The NFL Carolina Panthers Cheerleaders are known as the TopCats.[1] They were founded in 1996 by Leslie Stephenson Matz,[2][3] they revealed their inaugural squad of 35 members, their original logo and their name on July 10, 1996 at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, NC.[4] The original choreographer was Kimberly Pixton Horner, and the Cheer Assistant was Leigh Christi Smith.
The 1996–1997 TopCats Cheerleaders Inaugural Squad
edit- Tina Adamczak[5]
- Tara Ballard
- Tammy Baqui
- Regina Beasley
- Anne-Marie Bozzacco[3]
- Pam Burks
- Jewel Butler
- Amy Coleman
- Lenee' Cook
- Julie Cox
- Tracy Day
- Michele Dearing[6]
- Tina Dietrich (Becker)[7]
- Jennifer Ellis
- Denis Graham
- Felicia Grant[8]
- Shelley Graves[9]
- Stephanie Hilton
- Allison Hustad
- Lori Knox
- Ella Lee
- Melissa Morrison
- Regina Polk
- Nicole Price
- Janelle Rayford
- Julie Roberts
- Melanie Rogers
- Leigh Ann Spence
- Joetta Talford[8]
- Vicki Tharrington
- Arinn Walters
- Ellen Watson
- Lisa Weekly
- Cyndi Wells
History
editOver 400 women auditioned for the Carolina Panthers Cheerleading squad in 1996 at Winthrop Coliseum in Rock Hill, SC.[2][8] The after the initial cuts, the final 64 auditioned on April 2, 1996 in Charlotte, NC at the Carillon Tower in Charlotte, NC,[2] the site of the original administrative offices of the Carolina Panthers football team.[10]
1996–1997 Calendar
editThe Carolina Panthers wanted their first year's calendar to be rated "PG," according to Director of Special Events & Cheerleading, Leslie Matz.[5] They chose to showcase the cheerleaders in the stadium in their uniforms, in suits and without any bathing suits. Tina Adamczak, a former Buffalo Bills cheerleader, graced the cover of the calendar wearing the team's uniform, while sitting in the center of the practice field.[5]
References
edit- ^ "TopCats Cheerleaders Home". www.panthers.com. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ a b c "TopCats Finals: Cheering the easy part: Pop-quiz puts Panthers candidates on the spot". The Charlotte Observer. 1996-04-03. p. 25. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ a b "Panthers squad will begin practice tonight | Leslie Matz". The Charlotte Observer. 1996-04-03. p. 32. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ "This Day in Panthers History". www.panthers.com. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ a b c "TopCats Calendar Strictly PG Rated". The Charlotte Observer. 1996-09-11. p. 20. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ "3 Cheers for "Topcat' from Durham: Michele Dearing". The Herald-Sun. 1996-12-03. p. 24. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ "Tina Becker: From Top Cats to running the Carolina Panthers". The Charlotte Observer. 2018-01-14. pp. A21. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
- ^ a b c "Winthrop Alumni Felicia Grant & Joetta Talford Make The Carolina Panthers TopCats Squad". The Herald. 1996-07-11. p. 13. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ "Skybox fans eat, drink and stay nice and cool | TopCat Shelly Graves mingles in Suites". The Charlotte Observer. 1996-08-04. p. 13. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ "Panthers Notebook: Leslie Matz feels confident the club will field an outstanding cheerleading squad". The Charlotte Observer. 1996-04-02. p. 15. Retrieved 2024-09-26.