UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 35, Page 5
June 25, 1992
Flying high; New Eagles cheerleader has wings on her heels

                    by Denise Arroyo
     Imagine a microphone in the middle of an otherwise vacant dance
floor. The empty wooded area is lined with 52 pounding hearts, each
anxiously awaiting a single name to be called.
     The table along the back wall is occupied by an impressive host
of local celebrity judges. A tuxedo-clad emcee leisurely flips over an
index card, revealing the name of the first contestant. Slowly, the
hopeful approaches the microphone, painfully aware of the television
camera zooming in on her face.
     At the request of the emcee, she gives a short biography of
herself in a feeble voice. The first judge greets her nervous smile
with a friendly, "hello," and then asks her two questions: "What do
you hope to gain from this experience?" and "What is a quarterback
sneak?"
     Her answers are carefully scored. Despite her shaking knees, she
proceeds to execute her carefully practiced dance routine. As she
performs, she secretly hopes the judges don't notice the nervous
twitch in her upper lip, the perspiration on her brow, the way her
eyes are darting from side to side. Three hours and 51 contestants
later, in a room filled with silent anticipation, the emcee calls out
36 names and proudly announces, "I now present the 1992-93
Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders!"
     Guess what. He called my name.
     I ran into the middle of the floor with my new teammates and
immediately was swept up into a flurry of tears, hugs and screams of
joy.
     Outside, my parents were also screaming. Although the tryouts
were closed to the public, my "shy" parents had managed to pry open
the door and listen to the list of names being called.
     I don't want to say they made a scene when they heard my name,
but...they did. You gotta love 'em'.
     That night marked the end of a month-long tryout process. The
program coordinators had been cutting contestants every week. Six
hundred and eighty girls came out for the initial cut. Thirty-six of
us made the team.
     Not bad, huh?
     Well, I've been on the team for a few weeks now, and it's been
the most exciting thing I've ever been involved in.
     My phone hasn't stopped ringing, as friends I haven't seen for
years offer their congratulations. It seems like the entire state
knows I made the team. (I'm sure my parents had something to do with
that.)
     I know, I know. Now I'm supposed to tell you that, although it
looks like a great job, being a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader is
just not as glamorous as it seems.
     Not.
     It's the most incredible experience I've ever had. Besides
cheering at the Eagles' home games, I'll be making at least 10
personal appearances at local charity and corporate functions. My
public awaits. You know how it is.
     Five days after I made the squad, I had a "hair and makeup
consultation" with the team's stylists.
     And that's only the beginning. At the end of June, I'll be posing
for publicity headshots. That's right, my own personal publicity
pictures to autograph and give out! People are going to be asking me
for an autograph! I still can't get used to the idea.
     In July, I'll be shooting the 1992-93 Eagles Cheerleader
Calendar. And we can't forget the new Eagles Cheerleader poster. Look
out Christie Brinkley!
     Now for a reality check...
     Cheerleading, really, is a lot of hard work. Our practices can
last anywhere from two to five hours. The dance routines are among the
most complicated I've ever seen. The two choreographers are
perfectionists and tough to please. They work us to the bone. And,
we're required to have a working knowledge of football.
     But when you love what you're doing, it doesn't seem that bad.
I'm having the time of my life. It's like a dream come true.
     Anyone want an autograph?

     Denise Arroyo is a senior communication major and former member
of the University of Delaware Precision Dance Team.