Green Bay Packers cheerleaders facts for kids
 |
|
| Formation | 1950 |
|---|---|
| Affiliations | Green Bay Packers |
| Website | Info on Packers.com |
|
Formerly called
|
|
The Green Bay Packers have had cheerleading squads throughout their history. They were one of the first professional football teams to have cheerleaders. The first cheerleaders appeared in 1931. For 57 years, different squads cheered for the team. In 1988, the Packers stopped using professional cheerleaders. Since then, college cheerleading teams help out during home games.
Contents
What Green Bay Packers Cheerleaders Do
The cheerleading squads support the National Football League team. They cheer at home games in Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sometimes, they also represent the team at special events. Since 1988, their role has been smaller compared to other NFL cheer squads.
History of Packers Cheerleading Squads
The Packers were pioneers in having cheerleaders. In 1931, they used squads from Green Bay East and West high schools. These high school teams cheered on the sidelines for several games.
Later, coach Vince Lombardi asked Mary Jane Sorgel to create a professional cheerleading squad. Lombardi wanted a modest team. Sorgel said, "We weren't the Dallas Cowgirls." She explained that they were "wholesome Midwest girls." Lombardi preferred longer skirts, so that's how they dressed.
The first professional squad was called the Green Bay Packerettes. Over time, they changed names to the Golden Girls, then back to the Packerettes, and finally the Green Bay Sideliners. The Packers stopped having professional cheerleaders in 1988. A local TV station, WFRV, did a survey. About half of the fans wanted cheerleaders back, and half did not. Packers Vice President Bob Harlan announced the decision. He said the team would continue without professional cheerleaders. Now, college cheerleaders perform for the team.
The Green Bay Packerettes Squad
The first professional cheer squad was named the Green Bay Packerettes. Bernie Matzke organized this group. She created a squad of baton twirlers. This was at the request of Wilbur Burke, who managed the Green Bay Packers Lumberjack band. This squad cheered in the 1950s. They performed when the Packers played at City Stadium.
The Golden Girls Squad
The Golden Girls got their name from Paul Hornung's nickname, "The Golden Boy." Mary Jane Sorgel, a national champion baton twirler, started them in 1961. This squad cheered until 1972. The first team had sixteen students from Sorgel's dance studios. They performed routines designed by her.
Sorgel said her girls did more than just cheer. "They did tumbling," she explained. "I had some national baton twirling champions and dancers." She added that they were "very colorful." Anne Maedke, a 1970 squad member, described their outfits. They wore "one-piece sequined swimsuits and high-heeled boots." The Golden Girls even cheered during the famous Ice Bowl. In May 2007, the team honored the Golden Girls. They received a permanent display at the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
The Packerettes Return
In 1973, the Green Bay Packers brought back the Packerettes name. They asked Bernie Matzke to lead the squad again. The Packerettes also performed at other events. They visited nursing homes, participated in parades, and even did a show with Bob Hope at the Resch Center. This version of the squad cheered until 1977.
The Green Bay Sideliners Squad
In 1977, the cheerleading squad changed its name again. They became the Green Bay Sideliners. This group aimed to be a modern, dance-focused cheer squad. Shirley Van, a local dance studio owner, choreographed their routines. The Sideliners were disbanded in 1988.
College Cheerleaders Today
After 1988, the Packers started using cheerleaders from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay (UWGB). Today, the team still uses college cheerleading squads. The UWGB squad, which includes both male and female cheerleaders, performs. The St. Norbert's all-girl squad also cheers at each home game.
