No adult dancers? If you're Houston's team, why discriminate against one of Houston vital industries? No tattoos allowed? Somebody tell Steve Francis. I thought it was the Compaq Center that was being turned into a church... Rockets dancers clean up their act By KEN HOFFMAN Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle The Houston Rockets Power Dancers will hold their annual tryouts Saturday, but applicants be advised: New talent coordinator Sharla Schott is laying down the law: no visible tattoos, no jewelry stuck in your face except for earrings, no moonlighting as a dancer in adult clubs and ... there will be background checks. "In past years, the Power Dancers weren't so strict on these types of things. It's time for a change," Schott said. Schott is a former Houston Texans cheerleader, and Texans cheerleaders are known for being squeaky clean. Schott said applicants should pre-register at www.rockets.com and show up at 8:30 a.m. at the main entrance of Toyota Center. Wear dancing clothes, and be prepared for a workout. "The Rockets Power Dancers have to be in top shape because basketball teams play 41 home games a year, while football teams play only eight. Plus, basketball dancers are much closer to the fans, so their dancing ability has to be very strong," Schott said. Applicants will be called to dance in front of judges between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. There will be a second round for survivors between 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Schott is expecting 400 women — and please, only women — to try out for the team's 24 positions. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/features/hoffman/2619155
Well, the Rockets are trying to market games as a family experience right? That's why this makes a bit more sense.
The Powers Dancers have really got their act together over the years. Got some beautiful women on that squad. Nice outfits. Looking gooooood. It's smart to do a background check. If someone turned up with a criminal record, 't'would be embarassing.
I think it's a good thing that the Rockets organization is taking something from a class organization such as the Texans. They shouldn't stop there; there's a few more pages the Rockets ought to take from the Texans book too.
Might as well dress all the cheerleaders as the Church Lady from SNL. That's one part of the NBA enviroment from a financial perspective that men come out to see. Oh, well, we'll still have this:
They're probably doing the checks after that one cheerleader for the Raptors ended up having a p*rn website...
I've always had a problem with Les marketing his games as a family environment. I think he is completely wrong. Basketball is not baseball. Basketball games are usually attended by adults and more importantly, young adults. Sure there are kids at games, but the actual live experience should be geared more for adults. I have always thought Les has been going about it the wrong way.
pgabriel -- it is possible to be entertaining to adults while still reaching children. the two aren't mutually exclusive.
I can understand the topless thing. That can hurt the reputation of an organization. But, no visible tattoos or piercings other than earrings? That's just stupid.
Well I'm not advocating strippers or anything. I just think NBA games should have more of a nightlife feel to them. I don't know how to explain it or what exactly I would be looking for. I just think some of the in game entertainment sometimes misses the audience.
As long as Jessica is still there next year, I really dont care for everything else... If she is plastered on the posters for the tryouts and on the commercials I see, I would be VERY suprised if she isnt there next year. Too bad I am working on Saturday, otherwise i'd be taking pics.... j/k, i do have a life guys.....
Does this mean they're getting rid of the Tundra dancers? Do the same restrictions apply for Tundra Dancers?
