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Show Page 6 Tuesday, October 12, 1982 Kim Rockel: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader The Dallas Cowboy football team is often called "America's team." But just as familiar to most Americans are the beautiful Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. And one of those cheerleaders is former WSC student, Kim Rockel. For the past year and one-half, Kim has smiled, danced, and cheered her way through more than twenty Dallas home games and numerous nationwide appearances with the other 35 girls on the Dallas cheerleading squad. Kim started her cheerleading career at Weber State College in 1979. A communications major, she transferred to the University of Utah and was one quarter from graduation when she received word that she'd been selected for one of the much sought after positions as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. Kim's decision to try out for the Dallas squad was mostly a whim. She said she'd been dancing since she was three years old. She was active in the WSC Orchesis dance program and as a Wildcat cheerleader. "One day, my Mom and I were talking and decided it would be fun for me to try out for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders," she said. So she wrote for information, not really expecting a reply. But the application form arrived in the mail, and in March 1981, Kim was on her way to Dallas for the preliminary tryouts. Not knowing what to expect upon her arrival, Kim said she was really surprised when she l: i A it ! n if r'M I siff ft At st j rKfmi J walked into the Texas Stadium Clubhouse for the audition and saw a girl walk by with the number 525 pinned to her dress. It turned out that over 2000 girls from all over the United States and Canada were vying for the coveted 36 cheerleader spots. Although Kim had prepared a dance routine for the tryouts, she said she was "a little taken back at the competition." The girls were gathered into groups of about six and ushered into a rehearsal room where the judges were assembled. Each girl introduced herself and gave a short autobiographical sketch. Then, Kim said, disco music suddenly blared from overhead speakers and the girls were required to perform a one minute impromtu disco dance routine. Kim described the judging as severe and said she was "amazed .-that the judges noticed every little thing about each girl even though there were so many of us." After the audition, the girls were told the results of the judge's critiques. Kim said the judges advised her to wear brighter colored clothing and higher heeled shoes. Almost as quickly as she arrived in Dallas, Kim departed for Ogden nervously awaiting the results of her audition. She had been home only about one month when word arrived that she was one of the 150 semi-finalists.Kim quickly flew back to Dallas for the semi-finals. The girls had more preparation time and were required to learn a kickline-and-split routine. One of the abilities the judges will look for is the capacity to learn new routines quickly. One week later, Kim found out that she'd beat the odds-she'd made the finals! Kim returned to Ogden once again to prepare for the intense final competition. Since part of the finals tested the girl's general football knowledge and specific knowlegde of the Dallas football team, Kim prepared by contacting local radio and news stations to gather the information. She also worked diligently preparing a jazz and ballet routine for the dance competition. Back in Dallas at the finals, each of the 60 to 75 finalists was required to have a personal interview with Suzanne Mitchell, Vice-president and Director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Kim described Suzanne as an imposing figure. "She looks you straight in the eye and asks you questions. You better be ready to answer!" The football knowledge test consisted of about 35 multiple-choice questions. Kim said the questions ranged from asking the number of players on a team to which player was injured in 1979. She described the entire final competition as simply "scary." After a sleepless night, Kim received the news the following day that she was officially a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. "It was a dream come true," she said. A press conference was held following the announcement of the new team and Kim said she'll never forget the ex- Photo - v f)? -v 'i 4fJt ' . , - I f tt , , " i 1 te '''S-a&fcas&w4-'' Jf Salt Bl6A&64&2&&!$&&ti penence of being thrust in front of cameras and reporters. What she had thought was a "far-fetched dream" was suddenly a reality. And the reality of being a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader was all too soon apparent to Kim. The girls were given only 24 hours to relocate in the Dallas area. Rehearsals started immediately. Kim quickly moved in with three other girls on the squad and finished the quarter at the U. of U. by mail. The cheerleaders recieve only fifteen dollars per game and so are required to work or attend school fulltime. Practice is held almost every night from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.. Kim works for a psychologist and said that after a long day at work it's sometimes hard to look forward to the night practices. The courtesy of Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders girls must learn approximately fifty routines. For every five-minute dance routine performed at a game, the girls will spend 30 hours in rehearsal. If one rehearsal is missed, the cheerleader will not be allowed to participate in the next game. If two or more rehearsals are missed, the cheerleader is in danger of being dropped from the squad. The girls must maintain strictly enforced grooming standards. The cheerleaders cannot appear in public barefoot, without makeup, or with curlers in their hair. No gum chewing or smoking is allowed while the girls are in uniform or during rehearsals. The cheerleaders are also forbidden to date any of the Dallas Cowboy football players. While Kim said she understood the reasons behind the rule, she said she was a little disappointed at not being able to meet the Dallas Cowboys. She said knowing the players would make her cheering job more personal. "At Weber," she said, "we knew all the players and that made it easy to cheer them on." While she loves her job as a" Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, Kim said she doesn't know how long she'll continue to tryout for the squad. "Most girls are on the squad for two or three years, although one girl was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader for eight years." When she finally leaves the team, Kim said she'll finish the quarter of school she lacks toward her degree. And then, she said, she'll permanently settle in Dallas. As the daughter of an Air Force officer, Kim has travelled all over the world and the United States. According to Kim, she's finally found her niche-Dallas. "I love it here," she said, " and I've made Dallas my home." |