The Houston Texans cheerleaders have made appearances around the world entertaining American servicemen in foreign lands. In the past year alone, the dance team has performed in Iraq, Japan and Honduras.
Now the Houston Texans cheerleaders are coming to Huntsville to join in a patriotic celebration that will make Sam Houston State University’s football home opener Saturday, Sept. 25 a night to remember.
“Hillcrest Ford Heroes” will honor the valued citizens of Walker County who are military veterans or members of area police and fire department emergency services. The salute is sponsored by Hillcrest Ford, Huntsville’s dealership for Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Hyundai sales, service and collision repair located just off southbound Interstate 45 at Exit #114.
The celebration is part of Bearkat Family Weekend at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium when Sam Houston plays host to the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs from North Carolina. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. Texans cheerleader programs manager Alto Gary sees the group’s appearance at Sam Houston as an opportunity to interact with fans and to show gratitutde to the men and women who help protect our community’s freedoms and safety.
“The girls are truly excited to be part of this event,” Gary said. “The Texans Cheerleaders do so much more than perform at Reliant Stadium. Going out and relating with fans on a one-on-one basis is a most rewarding activities.”
When Bowers Stadium gates open at 4:30 p.m. Saturday Sept. 25, the Texans Cheerleaders will be available to meet fans and sign autographs just inside the north gate under the stadium scoreboard.
The Houston Texans appearance is part of a partnership between the Texans and Sam Houston as the Bearkats and Stephen F. Austin move the “Battle of the Piney Woods” rivalry game to Reliant Stadium, home of the Texans, for the next four years. The 2010 “Battle” will be played Saturday October 23.
Two members of the Houston Texans cheerleader squad have special ties to Sam Houston Bearkats as graduates of the university.
“I started dancing when I was 15 and had intense training in ballet, jazz and modern at Sam Houston,” three-year squad veteran from Houston Vanessa said. “Special appearances like this one are great. The best part is talking to the fans and getting to know everyone.”
Megan, now a high school dance instructor, is a first year member of the Texans Cheerleaders. She was selected to the squad after intensive auditions in July in which more than 600 hopeful girls participated.
“The excitement of being on the squad is so hard to explain,” Megan said. “There’s a lot of hard work that goes into gearing up for the season, but it’s worth it. I’ve been dancing for 20 years and earned my bachelor’s of fine arts degree in dance. Appearances are a lot of fun. The fans are so enthusiastic.”
Alto Gary is one of the National Football League’s most respected cheerleader program managers. She is a one-woman show, serving as choreographer, manager, costume designer, image consultant and recruiter for the dance team.
A classically trained dancer in modern, jazz, tap and ballet, she is a former member of the Raleigh Civic Ballet Company. She has worked with NASCAR, the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets of the NBA and the World Championship Wrestling Nitro Girls.
“When the girls make an appearance, we tell them just to enjoy themselves and be gracious,” Gary said. “The trips aboard to visit troops are especially rewarding. The servicemen have been working hard. Showing them how much they are appreciated is a once in a lifetime experience.”
Three groups of Texans squads visited Iraq, Japan and Honduras during the summer.
“We actually do a pregame show just like we do for games at Reliant and then a halftime show,” second year cheerleader Nicole said. “I was with the group that went to Japan. After the show, we would go to the mess hall, sit down in normal clothes and dine with the troops. They make you so proud to be an American.”
Showing both pride in America and in the Huntsville and Sam Houston State community is what the “Hillcrest Ford Heroes” and Bearkat Family Weekend is all about.
“Hillcrest Ford is proud to be part of a night we join to honor those who keep our community safe, welcome the parents and families of our Sam Houston students to Huntsville and root the Bearkats to victory in their opening home game,” Hillcrest Ford general manager Justin Wright said. “Blending all these aspects into one thrilling event is amazing. To have the Houston Texans Cheerleaders involved just makes it that much more exciting. I hope all the fans realize what a great night this is going to be and come take part.”
Other activities for the Bearkat Family Weekend football game on Sept. 25 include a fly-over and landing of U.S. Army helicopters, a march from the Sam Houston mall to the stadium led by the Bearkat marching band, special military displays and the Army ROTC rock-climbing wall at the pregame tailgate and a halftime march of the SHSU ROTC battalion with local veterans, police and firemen.
Immediately following the game’s final whistle and the playing of the Sam Houston alma mater, the event will close with a fireworks extravaganza presented by Magic In The Sky of San Antonio, Texas’ premiere fireworks display company.
Game time at Bowers Stadium for Saturday’s Parents’ Weekend matchup between Sam Houston and Gardner-Webb is 6 p.m. Live coverage on KSAM 101.7 FM begins at 5:30 p.m. and on the internet at www.gobearkats.com . KSAM will also broadcast live remote reports from the two-hour tailgate party at Bearkat Alley just north of the scoreboard end of Bowers Stadium.
Bearkat single game tickets are on sale at the Sam Houston athletic ticket office in the Ron Mafrige Fieldhouse south of Bowers Stadium from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fans can purchase Bearkat Family Weekend football game tickets online or by calling the Sam Houston Athletic Ticket Office at 936 294-1729.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading …
Posted in 
Add to Google
Is it for the 25th Sept or the 25 of Oct???? GOt dates mixed up!!