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Neighborhood Report

A time and a place to dance

Bucs cheerleaders' practices tend to motivate patrons at two local gyms.

By STEPHANIE HAYES
Published August 4, 2006

Forget rah-rah, sis-boom-bah, pleated skirts and awkward, teetering pyramids.

These cheerleaders bring it. They shake hips, swing hair and execute detailed dance moves, all while looking photo-shoot-ready. And that's just rehearsal.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders rehearse weekly at Lifestyle Family Fitness centers in Hyde Park Village and near Westchase.

Some lucky gym patrons get a front row preview of routines that most people see only at Raymond James Stadium during football season.

"It's great," said Matthew Hess, 28, who ran on a treadmill facing the cheerleaders' glass-encased rehearsal space at the Westchase location recently. "It's worth the price of admission."

Others burned calories on elliptical machines and bikes, stopping to visit a particularly popular drinking fountain near the rehearsal space.

Beyond the glass, the 28-member squad danced for more than three hours. Cheerleading coordinator and choreographer Sandy Charboneau stood at the helm.

There was nary a ponytail or runny bit of eyeliner in sight. The women epitomized the word "coordinated" - black dance sneakers, black pants, crystal-logo baby doll T-shirts, sparkling stud earrings.

"It helps to rehearse when they're all wearing the same items," said Charboneau, a former Buccaneers cheerleader. "If they're not wearing the same items, it really looks sloppy, so you're not able to see and clean a routine."

The uniformity also shows a public sense of pride for the organization, said cheerleader Jennette Harshman, 25, a four-year squad veteran.

"We were chosen for the team based on talent and a whole package," she said.

This year's squad was chosen in April. Members learned their first six routines from an at-home DVD, keeping questions and individual learning curves from bogging down rehearsals.

"With 28 women, it would get very difficult if everyone was talking at the same time," Charboneau said. "You want to get the job done. They're professional cheerleaders. Their time is important."

The cheerleaders range in age from 18 to 32. Most are full-time college students or have professional careers.

Being a Buccaneers cheerleader is a volunteer position - "a full-time hobby," Charboneau said.

There are perks. Cheerleaders have traveled to Japan and Germany for games and have been in swimsuit calendars and photo spreads in national magazines. They do volunteer work and make hundreds of appearances each year.

And then, of course, there is the attention that comes with rehearsing in a neighborhood gym.

"If you sit in this section, it's a little extra motivation," said 24-year-old Mike Hudak of Westchase, who watched the rehearsal while riding a stationary bike.

For Jessica Meikrantz, watching the women dance caused personal reflection. The 24-year-old from Palm Harbor, after spending 30 minutes running on a treadmill, was worn out and sweaty.

"Obviously, I'm extremely jealous. It kind of makes you realize your own personal strengths, and that's not one of them," she said, pointing at the cheerleaders.

Cheerleaders said onlookers at the gym don't usually faze them. They're used to a stadium full of screaming fans. And, after all, they come there to work.

"It's almost like we don't even notice them," said Catherine Croake, 32, a five-year veteran. "We're in our own little world in here."

Stephanie Hayes can be reached at 269-5303 or shayes@sptimes.com

[Last modified August 3, 2006, 10:52:35]