By Ricky Popolizio
While most Patriots fans at Northeastern were plastered to their TVs in anticipation of last Thursday’s NFL season opener that pitted the New England Patriots against the visiting Indianapolis Colts, the NU cheerleading team was there live on the field at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. The cheerleaders were surrounded by over 168,000 screaming fans, along with the players from both the Colts and the Patriots.
The Huskies were invited to be a part of ABC’s NFL kickoff ceremony at Gillette Stadium Thursday night.
Although they did not cheer, the NU cheerleaders had to prepare for four days prior to the ceremony. The preparation was needed to choreograph the raising of the Patriots’ flags and the balloons to the different music that was played.
With players from both teams no more than 10 feet away, the squad ran onto the field with balloons and Patriots flags, with Elton John and Lenny Kravitz providing the live soundtrack.
“It was just insane with all those fans in the stands,” said middler co-captain Jess Spear. “It was a really great experience being that close to all the Patriots players.”
The highlight of the ceremony for many of the team members was when they unveiled the Patriots’ championship banner.
“When the [Patriots’] championship banner was unveiled, everyone went nuts and vibrated the stadium,” said Chris Lawler, co-captain and one of the team’s 15 male member. There are a total of 29 members combined.
This was for the members, it wasn’t the first special invitation granted to an NU cheerleading team. The squad was one of 20 invited to cheer at the opening ceremonies of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
The Northeastern cheerleading squad has been a force for over a decade, reaching Nationals every year since 1989.
“When you have that type of record, it is amazing how many people call you,” said head coach Lorrie Wright.
The NU team was the NCAA Grand National Champion in 2002, finishing ahead of 183 other schools. In 2003, the Huskies were ranked second overall, but were disqualified for an illegal stunt. However, the team still finished seventh in the nation and looks to rebound this year.
