Saintsations
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Saintsations is a cheerleading and dance squad that performs at New Orleans Saints football games. The Saintsations are involved in several community projects, and the squad is featured each year in a special swimsuit calendar.
The New Orleans Saints had two different sets of dance teams prior to the Saintsations: From 1967-71, the original Saints dance team went by several different names including the Lousiannes in 1967 (which was changed to the Saints Dancers after one pre-season game for that name had been copyrighted by a Louisiana-based high school), the Mademoiselles in 1968, & the Mam'selles from 1969-71. The roster size averaged 48 dancers per year.
The original dance team was put together by Tommy Walker, the long-time entertainment director of Disneyland who worked for the Saints during the 1967-70 football seasons. His choreographer was Phyllis Nelson, a long-time New Orleans area dance instructor & voice coach who briefly worked as a film actress for RKO pictures in the mid-1950s & was Miss New Orleans for the Miss USA pageant in 1954. Mrs. Nelson was also team director from 1969-71, replacing Joannie Husser (1967-68). One of Mr. Walker's assistant entertainment directors was Rhonda Shear, who became a popular TV commercial actress in New Orleans before becoming a national TV star primarily thanks to the USA Network's "Up All Night" series that ran in the 1980s & 1990s. Rhonda worked in her capacity with the Saints for most of the 1970s.
Saints dancer Sandra Labourdette (1967-70) who was once the original team's captain later became the first choreographer of the Saintsations (1987-93).
The second set of Saints dance teams were from 1975-77 called the Bonnes Amiees which were re-organized in 1978 and became the Angels. The Angels got disbanded three weeks into the regular season over some personnel issues. The Bonnes Amiees averaged 16 dancers per year on their roster, the Angels 24.
In 1987, Saints General Manager Jim Finks suggested bringing back a dance team to the sidelines which would work in conjunction with the Saints cheerleaders (acrobatic), which had been part of the team since 1967. Under further organizational thought from Saints entertainment director Barra Birrcher (director from 1971-2007), a tryout was held in the spring of 1987. 27 dancers were chosen to be part of what was initially called "The Saints Dancers" before a contest was held where more fans chose the name "Saintsations" over any other suggestion. Ironically, the first year of the Saintsations was also the first year the Saints football club had their first-ever winning season & first playoff appearance. The roster size would vary over the years from 30, 32, 36, 37, & as high as 40 dancers in 1997.
The dance team would also appear on the international stage by performing in London in 1990 and Tokyo in 1993 where the Saints played pre-season games, ironically the Saints won both of those pre-season games.
Original Saintsation Angie Waguespack took over as choreographer from 1994-1999. Another one-time Saintsation Lani Quagliano (1994-99) would follow as choreographer in 2000.
The greatest change in Saintsations history occurred in 2001 when American All-Star Inc., based on the northshore of Lake Ponchartrain (north of New Orleans), took over the rights to the dance team and created new marketing, promotions, and costume designs that gave the fans a greater variety of dance routines & looks. American All-Star is operated by Leslee Fitzmorris & Royce Mitchell. Saintsations choreographers since 2001 included Angie Waguespack, Elizabeth Portwood-Gibson, Steven Boss, and director Kristen Rapp. The average roster size under American All-Star has been in the low 30s.
Under American All-Star, the Saintsations have especially become international ambassadors of goodwill by touring with the USO to military bases in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and other locations to provide entertainment & reassurance for the U.S. Military. They also appear at countless functions in the New Orleans area for charitable, non-profit, and commercial organizations. The Saintsations also have their own charitable foundations. Every year the Junior Saintsations program allows girls under 18 get to perform on the Superdome floor with the dance team before a Saints game.
Historically, the Saintsations biggest merchandise sales comes from their annual calendar sales. Most of American All-Stars' calendars (2002-2006) were shot in Florida while their 2007 edition was done in New Orleans. The first Saintsations calendars ran from 1989-1995 and were mainly shot in the New Orleans area.
The Saintsations have also sent a member to the Pro Bowl every year since February 1993.
[edit] Notable members
PB = Pro Bowl Saintsation & Year Game Was Held 1)Lori Carroll(PB93-1987-96)); 2)Stacy Chien Rumney(PB98-1991-2001); 3)Traci Breaux Marchetta(1992-99); 4)Rochelle Brunner(PB97-1988-96); 5)Erica Spruille(PB95-1991-98); 6)Angie Waguespack(PB94-1987-93); 7)Christi Cado(PB2003-1997-2004); 8)Rhonda Hemelt(1987-94); 9)Melissa Zeno(1987-94); 10)Tamica Lee(2001-05); 11)Ava Allen(1987-92); 12)Sherri Zundel(1989-97); 13)Lindsey Williams (PB2006-early 2000s); 14)Sherry Serio(1992-99); 15)Vanessa Sardi(2001-05); 16)Tori Nunez(PB2008-2003-07); 17)Jayne Phillips(1987-94); 18)Deryn Derbigny(PB2005-2001-04); 19)Lena Nuccio(PB96-1987-95); 20)Julie Burmaster(1994-99); 21)Denise Trahan(1987-88,90-91,94); 22)Tina LeBreton(1987-89,92-93); 23)Paula Scalco(1994-98,2000); 24)Lisa Hollister(2002-05); 25)Leisha Fleming(1988-94); 26)Cana Rivero(PB2002-1999-2003); 27)Tabitha Henry(PB2001-1995-2001); 28)Lani Quaglino(PB2000-1994-99); 29)Kirsten Aucoin(PB2007-mid 2000s); 30)Samantha Cazalot(1992-96); 31)Charlene Hibbs(1987-93); 32)Shari Haley(1994-98); 33)Charis Garner(early-mid 2000s); 34)Teri Moore(PB99-1994-99); 35)Stacey Perez(1992-98); 36)Lisa Brumfield(1987-91); 37)Michelle Alford(1987-90,93); 38)Melanie Wester(early-mid 2000s); 39)Shannon O’Brien(1995-99); 40)Christine Simeon(1993-97); 41)Michelle Callahan(1995-2000); 42)Natalia(don't have last name)(early-mid 2000s); 43)Callie(don't hae last name)(2003- ); 44)Carleen Tullier(1991-95); 45)Raquel White(1992-95); 46)Suzette Lampard(1992-93); 47)Tiffany(don't have last name)(2003- ); 48)Jackie Huck(1987-90); 49)Kristine Mauterer(1989-92); 50)Val Stevens(1987-90,94); 51)Christi Hebert(1994-97); 52)Laurie Maffei(late 1990s-2001); 53) Stacey McDaniel (2004-2007); 54) Alana Weber (2002-06)
[edit] External links
- Saintsations home page
- Saintsations at the New Orleans Saints home page
