 |
| The 1986 Green Bay Packer Cheerleaders |
I have to say that 1986 was a memorable year. Yes, the Packers were 4-12
that year, so there wasn't much about the games themselves that was
memorable. But from my point of view -- and that would be right down on the
field -- it was a memorable year.
Cheerleading practice was long and
grueling, and then there was the dreaded "weigh-in" at the end of each
practice ... all for a paycheck of $10 per game. However, the feeling of
running out on to the field with nearly 60,000 fans cheering for the first
pre-season home game made me realize that all of the hard work and effort
was definitely going to be worth it!
From the photo sessions with fans in
the Lambeau Field parking lot, to the trips to Milwaukee County Stadium, to
becoming friends with some of the players, to personal appearances in the
community, to nearly getting run over by large men in the end zone, and last
but not least, to trying to see how many layers of clothing I could put on
for the December games and not look like the Goodyear Blimp ... each and every
week brought new adventures and great times.
 |
| Another cheerleader with Dick Butkus and Cheryl |
The only regret I had was
opening a letter from Bob Harlan in February 1987 that stated the Packer
Organization was no longer planning to have cheerleaders. At that point I
realized that the one great year I had just experienced was going to be it.
I had, unfortunately, reached the end of my career as a professional
cheerleader. It may have been a short career, but it was definitely sweet!
NOTE: Though the Packers no longer have their own cheerleading squad, they
do have an arrangement with the two local universities,
University of Wisconsin Green Bay and
St. Norbert College,
where the schools alternate in providing cheerleaders for each game.
|
