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San Francisco 49ers CheerleadersSan Francisco Gold Rush |
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 The
San Francisco Gold Rush is the official cheerleading squad of the
NFL’s San Francisco Forty-Niners.One of the first professional cheer squads, the Gold Rush have appeared on the FOX Network, ESPN, Entertainment Tonight, MTV and many others. Besides performing at Niners’ home games, they also appear at events across the United States (around 300 per year) and donate time and money to many charitable organizations. These include: Special Olympics, American Cancer Society, Children’s Miracle Network, Ronald McDonald House, March of Dimes, Susan Komen Foundation, American Diabetes Association and the Shriner’s Hospital. San Francisco 49ers Cheerleaders - Early YearsThe Gold Rush was first created as a coed squad in 1979. Named after the event which brought millions of people to California, the Gold Rush remained coed until 1983. That year, the all-female group was founded by e2k, a sports entertainment group which has since managed the squad for over 25 years. About the Gold Rush CheerleadersMembers of the squad usually range from 18 to 28, although there is no maximum age limit. Most Gold Rush members either attend college or have careers. In the past, schools such as UCLA, Stanford, M.I.T. and UC Berkeley have all been proudly represented by the squad. Upon graduation, 49ers’ cheerleaders have went on to become presidents of companies, doctors, executives, teachers, actresses and marketing directors. Auditions for the Gold Rush have drawn women from all around the globe, including as far away as Tokyo, Japan. Others have traveled from states such as Utah, Hawaii and Florida just for a chance to make the team. Squad auditions usually draw around 400 hopeful entrants. Originally a squad of 36 girls, the Gold Rush roster was expanded to 40 in 2001. Gold Rush AuditionsTo be eligible to join the Gold Rush, you must be at least 18 years of age. The registration fee for auditions is $15. Applicants will be judged on showmanship, crowd appeal and dance ability. During each phase of the audition process, candidates will be taught a dance routine and then be expected to perform it in front of a panel of judges. Being a member of the Gold Rush is considered a part-time job. Therefore, members of the squad are encouraged to attend college or have a career, but it is not a requirement.
Notable Gold Rush MembersWhile all members of the Gold Rush are special in one way or another, there are two that are best known to the general public. They are:
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