I'm PUMPED Playoffs have started!!! Our team is doing phenomenal and I think this will be OUR year. This season has been such an exciting one for me. Coming back for my second year was nerve wracking because you never know if you'll be chosen back or not. However, our lovely coach was oh-so-kind to trick each one of us with a phone call hinting that we weren't chosen, which in turn made most of us start crying... before we got the BEST news we could hear at that time lol! I love my team this year and I am so proud to be a part of the 08-09 Cavalier Girls. Everything about our team this year is new and exciting. This is probably the most well-rounded, talented team yet! I love being at every game and I truly believe I have one of the best jobs! You can't beat the rush you get dancing in front of thousands of fans, or being there every game when the intro's start! Not to mention countless opportunities we have; and also, let's not forget, I get to dance during Playoffs!!!
I was fortunate enough in September to travel overseas for the first time and be a part of the NBA Jam Van in Berlin, Germany; as well as in Paris, France. That was the experience of a lifetime for me and I feel blessed to have had the chance to go there. It was some fun bonding time, but also tricky trying to speak the languages-we tried though. We shared unforgettable memories to bring back to the States, and I'll never forget that.
One of my best memories, and one of my biggest accomplishments, came in October when our coach, Jami, surprised us with our 2008-2009 Cavalier Girl Swimsuit Calendar release party! After much anticipation and nervousness, I was revealed as the 2008-2009 Cover Girl of the BEST Cavalier Girl Calendar to hit the Cavs team shop (THANKS SO MUCH FOR VOTING!). This is the best calendar because not only is it classy, but its so sports/Cavs oriented... "And that's what's up"!
All in all this season was great and every game made you want to get up and yell, but now its Playoff time and we have OneGoal. I love how you CavFanatics bring even more energy to Playoffs...the intensity has definitely risen! Each game is CRAZY! So let's keep it up fans and help cheer our team to victory, because YOU make the difference! This WILL be our year...Get Pumped, Rise Up, and let's make the other teams "Learn About It"!
Hey you CavFanatics!!!!!!! I have one question...........WHERE'D THE SEASON GO? We are less than one month away from playoffs -no joke! This season has been A-MAZING and I know playoffs are going to be even better! This is my 2nd season as a Cavalier Girl and I must say that I love every minute of it! This is the best dance team that I've ever been a part of and the most talented as well! Everyone has such a deep passion and appreciation for dancing and performing, so it's not surprising that our chemistry as a team was there from the very beginning!
This has to be one of my favorite times of the year! I am a die-hard basketball fan so considering March Madness and playoffs are back-to-back, I'm pretty excited! Since this is my 2nd season, I have a better idea of what to expect and I'm not so terrified of the intensity that playoffs tend to give off! One thing I must say that I'm looking forward to this playoff season is the watch parties! For anyone that has never been to a watch party, they are usually held at a local bar or restaurant within the Cleveland area. There's usually food, games, raffles, etc ...and everyone watches the game together! I personally like them because we get to watch the game and interact with the fans on a more personal level. The best part is how excited the kids get when we come and hang out at their table with them or take pictures. In addition, the further we get into playoffs, watch parties will also be held at the Q and you can enjoy the game in real-time on the Q-Tube for FREE! It's a complete game night experience except the team isn't actually there! Now tell me that doesn't have you about ready to scream out LET'S GO CAVS! If you haven't been to one, this is definitely the year to go to! I'm sure details will be on cavs.com the closer we get to playoffs!
Speaking of this being OUR year, did I mention that we have a Championship caliber team and that we are going all the way??? It is such an exciting time and it is a wonderful opportunity to be apart of it all! Cavs fans this is definitely going to be a fight until the finish so we need YOU to stay PUMPED, keep cheering and be the OUTSTANDING fans that you are! You all truly show Cleveland undeniable support and it's going to be you that will help our Cavs see this through to the end! So be ready for an incredible playoff season and be prepared to tell anyone that doubts Cleveland to pay attention and as us Cavalier Girl's would say...LEARN!!!!!!!!
What an awesome experience this has been for me joining the Cavaliers family during such a victorious season! The exhilarating energy from the fans in the arena has made the games so exciting for me. Every time I step into the arena, I still get the same chills and excitement I felt when I made my debut on opening night. The entire game presentation and crazy devoted fans are what truly makes the experience of a Cavs game so thrilling!
My season actually began the end of June when I received a phone call at work that I was one of 16 girls to make the team. I was working on the sales floor and somehow hid my cell phone in my pencil skirt waiting for my phone call. When I saw Jami was calling, I hurried up and ran outside to answer. Of course, knowing Jami, she played a trick on all of us by making it seem like we were not chosen for the team. But shortly after, she turned our almost tears around to a "Congratulations, you are a member of the 08-09 Cavalier Girls!" I can't even describe to you the feeling I experienced from the phone call that day. Let me tell you, it's not as easy as it may seem to be a member of this team. It takes a ton of heart, talent, hard work and dedication. That line of congratulations that day meant so much more to me than just a spot on this team; it meant that I truly have accomplished and deserved my dream. Knowing that I am standing where I am today based on these ambitions is such a rewarding experience for me. But most of all, being able to stand amongst and learn from one of the most beautiful, deserving and talented dance teams in the NBA is even more rewarding.
Speaking of rewarding experiences, seeing my picture revealed as Miss December 2009 in the annual Cavalier Girls Swimsuit Calendar was such a breathtaking moment. It took a moment to realize that it was actually me in that photograph. I definitely had to pinch myself a little to make sure I wasn't dreaming haha! We trained very hard at the beginning of our season to work towards this calendar, and went through a pretty long and tiring day of shooting with no idea of how our pictures turned out. On the night of our calendar release party, Jami planned it so that we thought we were just dressing up to go out to a team dinner. She took us to the first floor of the Q, and as soon as we got off the elevator we were shocked to see our families standing there in front of us. I was so surprised!!!!! I immediately starting crying upon seeing my parents faces. Once inside, they revealed our calendar pictures one at a time and everyone was so shocked and thrilled with how stunning their picture turned out. The calendar is absolutely beautiful and very classy while still most importantly, representing for the Cavaliers!
Most of all, the games thus far this season have been incredible! Every member on the basketball team seems to be such a good fit and great force to lead us to the Championship this year! It's crazy to think that just last year I was also a huge fan sitting up in Loudville cheering on the Cavs. Now, I'm still a huge fan, but I get to sit on the court cheering a few feet away from the players or dancing center court in front of the entire arena. Being able to dance and entertain every game in front of such enthusiastic fans is the most exhilarating moment of my life! What could possibly be better than the opportunity to do what you love in the presence of the best fans in the NBA, while cheering on the best team in the NBA....nothing! J Keep it up fans, YOU are what keeps this Cavalier family strong!
This is my first year as a Cavalier Girls Dancer and what a year to start!!!
I found out back in June that I was one of only four rookie members on the Cavalier Girls dance team. I could not have been more excited about making the team! Although practices were intimidating at first, the veteran members of the team definitely made us feel welcome. They have been so helpful and so supportive throughout this season. Everyone is willing to lend a helping hand and spend extra time to make sure us rookies know what we are doing.
Being a rookie can be tough because most of the time you feel lost! I get confused about locations in the arena and am not always sure which elevators and escalators take you where you want to go. Also, keeping track of the game day script can be a challenge! Thankfully, our captain Erica always has it under control and knows what is going on! Being a rookie is also tough because the veteran members have all danced together for at least a year. They have the "Cavalier Girl Style" mastered, and they naturally blend perfectly together during performances. Blending in with these amazing dancers takes a lot of work and a lot of extra practice!
As far as the season goes, this was unquestionably a GREAT year to start dancing for the Cavs. The team is doing awesome and there is definitely an electrifying atmosphere at every single game. The most exciting part of the game for me is right before tip off. When those lights go off, the flames start flying, and the crowd starts to get pumped up, I literally get goosebumps every time. I constantly catch myself looking up at the crowd of over 20,000 fans and thinking "I cannot believe I get to do this." It truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I am so thankful I have gotten to experience.
The veterans have told me that as the season progresses and we head toward play-offs, it is only going to get better. I can't wait!!! I hope that my first season as a Cavalier Girl is also the first season that the Cavaliers win the NBA Championship!!! Looking at how good the team is playing, I truly believe this could definitely be our year.... GO CAVS!!!!
