information collected from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders Website.
They were there when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers first took the field on July 31, 1976, and they were there on January 26, 2003 when the franchise finally took home the Lombardi Trophy.
They are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders, and they’ve been entertaining fans of the Buccaneers for over 27 years. Just as the Bucs have evolved from a struggling expansion team to World Champions, the Buccaneer Cheerleaders have developed into one of the National Football League’s elite sideline squads. With their winning personalities, attractive uniforms and intricate dance routines, the beautiful women of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders have become an important part of the game day experience for many Bay area fans.
The Cheerleaders’ impact is not limited to game day, however. Each year, members of the squad are in high demand for local community appearances, and they are a welcome part of every offseason team function, from FanFest to the Super Bowl Ring Ceremony. In addition, select members of the group serve as ambassadors for the NFL across the country and overseas. Just in the last few years, Buccaneer Cheerleaders have visited Asia, Germany, Egypt, Canada, California, Hawaii and Texas, often bringing encouragement to U.S. servicemen and women abroad.
HISTORY
Until 1999, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders were known as the SwashBuclers. The name was changed to forge a stronger association with the football team which, since its purchase by Malcolm Glazer in 1995, the introduction of new colors and logos in 1997 and the opening of Raymond James Stadium in 1998, had become one of the NFL’s strongest and most recognized franchises.
The name change accompanied an overhaul of the squad’s image. In the seasons since, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders have made an unprecedented number of community appearances, both local and across the globe.
In the early years, the SwashBuclers danced on the sidelines to the music produced by a Buccaneers band. The original uniforms matched the franchise’s old color scheme: orange, white and red, with white boots and feathered hats.
The uniform of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleader has evolved steadily over the past 27 years, and it continues to change on an annual basis as the team seeks to present the fans with new and exciting looks.
The biggest change, of course, occurred in 1997, when the franchise adopted new team colors and logos, and the cheerleading squad followed suit. Though the uniform has changed every year since, and varying pieces and accessories allow the cheerleaders to present different looks at different games, many of the elements are constant. Red tops, short pants and skirts and long, black boots are generally included in the outfit, and puffy sleeves are common as an homage to the romanticized pirate appearance.
Key changes in recent years include jagged edges to short skirts, again emulating the pirate look, and heeled boots, as the team focused solely on dance performances rather than stunting. This season, the team has unveiled such alternate outfits as football jerseys and shorts and a halter top with an armband.
TODAY’S TEAM
The 2007 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders squad is comprised of 30 talented and dedicated women, including athletes, educators, professionals, businesswomen, mothers and full-time students. While not working at their jobs, rehearsing or performing at a Buccaneers home game, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders stay busy volunteering a considerable amount of time to various community organizations. The squad makes approximately 300 community appearances every year for both non-profit organizations and corporate events.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders take pride in projecting a modern,cutting-edge image. The choreography is fresh and demanding, and the team practices constantly to produce dynamic dance routines, pre-game and halftime shows and kick lines.
The team made its first international debut in the summer of 1999 when a member was selected to be one of six NFL cheerleaders to spend 10 days in Japan with “The NFL on Tour.” While in Japan, she taught cheer and dance clinics to cheerleaders participating in Japan’s summer professional football league.
THE AUDITION
Hundreds of women audition every March for a chance to become one of the next Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders. Current squad members must also re-audition each year.
For some women, the audition process begins with pre-audition classes. Pre-audition classes are held the week prior to auditions and are optional, informational choreography classes meant to give candidates as much insight into the program as possible before they try out.
Many women do not realize the time commitment, hard work, dedication, and regulations involved in being a Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleader. The pre-audition classes allow Charboneau to explain exactly what women are getting into before they proceed to try out for the squad. Charboneau also uses the classes to teach basic dance choreography so candidates can get a feel for the dance style and pace at which routines will be taught the day of auditions. The actual audition routine is not taught during pre-audition classes; however, class members do receive a CD of the audition music.
Days after pre-audition classes, preliminary auditions begin. The first day includes two elimination rounds during which candidates are judged on such criteria as showmanship, appearance, dancing ability, high kicks and splits. Up to 100 candidates are chosen to advance to semifinal auditions the following day.
Fifty finalists are selected from the 100 semifinalists to advance to interviews and training camp. Each finalist must attend a 30-minute personal interview. Interviews are weighed with as much importance as dance ability, and top candidates display friendly, ambitious, outgoing and giving personalities. The squad seeks genuine women with real lives, realistic goals and a dedication to be the best.
In addition to the interviews, candidates attend a four-night training camp. At the conclusion of the strenuous camp, up to 36 squad members are chosen to be the new Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders.
