Grizzlies’ dance team choreographer is on the ball
Published Monday, March 24, 2008
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Lacy Seagren, the Grizzlies dance team choreographer, talks about how she got involved with the footbal team and the other work she does for the Grizzlies
On the morning of the Fairbanks Grizzlies’ game against the Odessa Roughnecks, dance team choreographer Lacy Seagren was fielding phone calls from fans looking for tickets. At the same time, she was running the dance team through a new section in their routine for that evening.
“There’s only two of us in the office, so we take on a lot of responsibilities, especially since (team owner and Intense Football League president Chad Dittman) can’t be in town all of the time,” Seagren said. “Me and John Thies do all of it — we’re a pretty good little team.”
Seagren and her boyfriend, Tim Church, learned about the Grizzlies from a newspaper article talking about the new indoor football team coming to Fairbanks. As a joke, she suggested he should try out for the football team and she would try out for the dance team. Before too long, however, the joke became reality for Seagren. She originally approached Dittman about trying out for the dance team, only to find out he didn’t have a choreographer yet.
“The dance team tryout was also my tryout,” Seagren said. “If Chad didn’t like the choreography, we would have someone else.”
But she had nothing to worry about. Dittman said he was not only was he impressed with her choreography, but Seagren also did a great job organizing and running the tryouts.
The only dancer in an artistic family, Seagren started tap dance lessons at 8 years old and quickly moved into other styles. Although her favorite style is lyrical, Seagren said her strong point is hip-hop. When it comes to her choreography, inspiration usually strikes while she’s driving or when she’s trying to fall asleep. But she doesn’t do it all herself — when she gets stuck, she often asks her dancers for input.
“We all get together and figure what comes next,” Seagren said.
Dance Team member Ashley Gardener said Seagren isn’t just her boss, she’s like a sister.
“We’re thankful to have her,” dance team member Mynoir Benson said.
The feelings are mutual. Seagren said the girls on her team are some of the kindest people she knows.
“They’re all real sweethearts,” she said.
In the week leading up to a home game, the dance team meets five times for practice and has a practice the morning of the game, Seagren said. When she’s not working with dancers, she’s in the office taking care of the dozens of ticket orders that come in by phone or through the Grizzlies’ Web site. She also arranges sponsorships, helps organize travel for the football team and takes care anything else that might need to be done for the Grizzlies. During games, she sits on the sideline, making sure everything goes smoothly.
“She’s the kind of person who will work as many hours as she needs to,” Dittman said. “She’ll do anything for anyone.”
In addition to wearing multiple hats for the Grizzlies, Seagren is also taking night and correspondence courses. With a course load that ranges from library sciences to women’s studies, Seagren isn’t sure what she wants to focus on, but if she stays on course, she’s on track to earn an associate’s degree in September.
“I think that would be a good place to take a break from school,” she said.
September will be a busy month for Seagren, who is pregnant and has a due date in that month. Seagren isn’t sure, but she thinks her newest guilty pleasure, Slim Jim beef jerky, is due to the pregnancy. One thing she is definitely sure about, however, is time management. In addition to her work with the Grizzlies, her school work and the expected new addition to her life, Seagren is careful to take care of herself and get enough food and sleep.
“Right now, sleep is the most enjoyment I get,” Seagren said.
Seagren said she has become a homebody as a way to balance out all of the hectic parts of her life, but her efforts aren’t going unnoticed. Dittman said even with all of her office duties, she is excelling with the dance team.
“She’s doing an unbelievable job here,” Dittman said.
Contact staff writer Christi Hang at 459-7590.
Community Discussion
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Christi,
Have you gone to a game yet? Seagren may be doing a great job in her office duties but whether it's the choreography or plain lack of enthusiasm the grizzly cheerleaders are HORRIBLE. The girls from Lathrop showed them up in a big way, I hope they (griz girls) were watching,well done.
I agree. I understand they havent been doing this long, but they really didnt do a good job. Sorry for the truth..
I am a good friend of the girls and Lacy and know for a fact the DJ at the game this Saturday (the 22nd) played a completley diffrent version of the song then what the girls had been practicing too.
The girls have worked hard to learn the dances, they learned them in a week literally 7 days... I would like to see all the haters in this town do this. The Lathrop girls did do a very good job but the crowd was more enthusiastic for them then they had EVER been for the Grizzlies dancers. Plus they have had a school year to prepare...
I find it funny that two men made comments about an article that was not intended to commence comments about a bad run, could people in Fairbanks just encourage a good thing when it comes to town. People need to get out more...
Sorry to the poster above but this comment will not be encouraging.
First off, I've gone to both games and my GF and I both agree that the cheerleaders are awful. You say they only had 7 days to get things together. Well, wern't the tryouts in December? It seems to me like they've had enough time to come up with something better than what they've shown. And regardless of the music being wrong at first, during the performance they were still off. Infact, none of them were in sync. Even during the times when the play is going on, the cheerleaders seemed to be lost on what to do. You would think they'd come with 5 different little cheers but instead they try to make it up as they go. It really looks bad.
I'm usually a positive person but when you see ladies (some who are out of shape) prancing around like they've never danced before it's really embarrasing. I say we rotate the highschool cheerleaders from game to game. Lathrop one week North Pole the next and so on. Then at least we can enjoy seeing quality dancing and cheering instead of the awful display we've seen from the Grizlies squad.
Please do something better than what you've been doing. We're all watching.
They are a dance team not Cheerleaders... Also working adults that have to balance practice, work, kids, college and life. They didn't start practicing until after the new year and they have to do other things before they just learning random dances... Everyone seems to know everything so maybe next year they'll come and try out and prove the words that come out of their mouths... If you want a better team maybe a little encourgement could help, but its ok keep talking crap and see how much better they get...
I sure hope for Fairbanks sake that they get better because I have seen little girls in cheer camps do better than these so called professionals it was so sad to see that this was what we had to offer that I was embarressed for them. It didn't seem like they practiced the same routine or that they even practiced together. If they don't have time to practice because their work, school and family schedules don't allow them practice time then maybe they should consider not being on the team and let someone who does have the time rather than embarress themselves and the team in front of thousands of people. You ladys represent our community and you didn't do it very well it was very sad to see. And as for Lathrop at least they were all doing the same thing at the same time. Music or no music they should be dancing to the 8 count in their head not the music. Sorry excuse.
I agree with NUNYA!!! The woman of the GRIZZLES are full time mom, workers, and have a family at home. They don't just get to go to school and worry about homework and chores. There is a lot more to it. I think the woman of the team have done a GRREAT job for the time and effort they have put into going out there and giving it what they got. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!
I like the suggestion to let the high school girls rotate the games!
I don't think that Jme1998 was watching the same game as the rest of us!
It seems as though everyone expects the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders up here, well it isn't going to happen! Once again since everyone seems to know better why was there only 20 girls at tryouts? Do you think that is much to work with? They are practicing when they can and as long as you hate on them they'll only get worse, this town could use a little attitude adjustment. Maybe all these men leaving comments are bitter their girl friends aren't as good looking as some of the grizzly ladies, or maybe they just dont have a life!
NunYa get real! Do you really think that this is the best of FBKS come on they were terrible! One or two girls that did ok even if they were a little chubby for their uniforms their moves were ok others were so stiff and afraid of moving but even that would have been alright if they had moved together. Left then right then left then right together. How hard is that? I mean come on they have been together since December! Their coach should be ashamed of herself!
It's funny to me that people that can't dance are the first to citique others. People in this town would hate on the Cowboys dance team if they were in town. Hey, get over it. These girls look better and dance better than any of your girlfriends and wives (if you even have any). Get a life and enjoy the show instead of trying to find something to complain about. I for one enjoy looking at hot women in their uniforms. The rest of you haters should too.
If all you want to see is hot girls dance for you your seat is waiting at Reflections! We brought our families to the game and were hoping to be entertained by a great game and sideline entertainment as well. The grizzlies need a new dance coach that's all there is to it. Their coach should have respected them enough to not allow them on the field to embarass them selfs if they weren't ready. She needs to stop being their friend and start being their coach! Get down to work and make us proud of you. I know they didn't like getting boo's from the crowd. So the girls need to figure out how to fix it and they should start with a new coach!
hot girls at reflections? come on....have u ever even been there? wow someone must have had major beer googles. i didnt think the grizzly girls were all that good either but i cheered them on...they gave it try. how about all you people go to tryouts and get down with them, give them your 'genius' dance ideas....if u have any...since u seem so quick to judge these girls, go help out.
Since NunYa claims they are a dance team and not chearleaders I'd have to say then they're even worse than horrible. As cheerleaders I thought they were bad, as a dance team team...wow.
I second bringing out the lathrop and np cheerleaders, night and day watching them vs the "griz girls".
haters- they could bring the dallas cowboys CHEERLEADERS up and we'd all be very happy.
oh and nunya, my wife is better looking than any of those girls. bitter? No, dissapointed, 40 bucks a seat for 3 people to watch that...
Maybe we should start a petition to loose the griz girls and vote in lathrop,NP,West Valley, Eielson and Monroe teams that would be entertaining. Lets get it started!!!!
First off I would like to say GO GRIZZLIES!!!!!!!
Awsome game on Sat.
Secondly, I think there was poor organization on the Grizzlies part to start a dance team with no coach to begin with throwing the current coach into a team with little time to prepare. I also did not see or hear any advertising on when the tryouts would take place.
Next time advertise in the News-Miner, get in the free calendar listings, or see if the editorial department would mention the tryouts.
There might have been more of a turnout.
I also think the Grizzlies should utilize the High School talent. At least until they are able to organize a stable dance team. I was thinking that at the game on Sat.
To tryout you have to be 18 and out of high school. Once again the DJ at the game played a version of the girls' dance that I had never heard in their life, they did what they could in the situatiuon given to them. I would like any of you to go stand in front of 4000 plus people and entertain every single one of them. Do it I dare yeah and expect everyone to enjoy it. Oh and of course booing them was takin well and made them so excited to perform for your bitter attitudes. Also a great way to show your kids some integrity, I hope some day when your children build the guts to perform something they get booed and embarrassed by their home town. Learn to respect the people that try to make you happy instead of degrading them to make yourself happy.
UAF Cheerleaders have, every high school and middle school cheerleading team has at top of the world has performed for a packed house at the carlson center. None of those teams have ever froze like the griz girls did. That wasn't professional. I think you are full of excuses. there is no excuse for not knowing what you were suppose to do before you got on the floor. No excuse. I remember one year one of the High School teams music quite half way through there preformance and they continued on to a standing ovation. No excuse for what was suppose to be a professional performance! Stop making excueses for you friends. They did a bad job they know it now they need to go on and fix it so that they never get booed again. They are not children they are adults with a job to do. Not trying to degrade them just reminding them that hard work pays off. And they didn't work hard enough. I know you'll say they worked sooo hard well it wasn't hard enough. Not when you get booed for the only job you have to do at game time, you have one job to do when the buzzer sounds so do it right!
One Job to do my butt... Are you prissy male cheerleader, I would think so since you seem to know it all. These girls do appearances on weekends, entertain before and socialize with the fans afterwords whether our team wins or looses. Some of them went to Anchorage and cheered on our team from the stands even though it was as bad as a game as it was. I am not full of excuses I just know those girls and until you are in their place your mouth should be shut. Speak from experiance of being on that field. Top of the World has never been as packed as it was for our games...
The dance team has to realize they are on a professional team. Being in the public eye, they need to get use to the criticism.
Just like the coach in the first game. The first game turned out bad and changes were made. Now the team is better.
Fairbanks wants to be taken seriously in the IFL.
So when something doesn't go right the fans will say something. We all pay a good amount of money for tickets. So we all have a right to express our opinions.
At this point, the girls will have to work real hard to win over Fairbanks. They can do it if they take the criticism seriously.
NunYa...you have to understand that those fan appearances you references and socialization is all a part of being a cheerleader/dance team member. Every professional team lists those as expectations...but first and foremost, it's the on field performance that decides whether they make a team or not. It's also important to understand that no matter how many of thes public relations functions they participate in, their first priority is in leading the crowd in some excitement...whether it be through cheers or a dance routine. Unless they are well-versed, professional and prepared to do their performance in front of the crowd...the other things don't really matter. Please try to separate yourself from a friend's point of view and look at it from an outsiders perspective. No one here is trying to demean anyone...they all want something better. Perhaps it would be prudent to stop the routines until more practicing has been done and the dances are actually in sync. Short of that, it will be a long season of criticizing and harsh words on people who really don't deserve it. If I was one of the members of the team and was reading these comments...I wouldn't put myself in that position anymore.
Nunya you sound by your comments that you are a team member. And you are trying to defend your team by trying to be rude to the people of our town. As the posts before mine suggest maybe you shouldn't do anymore dances without more practices. We are asking you please don't embarrass yourselves out there you are suppose to be professionals, the best this town has to offer and your team was not anywhere near the best. So please please before you go out and get booed again. Practice and video tape your performance so that you can see what it is that we see. If you don't have time to practice then maybe you should stay off the field
I would have liked to see the choice of outfits better fit the girls on the team. Its intresting to see the ones who are working the hardest and with the most heart are the ladies who would benifit from a little more coverage. It shows that it just does not take looks to do the job, effort makes a difference. It sounds like its not the skin that the fans are looking for.
According to inspiron any blonde bimbo will do? Come on it is hard work that these girls do (should do) They should impress you with their performance also besides the outfit,hair and smile. They shouldn't make you laugh they should make you go wow that was awesome. not that was hilarious! Come on Grizzly girls get your sh-- together. YOU CAN DO IT!
You know you must be hot when people you don't know hate you...Geez is it that serious? They tried. They aren't "professional" dancers. They dance for hobby for a professional team. I didn't see people talking this badly about the football team when they got their rears handed to them. Maybe if their coach didn't have to do ten million other things. Stop being so negative. It's hot-girl dancers, how much really do you want? I have seen Dallas cheerleaders (and Lathrop cheerleaders for that matter) mess up, and they are paid with a drill seargant for a workout instructor (with thousands who try out). It's really hard to be enthusiastic as a dancer/cheerleader in Fairbanks when you don't get much support. Most of those girls were UAF/North Pole/ or Lathrop cheerleaders and I know from experience you guys in Fairbanks crowds weren't that supportive. I have cheered at UAF and we messed up just as bad, but I worked my butt off, and these girls do too. I know we would get everything right hundreds of times in a row at practice and then game day is the one time nerves got to somebody and we messed up. It happens. But I wouldn't blame them for not working hard. It could be nerves. It's just like anything else. You work your rear off and sometimes on game day things don't go as you practiced. These are our girls and let's give them some Fairbanks support. I know a lot of these girls, and they have real talent. This is Fairbanks, and we support our guys/girls no matter what. Give them time to mesh. They are a new team, just like the football team. And PS those girls that you say don't have great bodies...what is wrong with meat on your bones. They don't have stretchmarks,dimples or wrinkles and I think they look GREAT!
I was actually complementing the ladies who "have a little meat on their bones". I see one young lady working hard,(yes she is a little thicker), unlike others she continues to dance and really shows that she likes what she does. Good for her, if the rest of the team kept her pace and energy, people might have thought better of the bunch.
You "complimented" them by saying they didn't have the looks, but the work ethic? They have both. I really think some girls were just scared poopless. Some of them are super young girls, straight out of high school, not seasoned performers.
The people who have anything negative to say about these girls should try it some time themselves. Yes the Lathrop girls did amazing, they also had weeks to a month to perfect that routine, how much time did these girls have to creat 3 brand new dances, one week! Try it sometime then tell me. You know these girls work hard if they are practicing 5 times druring the week and the morning of the game! Also to add to the horrible performance, get all the facts before placing your word on the internet for those hard working girls to see.The DJ played and burned the wrong song! Before anyone has anything negative to say they should know the story behind the team, and if you ever have something to say at a game make sure you know how many parents, children, husbands and friends are around you. A parent of one of these girls got into an arrgument with a lady who boo'ed at these ladies! If you are one of these indviduals who do this i hope you have a close friend or family member go through the same thing and you have to hear someone BOO at them! i am very disappointed in people who want to judge such a good group of girls who arnt just cheerleaders, they are mothers, they go to school, they have full time jobs, and they still have time to go to the gym, or go tanning to look good for the crowd the next game. Please have more respect for these girls, and dont be too quick to judge them based on a routine that was out of there control.
I never said "they didn't have the looks" not my words or inferance. I did say that I liked the young women who showed their hard work at game time. I also said that there are a few who could be examples and leaders for the rest. I think that the uniforms could promote a little more modisty however never did I say "they didn't have the looks".
They have time for alot of things except practice! Another person with excuses. This is a professional team. If you can't keep up then give up and let someone else do the job. Would you as an employer allow this kind of job performance. Any other job this would be unexceptable, but for this there are lots of excuses. You have a job at game time, just do it! They wouldn't get booed if they did a good job not great but at least good. Or is that too much to expect maybe we should just expect mediocre cuz weez just um froma faairbanks!
Thanks Inspiron I did laugh a lot!
"Its intresting to see the ones who are working the hardest and with the most heart are the ladies who would benifit from a little more coverage. It shows that it just does not take looks to do the job, effort makes a difference."-sounded like you are saying they need to cover up. Why do they have to cover up but scrawny girls don't? I'd rather see jiggling and bouncing than flat nothing, but that's just me.
"One or two girls that did ok even if they were a little chubby for their uniforms" -is this necessary?
Anyhoo- When you have a job aren't you are getting paid? Hey, are the cheerleaders working for minimum wage- do they even get paid? The players don't even get much. I don't think they are paid. They are not professionals. They are small town girls who are getting a chance to do something they otherwise wouldn't, just like the football players. They are hard working girls. They are great citizens of Fairbanks. They try. They don't desrve criticism. Try supporting them and give them courage. Like I said these girls have the skills. They were all varsity cheerleaders or UAF cheerleaders. They just need a little support, and maybe they won't let nerves get the best of them. Like I said, these are young girls who are used not to drunks booing them. You are not going to have great dancers unless you build up their spirits, just like with the football players. I am just asking people to stop being a-holes to these nice girls who are trying. I bet after all the booing they will be right back up there next week working even harder. I am very passionate about all the negativity because I have been there. I poured my heart into it, and if one girl on the team messed all my hard work went down the drain. And then I was attacked personally for something I tried so hard at. It was devestating. They will only get better if you give them the support. They aren't evil or snooty Paris Hilton's. They are great people with feelings, and messing up a dance routine doesn't deserve this hate.
yah! i worked with lacy at a now closed eating and drinking establishment here in town when we were both employees there. she is a very nice lady, and she works very hard. i think we should give them time to get the thing working right. i have confidence in lacy to do a good job in this. i just wish on this, folks would be slower to criticize. but i definately agree, those lathrop girls on saturday did an excellent job.
"One or two girls that did ok even if they were a little chubby for their uniforms" -is this necessary?
who said that? not me.
Work Hard, Respect yourself, Good for the girls who tried.
Yes,I would like to see less skin, on ALL of the ladies.
Nothing to read into, don't change my words around, not everyone is negitive.
I made my comment to ALL who said it not just you, A. And B you said those that worked the hardest needed to cover up. That would mean you were not talking about EVERYONE.
I think NP4ever needs to come out for the dance team. You seem to be an expert on judging these girls and how they dance. I would love to see you at there dancing a routine in front of 4,000 people with the dj playing the wrong version of a song that you've been practicing all week. I want to see you do it. Please come out and offer your services. You obviously have nothing else to do since you've been posting comments all day. Those girls did a heck of a job of winging the routine to a completely different song. Quit hating and enjoy the show. If you don't like it, you come out for the team and show them how it's done.
No one was questioning their character or that they were good people. Or if they were wonderful citizens of Fairbanks and North Pole. That is not in question. I believe that they are wonderful people as are most of the people of Fairbanks and North Pole. What I do question however is their abilities as dancers. If you are too shy to shake your thing in front of 4000 people, then you have no business on the football field. If you can't keep an 8 count in your head regardless of what others are doing then you don't belong on the football field. If these girls were former UAF or local High School cheerleaders than what were they thinking, thier coaches of those teams I am sure were as shocked as the rest of the crowd to see the way that not only their dance at halftime went but their sideline performance also. It was entertaining many people laughed. The bottom line if they don't want to be booed or laughed at anymore than they need to practice, practice practice and together would be even better.
This is my last comment but did anyone watch the video at the top of the article?
The part where the girls are practicing on the field the morning of the game shows them very well choregraphed and organized to the song they had been practicing. Then take a step back and realize the switch in tempo to the song that was played that night at the game.
How do you think the players would have played if all of a sudden their turf was gone and they had to play regardless. Would you have been as hard on the players as you have been on the girls?
What ADN wrote about our Grizzlies. "It was ragged, ugly, sloppy and just plain awful to watch at times...
But as the game wore on...the Grizzlies found the business end of a beat down." That is pretty embarrasing.
I bet we would be pretty t-ed off at those comments about our team. But read what we are saying about our own home town girls, even worse. The guys did pretty darn crappy that game, but we rallied behind them and showed our support and they got better. I am just asking that we show our girls some love too! If there was an indoor chick league, I'd be all on it, but this is what girls have. I am going to support them. Let's rally behind them. Give them loud cheers and support, and if they mess up, pat them on the back and say "you'll get em next time". These are KIDS!! Not paid professionals. Dude, they are still a new team. Why so mean? I didn't say anyone belittled their character. My point was, these things are really hurtful, and I would cry if they were said about my daughter. I am saying because of their great character they don't deserve the mean stuff. That's all. We didn't ask the guys to wait until they got their crap together before they got out on the field. I am so embarrased to be from this town right now. I would expect it from Anchorage, but not here. We don't give up on people that easily. Enough with the double standard.
I too never want to see Our home team Grizzly's be it girls or guys booed ever again but its not to say it won't happen its the way things go. So to help prevent that from happening our guys took drastic measures and replaced the coach and other key players. So maybe the girls need to do the same. Or maybe just maybe they could practice? That would be a great thing for them to do, I am just one voice but I know there are many many people who booed. Believe it or not I was not one of them. I want them to be successful I want them to be good and a positive point of entertainment. I wish them great things for the rest of their season. With practice you can shake the blonde bimbo image that others have spoken about here. Dazzle us with your amazing dance moves your enthusiasm, and you energy, I for one want to be proud of Our Fairbanks Grizzly dance team.
P.s. Here is what we wrote about the Grizzlies beat down, after reading this tell me there isn't a double standard.
http://beta.newsminer.com/news/2008/mar/...
Perhaps our girls just need a manager. Someone designing their dances is not the same thing as an actual "you will listen to what I say" manager. And being adorable should not be in the resume for this position. We need someone with both cheerleading and dance team experience as well as experience managing young people in a business. Like it or not this is a business. I have both been a cheerleader and on a dance team and without our managers we would have been lost, much like our girls appear here. Although both activities are quite different there is one thing that is the same.
Teamwork.
That is what we are missing here. Lacey may be doing a fine job teaching the routines but who is managing these young ladies as a team? Do they have a schedule of what "dance" moves they will do and at what time? Coordination is really all it takes. The moves they are doing should be very basic. Lets not shoot the DJ here. He played pretty much the same thing one game to the next. And our music today really only has one beat anyways. And we don't need professional dancers in this environment. We just need team work.
Yes, I have been to both home games and the confusion is amazing. You have half of the girls at one end of the field and the others at the other end doing a complete different move to "the same music" if they are moving at all. This alone is quite disappointing. Can't we agree on what moves to do? I would think designing a dance schedule would be in the job description of the dance team manager. And the dance routine once again would be basic but consistant and performed as a team. How about we design just one really freakin fun and awesome routine and make it our own? Then as the year gets better so will our dance team. And when it comes time to do the routine lets have the manager organize and cue the girls and Dj when they should start. They usually only do one complete routine as it is and this way the crowd will know what to expect, the girls will all be ready when it starts and there will be someone there to direct them.
As for uniforms, why do we have to take off the jerseys? As we were coming in to the last game I personally heard so many comments about how much better the girls looked in the hallway with the full cover jerseys on. We don't need the skin. Come on. We are still in Alaska.
As said above, I would LOVE to see anyone who is hating these girls to go out and try it them selves. There were as Nunya said, only 20 girls the day of try outs. I personally saw flyers for try outs all over this town. These girls are for your entertainment yes, but do not criticize them so greatly after a mess up. The DJ messed up and gave them the wrong song! Last years AK Wild team sucked, they only won 2 games..however this year at their first game the Sulivan Arena was almost sold out. Dont just give up on those girls. They are hard working girls. I am not saying they are perfect, becuase they are not. They dont have to be! this is fairbanks for gods sake! Its not like when we start losing we can cut girls and fly in new ones to replace them like the football team can. They are working with what they have. The boys lost their first game and the second but are making a good comeback with a big win this weekend, it took time to figure it all out. Cut the grizz girls some slack!! They are working with what they have and with time they will get better..they will figure it out. Someone said it above me and its true, everyone messes up! no matter who they are!! I watched some of the Lathrop girls get off, they weren't all lined up perfectly or turning at the same time when they should be. Next year I would like to see NP4ever at tryouts and see them try to make the team! Since from what I've been getting from all your comments you seem as if you are better than all of them.
Good luck lady G's =) You'll get them next time..you have a whole month to prepare!
the girls will get better with time as well as the football players. give them time and quit dogging them so much. they know they need work. support them as much as possible. enjoy the show and dont let the beer do the speaking for you.
i go to school full time and work full time, i'm graduating in may, and i'm taking jazz dance through UAF. i'd have to say, my class seems to have their routine more together and in synch than these cheerleaders, and we only meet MWF an hour each day, sometimes not even practicing the routine more than once! i'm not saying we're perfect, but for crying out loud, if you're going to participate in a cheerleading event for all of fairbanks, make sure you have the time to do so! being busy as a mom or having other priorities is a bad excuse. if you don't have the time to be the best, than DON'T do it, period. i was shocked when i saw the video. sure, ok, in practice they may have had it down. but it all comes down to whether they can handle the heat and bring out the A game in front of a huge crowd. people aren't going to be forgiving about mistakes, that's the bottom line. we need girls who can represent fairbanks and show everyone our best. and if that means rotating high school girls who are able to practice more and put on a better show--then i'm all for it.
Look, just like the football team, they will get better. Although, I do have to say that the cheerleaders do need to concentrate heavily on getting the counts down. I know it's difficult when all of them have numerous other things going on. They're all extremely busy and have serious other obligations besides dancing. They are doing their best, just like the football team. They may make mistakes, but we need to support our wonderful Lady Grizzlies and help them instead of bash them. They still look good regardless...besides the nonsense of their appearance.
As for the football team, it's starting to look like a circus with new guys coming in every day as if Fairbanks have no talent or good players. Chad is full of himself and have been trying to replace the players from the beginning. He's just doing it with a snake-like smile in a slow process! First his comments were only 100% AK talent! Then 75% local to 25% out of state. Now it's 60% local to 40% out of state! LOL! BS! If you check the roster, you notice it's flip-flopped with damn near 60% out of state and 40% local. Ask the guys that have been getting cut and pushed to the side by the assistant coach(Lee Mireles) and head coach(John Fourcade)! I don't see him replacing the cheerleaders like he's desperately doing to the players. Worst part is, The players that have been cut and used as practice dummies are saying that these players that he's bringing up here don't even have to try out for the team! What????? They're automatically getting a starting position as if they are NFL quality. Sad part is, they aren't even good from what I've heard. Most are hurt and out of shape!The problem is, these guys are coming up here with one condition I'm betting with Chad and the coach....they're not coming to sit the bench and definitely aren't getting paid what the other local players are getting! I think if we had a real owner that cared and a better head coach then the team would be better off with our own local talent! They had a winning team, just a terrible head coach and QB that wasn't being coached right! Besides, I've never heard of any owner firing a head coach and then keep him on as a coach! WOW! You mean I can even be a terrible coach and move down to the next slot! WOW, what a deal! So in otherwords, you still have a terrible coach on staff, but this time disgruntle for losing his power slot!
Ok, so they aren't cheerleaders... they are a dance squad. Just a question... Are they suppose to entertain us? And if not, why are they there? The reason that they tried out was to join a group that is supposed to go out in front of 4000 plus people and be able to keep their composure regardless of what the DJ played. And If they weren't confident in their routine, then they shouldn't have went out there. I would much rather watch nothing than some woman making fools of themselves. I also agree that we should rotate the high school cheerleaders. They shouldn't have to be 18 to be the dance squad for the Grizzlies, they don't travel right??? If not, could the coach of these girls please ask for some help from the coaches of the high school teams???? Get some help, I'm sure there would be people who would volunteer to give ideas on how to improve.
You have to be 18? Isn't there a girl on the squad who is still in High School and 17?
Ohdaddi... Lee Mireles was demoted to Defensive Coordinator because he is still learning the game of Indoor Football which is significantly diffrent from outdoor. Coach Fourcade has lots of experinance in indoor ball and is working with Lee to make sense of it all so that one time Lee maybe the Head coach again. As far as players being cut but kept as dummies is a crock. The IFL only allows for 27 players to be on a roster and 4 of those 27 are injured players that a team does not want to release due to other teams then having the opportunity to steal them. During a game only 20 players of 23 left are allowed to play and the released players are given the option to leave or stay and practice, by personal choice. A typical IFL team can go through 40 players in a season due to injuries and our local problem is military... They lots of times are not allowed to leave town especially to Texas (five of fourteen games). Our local guys are also working jobs that may not allow for them to travel, unless you are a player or well educated in the rules and regulations you may want to check your comments. Out of town players are here to play football and that is it they have nothing tieing them down, giving them all the opportunity to be dedicated to nothing but our team. If your source is a player that was cut then maybe consider the fact that they may be a little bitter about the outcome of their experiance. Our community does not have the exposure that the players from the lower 48 does. Coach Fourcade would like to keep as many local players as allowed to still make advancements in the league, mind you it took the Wild ten games to get a win, it took us three. If you have questions ask don't just assume. I have spoken to the office staff they understand this is a new thing to the community and are very friendly about answering questions about players and coaches. The website has a few tips also.
WOW! Well, after being informed of the comments that were going back and forth I decided to sign on and take a gander. The thing I love about Fairbanks and the people who live here is their constant passion for what they do and believe in. I would like to say that although the Lady Grizz did not perform up to their potential, the potential is there. I will say that I have been very fortunate to meet several people in the Grizzlies organization. I was one of the first season ticket purchasers because I was very excited from day one when I heard we were getting an arena team. AND I HAVE TO BE HONEST, I have not been disappointed. My friends and I have had a blast at the two home games and even considering a road trip to Anchorage in April to show even more support. It has been pretty exciting and something different to do in our sporting choices. I will also say that I know Lacy is aware of the comments and so are the members of the dance team and this was a learning experience, as embarrassing as it was. They now have over a month until their next performance and I am pretty confident that it will be much better. This will be taken as constructive criticismn and bad publicity is still publicity and it's rewarding to see how much people care. As much as I am for the local talent, both in the players and the dancers, it doesn't bother me that Chad and Coach Fourcade are bringing in outside players, it's exciting because it is pumping more excitement and money into our community and economy. I say great job to all of you who are making this Grizzlies team a success and WELCOME TO FAIRBANKS!! We love you already!!
How much can we really expect when the man who organized the cheer/dance team plainly stated in a previous article done on the team after their tryouts that looks and personality were priority over dance skills. He said they have four months to learn to dance. Having the dance talent and experience to perform in front of a huge crowd takes more than just four months. Lacy is doing great coming up with dances for the team but from the article above it even sounds as though he went with the first person who volunteered to coach. How can we expect to have other talented dancers want to try out when they know they are being judged on their looks and "representing the community" by making appearences at events like the man show in little clothing and jumping on trampolines? It seems to me the man who organized this was not taking the best steps to creat a profesional team.
It is sad that Lacy would tolerate this treatment of her team and allow this to become a t & a show. But I guess that by just taking the first person to say I'll do the job our town gets whatever. We as fbks people should expect more. But most dont. You would think that most of these girls being from right here in town would want to prove that they are more than that, but I guess t & a is what we get. They should not call themselves a dance team. Griz girls is ok but not a dance team or a cheer team.
!!!!!!GO GRIZZLIES!!!!!!
The opportunity to participate (as a fan) in attending Fairbanks Grizzlies I.A.F. is a privilege and an enjoyable evening well spent, for my spouse and I.
We purchased season tickets and will do so again next year. A nice change over those (sometimes seeming-endless) long winter nights at home with nothing to do.
THANKS! to all who made this event possible, for our great city of Fairbanks. Continue your "much appreciated" effort in creating this exciting, enjoyable event.
***!!!GO GRIZZLIES!!!***!!!GO LADY GRIZZLIES!!!***
Lets not forget they have also done a Toy Drive the weekend after tryouts, KidsFest(Boys and Girls Club), Big Brothers Big Sisters Auction, Sold raffle tix for a fundraiser for a hunting association, This week they are helping at the Teen Wellness Fair at West Valley and much more to come... They are a group of good looking girls that did one event geared towards men, and they wore jeans and t-shirts they had slightly modified. No uniforms had even been ordered yet. that is one out of five community events. So who has a daughter on a cheer or dance team that has done a car wash, you know that have the old perverts attending that are going to look at the girls in their bikini tops scrubbing their vehicle, give me a freakin break, please.
Their stomachs show and arms no more ten a t-shirt would show and their knees to mid thigh, seriously?!?! I've seen less on teens on myspace but all of them have are showing it off... I'll ask Lacy to put them in Long Sleeves and Coveralls hows that sound for all of you and would you mind telling your kids to dress as though they grew up in the middle east? Thanks, I really appreciate it.
First of all I would like to say that I was impressed with the team and the huge improvements that have made. Now, If you want to look at the problem with the dance team you need to look deep. 1. The tryouts had a minimal showing. Why? The Grizzlies didn't advertise that fact they where looking for a dance team, if they did then it was a poor effort. I sat near a large group of girls who were criticizing the dance team. I asked them why they didn't try out. Their response was they didn't know about the tryouts. 2. It sounds like the the dance teams coach wears a number of hats. That is to be expected during the initial start-up. It also sounds like she is doing a good job at all her other responsibilities. It's now time to find someone with a more professional dance background to whip these girls into shape. It is clear they do not have any leadership what so ever. It's as if they are being left to decide on their own what to do. It's embarrassing to watch. 3. When it comes to the girls themselves half of them seem to be making an effort while the others seem to feel that being pretty is the only qualification needed. Speaking of looks, someone needs to tell the overweight girl with the loose belly to loose weight or cut her. YOU ARE A CHEERLEADER! You are in the limelight and represent this new IFL team in Fairbanks. I can't tell you how may comments were focused on that one girl. It makes the rest of the other girls go unnoticed. You can't tell me that the dance coach hasn't heard any of these comments. It simply can't be possible. Lastly, If you want Fairbanks to take you seriously then you're going to have to earn it back. We want new events to attend, but if I am being asked to support this new sport then give me what I am paying for.
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When I emailed the owner to ask why he doesn't hire an older manager for the girls as was suggested he wrote that if you guys don't like what he does then he doesn' want your money and stop coming to the games. So I guess we all can shove it!
Wait why was nebodyc's comment deleted? What was offensive???
No, She was saying she was a former Grizzly Girl and that the girls don't take it seriously and that she know first hand all they did was gossip instead of practice, and something about the owner just transfered guys from his texas team to replace our team. Maybe defamation. I don't know why, but it wasn't offensive for sure.
akmommie- Your post about the owner was interesting seeing how he needs the community’s money to support his team. I would like to see you post his email response back to you, so everyone is able to see and decide who we want to give our money too.
nebodyc's comments were not offensive to anyone except maybe the coach. I suppose the staff of the news miner felt like they weren't doing their job if they didn't censor someone, so nebodyc was as good as anyone. Obviously Christi Hang the writer of the article was not paying attention to the game, or wasn't even there by the title of her article. Please give me a break and I watched the video that someone pointed out that we should watch. I highly recommend watching it. Its halarious!!
Excuses, excuses. Some of you, and you know who you are, sound silly with all or your excuses for these ladies. Give me a break. Take some responsibilty and stop giving these women a reason to look bad. I've been part of a dance group before and never would we perform without at least being in sync. As far as there looks, yeah a lot are attractive but their performances make them look ugly. I'm sorry but there are no exscuses for looking unprepared and as long you keep sticking up for them nothing will change. I guess we'll just have to look at it as a comedy routine because after a while it's funny. In fact, all of you excuse makers out there are funny. Lol....
To fbksreader,akmommie, and everyone else who is commenting on this article, we could all write e-mails to the owner and maybe it'll raise and eyebrow with him and if enough of us show our concern maybe he'll realize that it's not just one person that he would be telling that he doesn't want our money. You can go to the website www.fairbanksgrizzlies.com and click on his name under Frontoffice and it gives the email address.
I am NOT writing another email! OMG!! I got my head bit off for having the audacity to suggest he do with the girls what he does with the boys and run it like a business. If you have been reading my posts I have been supportive! I just wanted to offer some perspective on how to make it a little better. I am just going to leave it alone. I tried. They will make money with or without me, and I doubt they really care.
Pretty sad that we get 70-somethin comments on dancers, but less than 10 on issues that really matter. Way to go Fairbanks! haha.
Oh and I've been to both games so far and the girls really do need to step it up a little...but good eye candy non-the-less! Go Grizzlies!!
I heard Lacey was removed as the dance coach but still has her position in the front office...is there any truth to that...and also i was working at the Kids Fest and the dance team just sat there...there was no charity work going on...the only one who did anything was the mascot who was a dance team member...she was the only legit one there...
Uh....they suck. I think that cheer is to promote spirit and leader is to lead the spirit so put them together and that is what they are for. These girls are just out there to be noticed or gaulked at. Ya thats what I could see. Otherwise they would be doing their job instead of wondering how good they look or who is noticing them or who they will meet after the game at the Loon or wherever everybody is going to be meeting up. The reason the highschool cheerleaders did so good is because they are dedicated to that......Cheerleading! My sis is 32 was captain of her cheerleading team in highschool some odd years ago and could kick butt out there all over those girls now. And they are not all mothers either, I know some of them are only 18 to early 20's. Let somebody coach them who will make them get in shape to do their job right.
As a member of the grizzlies dance team, i would like to say that i was disappointed with 1 of 3 dances that we did on saturday. However, i'm more disappointed with anyone on here who thinks that we aren't trying hard to learn these dances and trying our hardest to please the fans. I know for a fact, that had the music been correct, we would have done an awesome job. Its so easy to sit online, at your computer at home, and judge. I know that these girls are a group of talented dancers, and it breaks my heart that I was ecstatic about MY first home game, (as i missed the real first home game) only to see that no matter what good things we do, the only things that will be commented on are the things we do wrong. Thanks for your support fairbanks. Congrats to Lathrop on performing their routine for the state championships without fault. Those months of preparation have paid off. Our 4 days of practice, not so much. But we will get better, not because we want to please you, but because we want to please ourselves.
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