Anatomy of a Cheerleader
By Jeff Kagan
The art of cheerleading dates back just over 100 years ago, with its origins at the University of Minnesota during a football game against Northwestern University on November 2, 1898. The home team was on a losing streak and a student named Johnny Campbell decided they needed some help. He called out the first cheer ever, “Rah, Rah, Rah! Ski-u-mah! Hoo-Rah! Hoo-Rah! Varsity! Varsity! Varsity, Minn-e-SO-TAH!” Dozens in the crowd followed his lead and cheerleading, as we know it, was born. Minnesota went on to win the game 17-6.
There’s something to be said about smelling like team spirit and drilling a little “get-up-and-go” into an athlete’s brain. “Athletes feed off of the energy of a crowd. The hotter the crowd, the better the jocks will do,” says Brian Wilson, a team captain with Cheer New York, the LGBTS cheerleading squad that marched onto the scene in 2002, just a couple of years after the release of the film Bring It On! Coincidence?
Brian, has been a gymnast since the age of 6, but being a gymnast is expensive. After reading about Cheer New York in Next Magazine, he joined the group so he could do gymnastics for free. Apart from the free workout, Cheer New York has changed his life for the better. In working towards helping his community, Brian has made some of the greatest friends in his life. He’s also been lucky enough to meet some very interesting people, such as Jennifer Hudson, the cast of Avenue Q and Constantine Maroulis from American Idol, all while performing in the Actor's Fund one-night Broadway production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
Now, hoping to find other people who can enjoy the benefits of Cheer New York, Brian is on the lookout for new recruits, part of his role as team captain. “We’re always looking for tall, strong guys who look good in polyester.” In addition to looking good, their more important mission is to raise money for the “Cheer for Life” fund, which supports other charities addressing HIV, cancer, Diabetes and other life-challenging conditions.
With his fingers in a number of pies, outside of cheering, Brian had the opportunity to dance in Caswell’s latest video, “Get My Money Back” which was shot over two days in Brooklyn. “Lots of sexy, half-naked go-go boys…” he says, with a wink and a boyish smile.
Best experience so far? Brian says, “Cheer New York was performing at the opening of Comix Night Club and I got to meet Kathy Griffin. We picked her up and put her on top of the pyramid. She does love her gays.”
On Sunday, November 20th, Brian and the Cheer New York Cheerleaders will be at the Central Park Bandshell as they bring it to the 18th Annual Race to Deliver, God’s Love We Deliver’s largest annual fundraiser to fight hunger and provide nutritional counseling to those facing life-altering illnesses.
Learn more about Cheer New York at www.cheerny.org and www.facebook.com/CheerNewYork.
QUICKIES
Kickin’ Back: The NY Ramblers have recently joined the Gotham Soccer Club, competing in Division 2, playing 11 on 11. They recently had a very tough match against the #2 team, Manhattan City, with 5 starters missing. Fighting the good fight, they came back from 5-1, and in the last 15 minutes buried 2 goals, to finish 5-3. A loss, but a rally none-the-less. The Manhattan City players had on super tight shorts, which was somewhat distracting. In the Ramblers Inter-club League play, the Smurfettes (in blue) played the Tea-baggers (in pink). It was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, with the underdog Tea-baggers winning in penalty kicks.
Big Round Ball: The New York City Gay Basketball League is going strong into the final stretch of their Fall 2011 Season. Gym Bar (4-3) going against a first place Splash (6-1). Splash is looking to lock up the first seed and Gym Bar with a win will only be a game behind them. Muscle Maker Grill (1-6) had a tough time in their inaugural season. They face Eagle Bar (3-4). Eagle Bar is fighting for that last playoff spot and is almost in a must win situation!
Good Knight: The Gotham Knights Rugby Football Club celebrated their 10th Anniversary on November 5th at the University Club. The Knights made a huge splash on the gay sports scene back in 2001, breaking stereotypes and redefining the word “camaraderie”. What’s next for these strapping lads? They intend on bringing the Bingham Cup back to the United States. This annual tournament will be held in 2012 in Manchester, England.
Shut the Puck Up: The Boxers NYC ice hockey team kicked some Honey Badger (“who just don’t give a shit”) butt last weekend beating those little critters 5-1. The Wizards, on the other hand, ran out of magic, as the Thundercats cast a “winning spell” on the gays in green by scoring the winning goal in the last minute of play. Wizards also had 16 minutes in penalties. Don’t mess with the wand. Final score 3-2.
Shut the Puck Up: The Boxers NYC ice hockey team kicked some Honey Badger (“who just don’t give a shit”) butt last weekend beating those little critters 5-1. The Wizards, on the other hand, ran out of magic, as the Thundercats cast a “winning spell” on the gays in green by scoring the winning goal in the last minute of play. Wizards also had 16 minutes in penalties. Don’t mess with the wand. Final score 3-2.
