Ball State University - Orient Yearbook (Muncie, IN)

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Rocky Rothrock TWO Dallas Cowboys’ Cheerleaders perform one of the high-stepping numbers’ from their world-famous half-time act. All though Eastern Michigan defeated Ball State, the cheerleaders kept the crowd’s spirits high. Rocky Rothrock Breaks between routines give a TWO Dallas Cowboys’ Cheerleaders Dallas Cowboys’ Cheerleader a perform their world-famous, high- chance to catch her breath. The stepping routine at the Parent’s Day women had little opportunity to rest game. The cheerleaders kept spirits during their weekend in Muncie. high despite Ball State’s loss. Rocky Rothrock | Dallas Cowboys’ Cheerleaders® I 3

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Dallas Cowgirls dazzle parents Cheerleaders sparkle at Parent's Day Variety Show Cheerleaders sparkle at Parent’s Day Variety Show eby Robin Jo Millse The Dallas Cowboys’ Cheerleaders couldn't keep Ball State from losing to Eastern Michigan 27-24, but their renowned half-time entertainment scored a touchdown with the fans. Similarly, their appearance at the annual Parent’s Day Variety Show was a successful combination. The Cowgirls efforts and those of various University musical and dancing groups proved the highlight of the day. With a flash of color, the parent's day show opened with the University Singers covered in red and rhinestones, belting out “The Varsity Drag.” Although the sound system left much to be desired, the excitement and enthusiasm of the Singers started the show on a high note. After a jazzy opening, the Singers slowed down with another oldie, “My Funny Valentine,” followed by “We Go Together,” from the musical “Grease.” The Singers ended their show in a patriotic flare with a lively rendition of “America.” The audience was slightly surprised, but delighted, by the second perform- ing group--Ball State's Marimba Ensemble. Sounding like old- fashioned calliopes, the Marimbas’ music amused and pleased the crowd. The players performed several numbers from ragtime to the classic “William Tell Overture.” The variety and talent displayed by the relatively unknown group was impressive. The Banevolks, the acclaimed folk dancing group, took the stage next. They started with a demonstration in clogging, a down-home style of danc- ing. The group members clip-clopped and ‘yahooed’ their way through rous- ing country music. The Banevolks continued with a group of women performing a slow, quiet dance with wreaths. Then the men took the stage in the flurry of a 1 2 Dallas Cowboys’ Cheerleaders Russian folk dance, complete with traditional Russian fur caps and sword fights. The final university organization to perform was the Ball State Marching Band. Accompanying the band as it played Glenn Frey’s “The Heat is On” were both the flag corps and the Cardettes. With the flag corps per- forming in the side aisles and the band occupying the back half of the stage, the Cardettes were the main at- traction as they danced and kicked their way across center stage. After the Cardettes and flag corps filed out and the band cleared the stage, preparations began for the even- ing’s main attraction, the Dallas Cowboys’ Cheerleaders. The Cheerleaders stormed the stage, flashing pearly whites and wearing the traditional outfit of white shorts with a blue belt and white stars, blue blouse, white vest with fringe and blue stars, and white boots. The show opened with Neil Dia- mond’s “In America” and the Cheerleaders took the stage, dancing in the large, quick-moving circle seen often in their routines. The group then immediately moved into a dance to the Huey Lewis tune “The Heart of Rock ’n’ Roll.” The fast-paced number came complete with lots of high kicks, shaking pom pons, and the smiles and energy for which the organization is known. Following the first two numbers, the women took a short break, in- troduced themselves, and told the au- dience a little about themselves and their activities. One surprising fact was that, of the sixteen performing, all but four were 20 years old or younger. A not-so- surprising fact was that most of the group was from the south, which pro- vided a lot of “howdy, y’all” in the introductions. The second part of their act began a la “Flashdance,” with music from that movie and “Staying Alive.” Wearing black and red sequined leotards and headbands, the girls displayed gym- nastics, ballet, leaps and jumps. Next it was time for a little old-style dancing. Two of the women, in out- fits that would be the envy of any flapper, broke into a hammed-up ver- sion of the Charleston. This was followed by a genuine burlesque dance routine to “All That Jazz,” in- cluding bumps, grinds, shimmees and hot pink feather boas. Michael Jackson doesn’t have a thing on these women in the dance department. The group swept through a string of Jackson’s songs with moves made famous in his videos and some original routines that would make Jackson’s head spin. In a hilarious spectacle, two members of the squad performed to “Ghostbusters.” The women, looking like two blue ghosts, floated over the stage in ‘dance bags’ while the au- dience nearly fell off their seats in laughter. The Cheerleaders proved they are more than just excellent dancers. Various members of the squad are also talented singers, which they demonstrated with ‘Singin’ in the Rain” while the other women danced wearing raincoats, holding brightly colored umbrellas. Cops and criminals took the stage with the accompaniment of “Axel F” and “The Heat Is On” from the film “Beverly Hills Cop.” Not to worry, though. The good guys won and the bad guys got a “New Attitude” with the aid of Patti LaBelle. The Dallas Cowboys’ Cheerleaders, considered the “All-American Girls,” could end the show in nothing less than a patriotic blaze of glory with a jazzed-up rendition of “Yankee Doodle Dandee” and with the women singing “God Bless the USA.”@

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1 4.Watermelon Bust eby Cheri Evanse Brightly colored balloons decorated every fence corner, tent top and sign post in LaFollette field. Each balloon, intoxicated with helium, tugged at the thin, white thread which held it cap- tive, bumping and bouncing wildly in an odd freedom dance. Below, bright- ly outfitted students gathered over the field in excited clusters, alternately huddling and breaking apart to leap and cheer in their own strange rituals. The noise from the ground rose toward the clear blue sky, ac- companied by a few stray balloons which had escaped with the wind. The balloons were stamped “Watermelon Bust ’85,” but no one had to read them to know; “Bust,” as finalists, Queen Kim oversees the campus. Selected from a panel of five Buckman festivities at Watermelon Bust. The queen was selected by penny voting which took place at selected stations around elon bustin’ Frivolous food feasts are festival favorites it was called, was Ball State’s biggest student-sponsored event of the year. Everyone knew of the festival, which was backed by Delta Tau Delta frater- nity and Alpha Chi Omega sorority to raise money for the Isanogel Center and the Indiana Cystic Fibrosis Foun- dation. And, everyone anticipated the festival’s combination of food (watermelon), contests (watermelon games) and general frivolity (watermelon fights). Bust offered, as Angie George, Alpha Chi Omega publicity chairperson, put it, “a chance for EVERYONE to get involved--greeks, independents, (dor- mitory) halls, the community, facul- ty.” Once the teams of students--dressed in everything from green shorts and green-painted bodies, to football jerseys to surgical outfits and hard hats--gathered and “mentally prepared,” Bust organizers tried to call everyone into readiness. The microphone boomed into operation. “No drinking during the games,” said a female voice firmly. “And please, no animals on the center field,” she added, as a spectator and his dog drifted across the marked- off lanes. Bob and Tom, popular radio per- sonalities who had emceed Bust for the past several years with their color- ful commentary, then appeared. Jac- quie Momper, Alpha Chi Omega chairperson of Bust, said of the pair, “They cost more (to get) this year continued Mark R. Smith Watermelon Bust provides Greeks and independents alike the opppor- tunity to show their spirit and have fun in the sun. This participant was determined not to let opportunity, or the watermelon, slip through his fingers. f