Friday, April 2, 2010

Championships await Ladybirds and Cheerleaders



The University of Louisville Ladybirds go for their 4th straight national championship next week in Daytona.

We all like to cheer, right? On Monday, you have a chance to go out and support the groups that lead us in cheers and perform the top notch dance routines we get to see at Cardinal sporting events.

The UofL Cheerleaders and Ladybirds dance team will be hosting a Nationals preview on Monday, April 5th. at Manuel High School's main gym. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and admission is only $5.

Talk about a track record of success...the UofL Spirit groups swept the competition last year in large co-ed cheer, small co-ed cheer, all girl cheer and dance divisions. They are the only Division 1-A school to ever do this in the NCA/NDA competition. They're going for a repeat this year and also competing in two additional dance events.

The large co-ed cheerleaders team is attempting to win their 8th straight national title and the Ladybirds hoping to take their 4th straight championship. Both are records. Take that UConn women's basketball Huskies! (I know, the terminology sounds weird...they aren't actually LARGE cheerleaders...it refers to the group size).

Unlike the women's sports teams at UofL, the spirit groups have to raise their own funding to take part in events. They work tirelessly to raise this money all year long...including selling calenders, face tatoos and holding preview events. Just like the scholarship athletes, they take full class loads, go thru demanding practices and make countless apperances around the community to support Cardinal Pride and Cardinal Spirit.

If you've ever watched and enjoyed one of the stunning dance routines that the Ladybirds perform at a basketball game or marvelled at the amazing backflips, running forward flips, pyramids and jumps that these students perform for your pleasure...you know what to do. Get out there and support your spirit groups Monday and spring for a face tattoo or Cardinal calender the next time one of these hard working student atheletes approaches your tailgate party or seat.

Paul still wears his black "Go Cards" rubber wristband that he purchased in Memphis from one of the cheerleaders before the final game of the Conference USA tournament in the Fed Ex Forum. We all remember that game...a certain cocky Memphis hoopster had the chance to win it at the free throw line and couldn't find the net. Must have been the wristband. Beating Calipari can be so much fun, can't it?

Written by Sonja
4/2/10

No comments:

Post a Comment