Raiderettes

Raiderette Auditions

By Samantha Romero

The 2009 Raiderette squad was selected on Sunday, April 26, after the final audition at Club One fitness center in downtown Oakland. Click on the picture to view a larger image.

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The 2009 Raiderette finals took place Sunday, April 26, 2009, at Club One Fitness in downtown Oakland, Calif., The candidates who were selected as finalists began their journey towards becoming a member of The Oakland Raiderettes - Football's Fabulous Females.

The first group of 25 candidates registered at 7:30 a.m. for the first phase of the competition; the interview process. As the first group was being interviewed, the second group of 25 who arrived at 9:00 a.m. began their registration process. Throughout the interview process, each was asked to walk up and sit on a stool in front of a panel of distinguished judges. A variety of questions were asked of each candidate, which allowed the panel to get a better understanding of who they are on a personal basis.

The candidates wore their best evening cocktail attire for this part of the audition process. This year glamour was evident. “I’ am very impress with the girls, there seems to be a little bit more glamour,” said Tiaja Jacks, a former Raiderette who volunteered her time and helped during the auditions.

Candidates from all over the Bay Area traveled to take part in this highly-coveted event. Pittsburg, Calif., candidate Christina was one of the early birds who arrived at 7:30 a.m. for her interview. Christina participated in The Oakland Raiders 2005 Spirit Explosion halftime entertainment show. “From the moment I stepped on the field I knew that I wanted to become part of the Oakland Raider legacy and hoped to make it to the [Raiderette] squad.” said Christina.

When the interview process came to an end, the candidates prepared themselves for the second part of the audition: the dance portion. Before the start of the dance routine many of the participants snuck in a last minute practice. They applied everything that was taught to them in the preliminary process while adding their own personal style. Candidates wore bright, sequined outfits, some of which were creations of their own. The first group was escorted to the area where they would perform their routine, while the remaining participants practiced in a separate area, anxiously waiting for their group to be called.

Assistant choreographer for the Raiderettes, Laura Jollay, who cheered for the Raiders from 1996 through the 2000 season, is entering her third season with The Oakland Raiders in her current position. Laura expressed that this year’s auditions are different then previous years because many candidates are better dancers.

When asked what is required in a Raiderette Laura said, “we are looking for [cheerleaders] who are ambassadors for The Oakland Raiders and are able to present a positive image of the organization and basically have the whole package.” The judges were presented with many candidates who seemed to have these qualities and who would carry the Raiders name proudly.

Once the first group had finished their dance routine, they quietly made their way down to the first floor were they would wait for the second group to join them. Candidates were asked to change into their cocktail dresses and wait for the results.

At approximately 6:30 p.m. candidates gathered around while Raiderette director Karen Kovac announced the chosen. As the final list was being announced cheers of joy filled the room and those chosen received congratulatory hugs from their fellow competitors. Karen then escorted the finalists to the second floor where they would take their first team photo as this year’s Raiderette squad.

Congratulations to this year’s Raiderettes - Football’s Fabulous Females.