Worth Cheering About
by Kama Korvela, special to U.S. Figure Skating Online.jpg) |
Not surprisingly, many of these on-ice cheerleaders got their start in figure skating. Since the early 1960s, cheerleaders have been a part of the University of Minnesota's ice hockey games. The Gopher hockey cheerleading team is well known on the collegiate circuit.
It is recommended to skaters who try out for the U of M team that they at least have reached intermediate freestyle. Each candidate must attempt a double jump of her choice in addition to an Axel, a layback spin and several other advanced skills.
Like all athletes, members of the Gopher hockey cheerleading team spend hours perfecting their skills.
"The team spends each summer learning cheerleading skills and routines and cheers for the stands, because most of our candidates who try out haven't been cheerleaders before," hockey cheer team coach Kristina Hefty said. "During the fall, the team spends most of its time on the ice working on routines, though one practice per week is still dedicated to cheerleading."
Like the Gophers, the University of Southern California Ice Girls showcase their skills for hockey audiences. They perform during USC's club hockey team's games and are a much newer outfit than their cold-weather counterparts, having formed this past fall. "We took advantage of that fact that all of the girls this past season were figure skaters, so they had choreographed performances during the intermissions of some of the games, incorporating traditional figure skating with elements of cheerleading to create a very unique, very USC presentation," said Johnny Nguyen, assistant general manager & executive director of operations for USC ice hockey and manager of the USC Ice Girls.
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Some team members still compete. Niki Huenergardt represented the USC Figure Skating Club at the Pioneer Open competition in Denver, helping the team take third place.
Hanabusa enjoys being on the ice and showing her school spirit.
"Being a part of the Ice Girls has been very exciting," she said. "It not only supports USC and its Trojan spirit, but it also gives me the opportunity to continue my passion for figure skating. There's nothing more exciting than to participate in something I love to do and support my school."
The National Hockey League also uses former figure skaters to boost audience participation at its games. The Eye Care Associates Storm Squad, the official fan development team for the Carolina Hurricanes, includes Shantel Jordan, who won the 2004 U.S. junior pairs title with Jeremy Barrett.
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Though the Storm Squad is more of a fan development group rather than cheerleaders, Jordan feels the team's role is an important one.
"When it comes to a 'Canes game, the focus is always on the game first," she said. "But the Storm Squad tries to add to the experience. It is our job to be the loudest fans and to lead by example."
For many of the performers, the interaction with the fans is just as important as the game.
"The Ice Girls are there to support the hockey team and acknowledge the fan base, because they are the ones who keep the team going," Huenergardt said.
Huenergardt says the fans are equally appreciative of what the cheerleaders bring to the game.
She said, "Who doesn't want to see cheerleaders on ice?"
