Dear Duke cheerleaders...

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

Where is the "leader" in cheerleader? The ECU team OWNED you tonight. You gotta do more than dance to the band, bless your hearts.
Love, Ima

[CathyCA]

I noticed last night that several of the Duke cheerleaders need to go up a size or two in their skirts which were so tight that the skirts were pulling horizontally across the girls' pelvic regions and revealing their cheerleader briefs. (I'm trying to write this as diplomatically as possible. . .)

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

Yep. It was sad. During the hottest,most intense part of the game, ECU's bunch took the floor and led their crowd in loud, effective, unified call backs. They took ownership of Cameron. Our little girls just sat in a row on their behinds and watched.

They have a job to do. It's called leading the crowd. Somethin's gotta change. They don't even join in when the Crazies start their own cheers. They still just sit there. What are they even there for? We have the "Dancing Devils" (don't get me started on THAT) to dance. Who needs both to just do the same thing?

It's probably not the girls' fault. They basically need a coach who understands what cheer leading is supposed to be -- one capable of changing the culture.

The guys on the team shouldn't have to play the game and wave their arms to encourage the crowd at the same time. There are what, about eighteen ? girls out there whose job is to do the latter. grrrrrrrr

Thanks for giving me room to rant. whew.

Love, Ima

[Turk]

I noticed last night that several of the Duke cheerleaders need to go up a size or two in their skirts which were so tight that the skirts were pulling horizontally across the girls' pelvic regions and revealing their cheerleader briefs. (I'm trying to write this as diplomatically as possible. . .)

Wait, what?!?
Must... not.... go... there...
not even riding on a camel...
Earljam, help! I need you!!

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

I noticed last night that several of the Duke cheerleaders need to go up a size or two in their skirts which were so tight that the skirts were pulling horizontally across the girls' pelvic regions and revealing their cheerleader briefs. (I'm trying to write this as diplomatically as possible. . .)

Wait, what?!?
Must... not.... go... there...
not even riding on a camel...
Earljam, help! I need you!!

You and EJ are missing more than THAT! They do back flips down the length of the floor and by the end, those tight and stretchy little skirt thingies have ridden up and are stuck practically over their heads. They definitely need you guys to help stretch them back down where they belong.
Love, Ima

[CathyCA]

I noticed last night that several of the Duke cheerleaders need to go up a size or two in their skirts which were so tight that the skirts were pulling horizontally across the girls' pelvic regions and revealing their cheerleader briefs. (I'm trying to write this as diplomatically as possible. . .)

Wait, what?!?
Must... not.... go... there...
not even riding on a camel...
Earljam, help! I need you!!

You and EJ are missing more than THAT! They do back flips down the length of the floor and by the end, those tight and stretchy little skirt thingies have ridden up and are stuck practically over their heads. They definitely need you guys to help stretch them back down where they belong.
Love, Ima

It's not just the backflips. The skirts are too small.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

The skirts are too small.

NO, they are NOT!

[DevilWearsPrada2.0]

I noticed last night that several of the Duke cheerleaders need to go up a size or two in their skirts which were so tight that the skirts were pulling horizontally across the girls' pelvic regions and revealing their cheerleader briefs. (I'm trying to write this as diplomatically as possible. . .)

Cathy, I noticed that also on Monday night. I said something to the lady sitting beside me. I was sitting 5 rows behind the Players Bench. There were a couple of the girls that needed to have skirts a size of two larger. Or either, go workout and condition with the athletes. And avoid late night snacking and Fast food.

Back in my day......... On our Cheerleader and Dance Teams, If you were a few pounds too fluffy......... You Didn't cheer or dance for that Game!!! You can't do that these days.

And I stayed for the first half of the Ecu/ Norfolk St game on Monday night. The ECU cheerleaders and Pirate have always been great on leading their Fans in Cheers!!!!

I agree with all of Cathy's and IMA's comments!!!!

[DevilWearsPrada2.0]

The skirts are too small.

NO, they are NOT!

On 2 or 3 of the girls........ The skirts were too small! Others around me on Monday night We're saying a few of the girls, were a bit fluffy. Its more noticeable........ when your uniform is too tight, and rides up on your back side. And you can sit belly roll with a short top on.

Bless their Cheering Hearts!

I want our Young ladies to look the best they can out on the Stadium Floor!!! And lead the Crowd in Cheers!!!

[Cheermom]

It is always helpful to get feedback from fans about the cheerleaders. Most of the comments are about how much the cheerleaders add to events and how noticeable their absence is, especially in venues where other schools bring their cheerleaders. There are explanations or back stories for all of the issues raised in this thread, but many would not be appropriate to discuss in a public forum.

One in particular can be shared and would be helpful for fans to understand. The NIT preseason games on Monday and Tuesday had to follow tournament format which means the cheer squads have to rotate their times on the court for media timeouts and their times standing under the baskets for team-called timeouts. When it is not a squad's turn for a timeout, the squad is supposed to remain seated and silent in the spot where it sits during game play. It is just a matter of timing as to whether the squad has its turn for a timeout during a heated part of the game or not.

Feel free to PM me if you would like to discuss any of the other issues. It would also be helpful for me to have a better understanding of some of the comments made so that I can share them with those who might have some influence.

[DukieInKansas]

It is always helpful to get feedback from fans about the cheerleaders. Most of the comments are about how much the cheerleaders add to events and how noticeable their absence is, especially in venues where other schools bring their cheerleaders. There are explanations or back stories for all of the issues raised in this thread, but many would not be appropriate to discuss in a public forum.

One in particular can be shared and would be helpful for fans to understand. The NIT preseason games on Monday and Tuesday had to follow tournament format which means the cheer squads have to rotate their times on the court for media timeouts and their times standing under the baskets for team-called timeouts. When it is not a squad's turn for a timeout, the squad is supposed to remain seated and silent in the spot where it sits during game play. It is just a matter of timing as to whether the squad has its turn for a timeout during a heated part of the game or not.

Feel free to PM me if you would like to discuss any of the other issues. It would also be helpful for me to have a better understanding of some of the comments made so that I can share them with those who might have some influence.

Does this apply to bands playing also? I've always wondered since the Kansas band never seems to let the other band play at tournament venues. It has always made me think their director is a jerk.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Yes, pep bands have to alternate playing during time outs. Before the game I'm thinking they can "compete", but I'm not sure.

I'm guessing the Kansas band director is a jerk.

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

I have no doubt that the girls are giving it their all and doing everything they are allowed to do for the team. And I understand the concept of "taking turns" during time outs. That etiquette goes back to the stone age when I was on a squad. What I lament is that their important job (that of understanding the game and what they need to help the crowd do at any particular juncture) has been usurped and they've been re-packaged into simply dancers.

The fans around us at Wallace Wade tried so very hard during the last game to start chants that the boys could hear. We wanted so much for them to know we were behind them at appropriate times. The efforts fizzled because there was no one down front to lead us. Pretty soon we got tired of hollering all alone and give up.

I've watched the metamorphosis since the early 70s when the then cheerleaders began losing control of Cameron to the Crazies. Once the antics of the Crazies started making the administration too nervous, the band was encouraged to play and drown them out at every single opportunity, leaving no chance for interaction between the cheerleading team and the crowd.

I'm afraid it's really the band that people miss when its not there. Without the band, the cheerleaders have absolutely nothing to do. ECU had no band there with them in Cameron and yet they pulled their crowd together and led them. It was effective. Had the situation been reversed, what could our cheerleaders have done? What routines and cheers do we have for that scenario? I can't think of any.

I'll shut up now. I know it's a trend that took hold when the Dallas Cowboy "Cheerleaders" were invented. This old dinosaur just misses real cheerleading.

Love, Ima (thought we had a soap box smilie)

[DukieInKansas]

Yes, pep bands have to alternate playing during time outs. Before the game I'm thinking they can "compete", but I'm not sure.

I'm guessing the Kansas band director is a jerk.

I thought that when they were playing Arizona in the Regional finals in CA. Of course, KU having beaten Duke to get to that game may have colored my judgement but it was two days later and I was ostensibly rooting for KU at the time.

The cheerleaders were missed in Chicago. It appeared that it was an alumni band and the small numbers let them be drowned out by the KU band quite easily. And KU not taking "turns" didn't help.

[windsor]

I'll shut up now. I know it's a trend that took hold when the Dallas Cowboy "Cheerleaders" were invented. This old dinosaur just misses real cheerleading.

Love, Ima (thought we had a soap box smilie)

I agree with you completely Ima


Leading cheers is the reason for their existence. Dancing about to Devil with the Blue Dress on is just pointless. Don't even get me started on dance teams...(says the former dancer so I am NOT anti dancing!)

On the skirt too small issue - I don't care if the girl is as a size 4 or a 14 - the uniform should fit properly. seams should not be screaming for mercy. Skirts should not ride up because they are tight. improperly fitted clothing looks bad. period.

[CathyCA]

I'll shut up now. I know it's a trend that took hold when the Dallas Cowboy "Cheerleaders" were invented. This old dinosaur just misses real cheerleading.

Love, Ima (thought we had a soap box smilie)

I agree with you completely Ima


Leading cheers is the reason for their existence. Dancing about to Devil with the Blue Dress on is just pointless. Don't even get me started on dance teams...(says the former dancer so I am NOT anti dancing!)

On the skirt too small issue - I don't care if the girl is as a size 4 or a 14 - the uniform should fit properly. seams should not be screaming for mercy. Skirts should not ride up because they are tight. improperly fitted clothing looks bad. period.

I want to be very clear here that I am not talking about the size of the cheerleaders, their weight, their fitness, eating habits, workout routines or anything personal, other than the way the skirts fit some of the girls. The cheerleaders appear to be in great shape. The appropriate way to fix this issue is not with diet, exercise, weight loss tricks or anything else other than getting a better fit. The easiest way to resolve this matter would be in going up a size or two on the skirts. Alternatively, the cheerleaders could seek the assistance of a competent seamstress and fitter when getting their next set of uniforms.

[windsor]

I'll shut up now. I know it's a trend that took hold when the Dallas Cowboy "Cheerleaders" were invented. This old dinosaur just misses real cheerleading.

Love, Ima (thought we had a soap box smilie)

I agree with you completely Ima


Leading cheers is the reason for their existence. Dancing about to Devil with the Blue Dress on is just pointless. Don't even get me started on dance teams...(says the former dancer so I am NOT anti dancing!)

On the skirt too small issue - I don't care if the girl is as a size 4 or a 14 - the uniform should fit properly. seams should not be screaming for mercy. Skirts should not ride up because they are tight. improperly fitted clothing looks bad. period.

I want to be very clear here that I am not talking about the size of the cheerleaders, their weight, their fitness, eating habits, workout routines or anything personal, other than the way the skirts fit some of the girls. The cheerleaders appear to be in great shape. The appropriate way to fix this issue is not with diet, exercise, weight loss tricks or anything else other than getting a better fit. The easiest way to resolve this matter would be in going up a size or two on the skirts. Alternatively, the cheerleaders could seek the assistance of a competent seamstress and fitter when getting their next set of uniforms.

I did not for a second think you were snarking about waistlines or fitness. Only FIT. It could simply be the skirts ran small, and in some cases ordering their 'usual' size resulted in a poor fit.

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

Yes, nobody here is criticizing the team of women, just the powers that be who are running it all.

But, I would think the girls themselves would rebel at having to pull the dang stretchy straight jackets back down from their necks and get dressed again after an athletic move. I imagine gymnasts don't use costumes like those for that reason. Ooops. There I go again. I said I was shutting up.
Love, Ima