading teams throughout the 1960s, rarely getting much attention. At that time, cheerleading was more about, as its name implied, exhorting the audience to show their support for the team. Seeing the cheerleaders was rarely a reason for watching football at the time. In 1969, it was decided that the cheerleading squad needed a new image and the decision was made to drop the male cheerleaders and select an all female squad from the local high school cheerleaders in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. At this time the name CowBelles and Beaux was dropped and the squad became the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.[citation needed]
1970s
Preparing for the 1970 season, Cowboys manager Tex Schramm decided to change the cheerleaders image to boost attendance. At first the main change was to create an all female squad and change the uniforms and style of cheerleading routines to be more towards dance and less like high school or college cheerleading squads. The ten local high school cheerleaders that were selected for the 1970 season were also involved in the task of totally redesigning the uniforms and creating new dance style cheer routines under Dee Brock's direction and with the help of the current choreographer. In 1971, the qualification rules changed to allow not only local female cheerleaders to compete for a spot on the squad, but also high school drill team officers. Then in 1972, Texie Waterman, a New York choreographer, was recruited and charged with auditioning and training an entirely new female squad which would all be over 18 years of age, searching for attractive appearance, athletic ability, and raw talent as performers. And since the 1972 squad consisted of adults, this allowed the possibility of again redesigning the uniforms to introduce the more revealing sexier look closer to what you see today.[citation needed]
This group, The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, first appeared on the sidelines during the 19721973 NFL season.[citation needed]
Even greater national attention came in 1978 when the squad was on two network TV specials, NBC Rock-n-Roll Sports Classic and The Osmond Brothers Special on ABC. In 1978, they had their own hour-long special to launch the season for Monday Night Football.[citation needed]
On 14 January 1979, the made-for-TV movie The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (1979) aired. Starring Jane Seymour, it had a 48% share of the national television audience.
1980s
On 13 January 1980, a sequel to the original TV movie called The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders II (1980) aired. Throughout the years, they have had many other TV appearances.[citation needed]
The cheerleaders have toured throughout the US (on and off field) and overseas. Included in this are regular appearances in United Service Organizations (USO) tours. This started in the Christmas of 1979, for US troops stationed in South Korea. This has remained a regular function for them.[citation needed]
2000s
The cheerleaders release an annual swimsuit calendar.[citation needed]
As of 2009, the director of the DCC was Kelli McGonagill Finglass, and the choreographer was Judy Trammell.[citation needed]
Since 2006, the cheerleaders have been featured on the Country Music Television/CMT reality television series Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team, where hundreds of hopefuls try out to become members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.[citation needed]
Uniform
The uniform itself is a carefully guarded trademark and may not be duplicated in any way without the written permission of the DCC. The internationally recognized ensemble of blouse, vest, and shorts was originally designed by Paula Van Wagoner of the Lester Melnick store in Dallas.
Modifications
Since first introduced with the formation of the squad in 1972, the basic uniform has been modified only six times:[citation needed]
In May 1989, the original "go-go" boot had gone out of style, and a more western oriented design was selected.
In 1991, the large buckled belt was left behind in favor of shorts with a more flattering cut.
In 1992, a cowboy-style boot was introduced to the uniform
In 1993, crystals were added to outline the fifteen stars on the vest and shorts.
In 1994, a more western shape to the blouse lapels was incorporated.
In 1999, crystals were added to the fringe line of the vest.
Each modification has been approved by Director Kelli McGonagill Finglass and implemented by Leveta Crager, who for twenty-four years made and hand tailored every uniform worn by a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. Upon her retirement, at the start of the 1996 season, designer Greg Danison was selected to continue the tradition of individual craftsmanship.[citation needed]
Off-field television appearances
The squad has appeared on variety of TV shows and specials, as performers, guest acting roles, and game show contestants. Some of the shows they have appeared on are:
The Love Boat - Episodes #62 and #63 - One cheerleader has an unwanted admirer follow her on the ship. Another is hit on by her mom's fiance. As a group the cheerleaders perform their routines.
Family Feud - Participated as a team, on celebrity special for charity against the Cowboys on the week of 30 June - 4 July 1980.
Harry and the Hendersons TV Series - Made guest appearance on show.
Billy Bob's New Year Special for CBS.
Nashville Palace Show (1981) - Hosted by John Aylesworth.
Saturday Night Live.
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
The Late Show with David Letterman.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team.
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?- Participated on a celebrity special for charity in 2008.
Photos
The DCC on board USS Harry S. Truman.
The DCC visit U.S. sailors on board USS Nimitz.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders come to a forward operating base in Iraq to entertain troops.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders kickline.
References
^ "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: History". DallasCowboys.com. http://www.dallascowboyscheerleaders.com/history/history.cfm. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
^ Dingus, Anne. "The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders". Texas Monthly: Read Me. Texas (Emmis Communications). http://www.texasmonthly.com/ranch/readme/cheerleaders.php. Retrieved 2006-05-31.
^ "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders History". Dallas Cowboys. http://www.dallascowboys.com/cheerleaders/history.cfm. Retrieved 2006-05-31.
^ "TV Land Presents The Love Boat". http://www.tvland.com/shows/loveboat/ports2.jhtml. Retrieved 2006-05-31.
External links
Dallas-Fort Worth portal
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Official site of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders at the Internet Movie Database
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders II at the Internet Movie Database
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Dallas Cowboys
Founded in 1960 Plays in Arlington, Texas Headquartered in Valley Ranch, Irving, Texas
The Franchise
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1971 1977 1992 1993 1995
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Seasons
1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Current League Affiliations
League: National Football League Conference: National Football Conference Division: East Division
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National Football League Cheerleaders
AFC East
Jills (Bills)
Cheerleaders (Dolphins)
Cheerleaders (Patriots)
Flight Crew (Jets)
NFC East
Cheerleaders (Cowboys)
None (Giants)
Cheerleaders (Eagles)
Cheerleaders (Redskins)
AFC North
Cheerleaders (Ravens)
Ben-Gals (Bengals)
None (Browns)
Steelerettes (Steelers)
NFC North Honey Bears (Bears)
None (Lions)
Cheerleaders (Packers)
Cheerleaders (Vikings)
AFC South
Cheerleaders (Texans)
Cheerleaders (Colts)
Roar (Jaguars)
Cheerleaders (Titans)
NFC South
Cheerleaders (Falcons)
Topcats (Panthers)
Saintsations (Saints)
Cheerleaders (Buccaneers)
AFC West
Cheerleaders (Broncos)
Cheerleaders (Chiefs)
Raiderettes (Raiders)
Charger Girls (Chargers)
NFC West
Cheerleaders (Cardinals)
Cheerleaders (Rams)
Gold Rush (49ers)
Sea Gals (Seahawks)
Categories: Dallas Cowboys | Culture of Dallas, Texas | Cheerleading organizations | National Football League cheerleadersHidden categories: Articles needing additional references from August 2009 | All articles needing additional references | All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from November 2009
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
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