Carolina Panthers Cheerleaders

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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.

Contents

The 1996–1997 TopCats Cheerleaders Inaugural Squad

History

Over 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

The 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]

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References

  1. ↑ "TopCats Cheerleaders Home". www.panthers.com. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  2. 1 2 3 "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.
  3. 1 2 "Panthers squad will begin practice tonight | Leslie Matz". The Charlotte Observer. 1996-04-03. p. 32. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  4. ↑ "This Day in Panthers History". www.panthers.com. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  5. 1 2 3 "TopCats Calendar Strictly PG Rated". The Charlotte Observer. 1996-09-11. p. 20. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  6. ↑ "3 Cheers for "Topcat' from Durham: Michele Dearing". The Herald-Sun. 1996-12-03. p. 24. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  7. ↑ "Tina Becker: From Top Cats to running the Carolina Panthers". The Charlotte Observer. 2018-01-14. pp. A21. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  8. 1 2 3 "Winthrop Alumni Felicia Grant & Joetta Talford Make The Carolina Panthers TopCats Squad". The Herald. 1996-07-11. p. 13. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ "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.
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