Beauty and Talent Shine: Part 3 of 3
Mary-Ann Williams
Sunday March 4, 2001
“Starting tomorrow, you will all be on a diet.” Cathy Core, president of C.C. Company of Illinois, Inc. and director of the Chicago Luvabulls, sat on a chair in front of her newest charges, back straight, knees together and ankles crossed. She exuded confidence and class. Her years as a dancer and dance team coordinator produced a natural grace and ease.
 2001 Inaugural Chicago Rush Dance Team Image courtesy of Drew Kennedy |
The floor erupted in murmurs. Barely an ounce of excess fat resided on these beautiful women, and still they needed to watch what they ate. The veterans nodded sagely, trying to reassure the others. Having danced professionally either as an instructor or as a Luvabull for the Chicago Bulls, they knew coming in what would be expected of them. The skin-tight costumes and intense audience attention offered nowhere to hide any unsightly extras. The rest of the team merely blinked, waiting to hear more.
Cathy threw the practice schedules at them: every Tuesday and Thursday three-hour practices. Show up in full make-up and hair done. Even at practices they represented the team. Everyone had a shot at performing on game day, but of the 19 on the team, only 16 would perform. That meant every Thursday before the game a try-out would be held and whoever knew the dance the best would need to be at the arena early Saturday. The other three could enjoy an evening off. They would also not be paid that night.
As for pay, that didn’t reveal itself at this session. Cathy preferred to leave the money aspect behind closed doors. She did reveal that part of the package of benefits included two tickets per game per dancer. Given the hope that those seats will be snapped up by the fans, the tickets represent quite a bonus. The dance team will also be expected to perform at various promotions events, some hosted by the team, others specific to them, such as bar parties, parades, or other city functions. The dance-team-specific appearances will mean additional pay for the ladies, as well as more exposure.
With exposure comes responsibility. The women couldn’t drink or smoke in uniform. (In fact, smoking was strictly forbidden at all times, in or out of uniform.) The morals clause in their contract also forbade them to have personal relations with anyone on the Chicago Rush football team or coaching staff. Conducting themselves as ladies at all times, they must dress the part whenever involved in a Chicago Rush Dance Team event, from the practice gym to the 50-yard line.
So many rules. Who would take on such a task?
The 19 women range in age from 20 to 29. Several dance professionally in different dance studios around Chicagoland. Others tend bar, teach, or take classes themselves. Fascinating and diverse, the team consists of more than gorgeous faces and sexy bodies.
Twenty-four year old Rebecca of Bolingbrook tends bar by night, and takes classes and cares for her two young children by day. Wynne, 29 from Naperville, spends her time raising money for an environmental protection organization. An Iowan by birth, 26-year old Beth works on her PhD in neuro-psychology now that she’s in Chicago. Nanette teaches dance and works as a choreographer in Park Ridge while she works toward directing a performing arts center of her own. Each woman has a unique story to tell, but they all came together for the same reason.
It’s not the money. It doesn’t provide much more than a manicure. It’s the desire to dance and possibly become known in a world of unknowns. That desire permeates each of their lives. The stressful try-outs, the arduous practices, the picky dress codes, and extreme rules of conduct equal a chance at fame to these ladies. If it means being able to perform, to “make the fans smile,” as Rebecca said, it’s all worth it.
Mary-Ann Williams lives in Chicagoland with her four children, Carter, Jackson, Jeremy, and Riley Jade. As a freelance writer, she`s written articles for the Associated Press, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and the Daily Herald. She also serves as editor of the AFL-side of Arenafan Online, and covers the Chicago Rush.
