When the Cleveland Cavaliers tip off tonight in Quicken Loans Arena for their first home game of the season, fans from 窪蹋勛圖厙 might see a familiar face on the court: Bry Atchison.
A junior majoring in English, Atchison is one of the newest members of the Cavalier Girls dance team.
With the Cavs coming off a postseason berth that ended in the Finals, Atchison and the other Cavalier Girls will help keep the crowd in the game all seasonand hopefully into the post-season.
To be a Cavalier Girl means to be a super-fan, Atchison said. I have the awesome opportunity to stand in the front of the [arena], helping build the excitement of the fans and dancing for the city that I adore.
Atchsion has been dancing since she was 2 years old, so she had ample experience when she went up against 100 women for one of 20 spots at Cavalier Girl tryouts this past summer.
Her years of work paid off. Shes now part of the dance team, giving full center-court performances during each game, cheering on the sidelines throughout the evening and working to keep the crowds energy up during timeouts.
This isnt Atchisons first experience on a dance team for Cleveland sports: Two years ago, she was part of the Cleveland Gladiators dance crew.
But switching from arena league football to professional basketball meant some adjustments for Atchisonnotably, the increased time commitment. The Gladiators only had nine regular-season home games, compared to the Cavs 41.
Plus, the dancers typically must arrive at the arena three to four hours before tip-off, in order to complete a two-hour practice before heading out to the court to amp up the crowd.
In addition, Atchison makes time for her other passionsincluding being the reigning Miss Greater Cleveland and a former Miss Ohio contestant.
And, of course, there is her full course load at 窪蹋勛圖厙.
Originally, Atchison came to 窪蹋勛圖厙 to further her studies in dance, but when she joined the Cavalier Girls dance team, she decided to make her major a minor. Meanwhile, shes continued to pursue English as a major to prepare her for law school.
I cant even remember the first time I said Im going to be a lawyer, she said. Thats how long I think its been.
Atchison expects to graduate in December 2016 (a semester early), and hopes shell make the Cavalier Girls team next year so she can devote time to dance. Then, she intends to attend law schoolideally near a professional sports team so she can continue to dance.
Its my outlet. Its my way of dealing with whatever stresses or whatever good or bad feelings I may have, Atchison said. Everyone has that one thing that they look to whenever they just want to get away from reality or whatever it may be, and dance is mine.
See her in action at a Cavs game this seasonbut first, read her answers to this weeks five questions.
5 questions with junior English major, Cavalier Girl Bry Atchison
5QUESTIONS |
October 30, 2015
STORY BY: EDITORIAL STAFF
STORY BY: EDITORIAL STAFF