[0:00] But [0:01] >> the Miami Dolphin cheerleaders [0:04] were older. I mean, they looked older. [0:06] They had makeup on. It was like, "Wow." [0:08] You know, and they seem to get more [0:11] sideline [laughter] area than we did. [0:14] They got more sideline area than we did. [0:16] But it was it was an experience and it [0:18] was so funny. It was 55° [0:21] >> and a lot of us girls decided, "Wow, [0:23] this is warm. Let's go swimming." Oh, [0:25] >> and you had people in fur coats from [0:28] Miami that were sitting on the balcony [0:30] looking at us like, "What is wrong with [0:31] these people?" [0:39] >> Hello, St. Louis Park. This is Dr. [0:42] Cooper, assistant superintendent, and I [0:44] am so excited to be here with the Hall [0:47] of Fame Parkets that originated here in [0:50] St. Louis Park. Sitting next to me, I [0:52] have Cindy, I have Mary, I have Teresa [0:57] and Liz here. So, welcome. [1:00] >> Thank you. [1:01] >> Okay. Well, first off, please introduce [1:03] yourselves better than what I could [1:05] introduce yourselves and say what time [1:07] you was a part of the Parkett. [1:09] >> Okay. My name is Cindy Lubet Kaland and [1:12] I joined Parkettz in 1964 [1:16] and that was the first year the Parkett [1:18] cheered for the Vikings and I was in the [1:21] group for three years until I graduated [1:23] high school in ' 67. [1:25] >> Okay. [1:26] >> I'm Mary Bashet Miller and I was in from [1:28] 1973 to 1976. [1:32] I got to attend a Super Bowl and uh [1:36] graduated in 76. So my tenure was done. [1:39] >> All right. [1:41] >> I am Teresa Bisher and I was a parket [1:45] from 1978 to 1981 [1:50] and um [1:52] the last group that actually cheered at [1:55] the Met Stadium [1:58] >> um in an open field and one of the first [2:01] groups for the even the transformation [2:03] of uniforms. [2:04] >> Oh wow. Okay. I'm Liz Track and I uh was [2:09] a parket from 1974 to 1976. [2:13] My twin sister also became a parket her [2:16] senior year. So we had the opportunity [2:18] to dance together and I grew up over by [2:23] Fernhill. Yes. Where we grew up. I grew [2:24] up by Fernhill. [2:25] >> Okay. So you have all here from St. [2:28] Louis Park. So just share what area St. [2:30] Louis Park are you all from? [2:32] >> Well I'm from the same area Liz is. I [2:34] went to Fernhill Elementary School, [2:35] which is now Torah Academy, and that's [2:38] over on Japa and like 28th Street. [2:41] >> Okay. [2:41] >> And I grew up on Glennhurst, which is [2:43] the name of my street, up at the top of [2:45] a hill overlooking what we used to call [2:47] France Field and then Cedar Lake, but [2:49] now France Field isn't a field any [2:51] longer. I think it's swamp. [2:53] >> Okay. [laughter] [2:56] >> We grew up in uh St. Louis Park, [2:59] obviously. And um my junior and senior [3:04] high school years were on Zaron which is [3:07] about eight blocks from here. [3:09] >> Okay. [3:10] >> So [3:11] >> if if people didn't know I'm telling [3:13] sisters here. [3:13] >> Yeah. Sisters. [3:15] >> Yes. [laughter] [3:15] >> Yes. [3:16] >> Now so how did the Parkets form? I heard [3:18] there was a parent group parents behind [3:20] it. [3:21] >> Well I'll start. Um the parkets [3:24] themselves were formed in the late [3:25] 1950s. Um Fran Libby was the name of the [3:29] woman who helped form the group. Um and [3:32] it was a very small group at that time. [3:35] Um maybe about 10 girls. Um by the time [3:39] the 1960s rolled around, it became a [3:42] very very um something people really [3:46] wanted. The girls really wanted. So we [3:48] had maybe 90 to 120 girls try out every [3:51] year. Now this is the days when we this [3:53] is the baby boomer period. So I [3:56] graduated with a class of about 780 [3:58] kids. [3:59] >> Wow. [4:00] >> And the other thing I think it's [4:02] important to know is that this is before [4:04] um Title N went into effect. So um there [4:08] were no girls sports in those days at [4:10] all. And so the only activities, [4:12] physical activities you could do as a [4:14] girl was either the synchronized [4:16] swimming, the surf bells, cheerleading [4:18] or parkets. And there was 30 of us each [4:21] year. Um, [4:23] >> so out of 90 to 100 girls that will come [4:26] trial, 30 will make the team. [4:28] >> Well, 10 each year. Yeah. Oh, wow. [4:30] >> Um, but then, um, this is probably [4:32] getting to be more complicated than you [4:34] want, but but Mrs. Libby, um, was our [4:36] director. She designed all the costumes. [4:39] Um, I think I said once before we loved [4:42] sequins and fringe and color, which [4:44] wasn't something we necessarily did on [4:46] the Vikings um, [4:49] stadium, but um, she was very strict [4:52] with us. And we had a a point system [4:54] that was a little different than yours. [4:56] Ours just if you had 25 points off over [4:59] the course of a year, you had to try out [5:01] again. And you got 10 points off for [5:03] every absence from any practice for [5:06] whatever reason. didn't matter what the [5:08] reason was. [5:09] >> Wow. [5:09] >> So, um she was quite strict. We did not [5:12] have a parent group um because she was [5:14] the one in charge. [laughter] And um my [5:17] final year when we we every year the [5:20] park guests took a wonderful trip. My [5:22] senior year we went to um Hawaii and [5:26] that year some of the parents did a [5:28] fundraising. Um but that was kind of the [5:30] first time parents ever really got invol [5:32] involved. I know that girl other girls [5:34] they had their parents were much more [5:36] involved. [5:37] >> Okay. So, so we're gonna go a little bit [5:39] around about how did you all get [5:41] involved like how [5:42] >> in parkets? [5:43] >> Yes. [5:43] >> Well, my girlfriend her sister was a [5:46] parket sometime in 1978 somewhere in [5:49] that era. I'm not quite sure. But [5:52] >> she um got me to go watch her sister. [5:56] And at that time in the summertime they [5:58] would have what they called park teets. [6:01] So the Parkettes would teach the park [6:04] petit dance that they got to perform at [6:06] halftime at the Vikings. [6:08] >> I watched this and I watched those girls [6:10] and Mrs. Libby was still alive. So I got [6:12] to see her and her [6:14] >> her strict [6:17] >> you know discipline for the girls and [6:19] how they performed it was just amazing. [6:22] So I tried out for petites. At that time [6:26] there were really overwhelming amount of [6:29] kids. So I ended up being an alternate [6:31] as a park petite. [6:33] >> Wow. [6:33] >> Yeah. [6:34] >> And but I still had to go to every [6:36] practice. I had to learn the dances. [6:39] >> I just didn't have the costume and I [6:41] wasn't guaranteed to go. [6:42] >> So the parkit was at like a younger age. [6:44] >> Yeah. Nth grade. [6:46] >> My time it was ninth grade. I don't know [6:47] if it [6:48] >> was ninth grade all the way down like to [6:50] what would you say fourth or fifth? [6:51] Fourth. [6:52] >> Well, even fourth grade would teach the [6:55] puppet. [6:56] >> Ours was just ninth grade. Yeah. [6:58] >> Oh, well cuz that again our numbers were [7:00] so big. [7:00] >> Yes. [7:01] >> Oh wow. [7:01] >> But this was at that time too the Park [7:03] Betites had they were it was enormous [7:07] amount of kids, girls. [7:09] >> And I remember getting the phone call [7:11] that I I could dance at the game and I [7:14] was I didn't care what the how big or [7:16] small it was. I was getting in it and I [7:18] was going. [laughter] [7:20] And when I got to that field and I [7:22] looked at those girls out there, I said [7:23] to myself, "This is what I want. This is [7:25] what I'm going to strive for. And I'm [7:27] going to make it. [7:28] >> Wow. Okay. [7:29] >> And I did. [7:30] >> You did? And you did? Well, [7:31] >> she did. [7:32] >> I did. [7:33] >> How did you join? And well, it was dad [7:36] driven [7:37] >> and it was because our parents, it was [7:40] dad driven, Liz, because [laughter] um [7:43] the parents were involved at that time [7:46] >> and um our mother was on the board, but [7:49] also [7:51] >> the parents would sell um Viking [7:54] programs [7:55] >> at the games and I don't know, would you [7:58] say that was a way of us, you know, um [8:00] >> we got a portion of the of the proceeds [8:03] would go into our kitty. [8:04] >> Okay. [8:05] >> Parents had a wonderful time [8:08] >> and again that was at the Met Stadium. [8:10] So, you know, it was a whole different [8:12] ballgame really. And um really loved it [8:16] and um they had gone on the trips as [8:19] chaperones and so when I was in ninth [8:24] grade, [8:25] >> yeah, I was kind of like trice like [8:27] you're trying trying on and I was a park [8:29] petite. [8:31] >> Um anyway, so What? What? Great. I'll go [8:34] ahead. [8:34] >> Oh, I'm sorry. I was just going to say I [8:35] think my dad and my mother, they got [8:38] gate D and gate D was where the players [8:41] came in. [8:41] >> Oh, yeah. [8:42] >> So, my dad just thought, you know, he [8:44] was the coolest guy because he got to [8:47] talk to the players. He saw him come in [8:49] before the game and this was a huge [8:51] thing. So, I think [8:53] >> for him, he was like, I got to get back [8:55] there. She's got to get in cuz I got to [8:57] get back. [8:57] >> So, it was dad driven to get to go to [8:59] the games. [9:00] >> Yeah. [laughter] Yeah. Because after you [9:01] sold the tickets, the programs. Excuse [9:03] me. You went into the game. [9:04] >> Yeah. [9:05] >> And what was the name of the stadium? It [9:06] was [9:07] >> the Met Stadium [9:09] where the Mall of America is. That was [9:11] where the Met Stadium was. [9:12] >> Wow. [9:13] >> Okay. So, people know here is I'm from [9:16] Detroit. So, [9:17] >> so seeing that, ever since I came here, [9:19] I've always saw the Mall of America. So, [9:20] you got you got pushed into it. I want [9:23] to say push, but [9:25] >> Detroit. Yeah. So am I. [9:27] >> Because of the games and going. [9:29] >> Okay. And then you also saw your sister [9:31] as well. Yes. [laughter] [9:34] >> Yeah. [9:35] >> Now, Liz, how how did you join? [9:36] >> Similar to what Mary did, I was also a [9:39] park patite um my twin sister and I and [9:41] really the girls in the neighborhood. I [9:43] actually think we were younger than like [9:45] fourth grade, fourth or fifth grade [9:47] maybe. [9:47] >> And we practiced here outside of Central [9:50] Junior High outside and then [9:53] >> we performed I think it was halftime. [9:56] Um, and it was it was fabulous to be [10:00] able to be on the field and all of that. [10:02] >> Oh, so so practice was right right [10:04] >> in St. Louis Park, right? Central [10:07] uh front door. [10:09] >> So So how did it get from performing [10:11] here in St. Louis Park to getting to the [10:13] Vikings game? Like how did how did that [10:16] take place? [10:16] >> Well, why don't I start with that? Um [10:19] the Vikings [10:21] uh had a couple other um cheerleading [10:24] groups, maybe one year at a time, but [10:26] then in 1964 the Vikings contacted Mrs. [10:29] Libby, Fran Libby, and um recruited the [10:33] Parkets to come. And um we got paid $50 [10:37] a game. Um the Parkets kitty because we [10:41] always were raising money every year for [10:42] trips that we took because Parkets took [10:44] wonderful trips. Um, Max Winter, who was [10:48] the, um, owner of the Vikings, um, lived [10:50] in St. Louis Park. Um, in fact, they [10:52] lived a block away from me and, um, I [10:55] think he was interested. That's kind of [10:57] how they they got in contact to begin [10:59] with. [11:00] >> My sophomore year, then we cheered for [11:01] the Vikings. The next year the Edina [11:04] Hornets did it [11:05] >> and the Rockheads they were two groups [11:08] combined together and then I think they [11:10] decided they wanted to go back to the [11:11] Parkett because I think [11:13] >> we were more dependable or something. [11:15] I'm not sure what. So then [laughter] [11:17] from then on from well I would like to [11:19] say we were better but you know [11:21] >> what's interesting what's interesting [11:23] about that is when I was Parkquette I [11:25] actually thought we were the original [11:26] Parkettes and it wasn't until I became [11:30] on the NBC executive board that I [11:33] realized that we were not necessarily [11:36] the first group. [11:37] >> Cindy's was the first group of [11:39] Parkquettes. Yes. To actually cheer, but [11:42] like she said, there were two other [11:44] teams that were from other schools. [11:46] There was also a group, they were called [11:48] the V Queens. [11:49] >> Oh yeah. And here's an interesting kind [11:52] of connection to the Parkett. So there [11:54] were seven or eight of the Vikings. And [11:56] I encourage everyone to go to the cheer [11:58] wall when you go to the US Bank Stadium. [12:01] shows the lineage of [12:04] >> the cheerleaders as well as the parkets. [12:06] And so, um, the V queens, there were [12:09] seven or eight of them. [12:10] >> One of the women that was on that group [12:14] is actually an aunt [12:16] >> of a parket that we danced with. Okay. [12:19] So, there was even that connection back [12:21] then. And so then um the Parkets, like [12:24] Cindy said, came in from 64 to probably [12:28] 83 and cheered for the Vikings and then [12:31] it evolved into um [12:34] >> professional professional service. [12:35] >> Was there a PMP pom group? [12:37] >> So that was So the PMP pom group is what [12:41] what you're referring to is the Vikings. [12:44] They are the ones that were in ' 62 or [12:47] 63 [12:48] and they um [12:51] >> they did [12:52] >> palm and they did dance and they did [12:54] cheer. Much smaller group though. [12:56] >> Yeah, the Vik we had pom poms. I mean [12:58] that was you know we danced with pom [13:00] poms. We made our own pom poms. I could [13:02] still probably make one if I needed to. [13:04] >> And actually the parkets also were pom [13:08] pom girls. A small group of them were [13:10] pom pom girls for St. Park High and that [13:13] was part of Yeah, I was too. That was [13:15] our [13:16] >> And so was my sister. We that was [13:18] [laughter] that was our kind of like our [13:20] pay [13:21] >> to [13:22] >> to the district to St. Louis Park High [13:25] >> for using their facilities [13:27] >> because we weren't really we weren't we [13:31] weren't affiliated with the school. We [13:32] had no advisor. We didn't have anything [13:35] like that. We had the B. Well, we had [13:37] the board and you were run by Mrs. [13:39] Libby. But [13:40] >> um [13:41] >> so in in lie of [13:45] that we would dance at games, basketball [13:50] games, St. Louis Park high school [13:51] basketball games. We would provide [13:53] pompom girls for football and [13:55] basketball. [13:57] >> And then that was our our way of of kind [13:59] of paying rent. [14:00] >> One of my favorite parts of being a [14:01] parkat was dancing at basketball games. [14:04] Every home basketball game we danced at. [14:07] It was my one of my favorite parts. So, [14:09] how was practice? I mean, you all you [14:11] talked about how strict it was. [14:14] >> So, how was practice? Like, how many [14:16] hours, how much time went into this? [14:18] >> Well, again, going way back, 1964. Um, [14:22] practice two hours twice a week, every [14:24] Tuesday and every Friday [14:26] >> um for two hours, but it was all year [14:29] long. It wasn't just during the school [14:30] year. So, we rehearsed every [14:32] >> even in a summer. [14:33] >> All summer. [14:34] >> Did you guys switch days in the summer? [14:36] >> No, we did two days a week. two days a [14:38] week, even in the summer. And we were [14:40] hired a lot to go around by from [14:43] different groups to perform, nothing [14:45] having to do with the Vikings, but um so [14:48] we would be hired, I think I may may [14:50] have mentioned before, the state by the [14:51] state of Minnesota, to travel around the [14:53] state and perform at um all the prisons [14:58] and um state hospitals and then we would [15:01] be hired by private groups to go and [15:02] perform. So we always had um a program [15:07] of at least four different um dances um [15:10] that had nothing to do with the Vikings [15:12] and there was wonderful costumes and um [15:15] as I said fringe and sequins and can can [15:19] number and uh we danced at the St. Paul [15:21] winter carnival every year and were paid [15:23] for that. So it was it was a much [15:26] broader group. for these costumes. [15:29] >> There's leather, there's sequins. Who [15:31] came up with the ideas? Who made them? [15:34] >> Well, Miss We had We our seamstress was [15:37] um Miss Gibbs. [15:39] >> She did everybody. [15:41] >> Yeah. [15:41] >> And I think she even did the Park Petit [15:44] if I [15:44] >> That was nice about her. We had a um [15:47] kind of a reunion um after one of our [15:50] performances. She came and she was [15:53] honored by all of us for all of the work [15:56] that she did. So, she is still alive, [15:58] but she did [15:59] >> hand sew all of the costumes. [16:02] >> I want to get back though to the [16:04] question about um practices. So, in [16:06] addition to [16:08] >> twice a week, [16:09] >> my unit leader Rebecca had us practice [16:12] at her house. Oh, multiple times. So, [16:14] did we [16:15] >> a week and so [16:17] >> she was she wanted us to look the best [16:19] and be the best. And so in addition to [16:23] >> the rigor of our Tuesday, [16:25] >> the organized, [16:26] >> we had those extra practice. [16:28] >> We did too. [16:29] >> Now, did you have the same system? You [16:30] talked about points. Yes. [16:32] >> Did you have the same system? So it it [16:35] stayed consistent. [16:36] >> I was going to say yes and no because I [16:37] heard about your system, which there [16:39] were a few things that I was a little [16:40] upset to hear about that you had [16:42] weigh-ins for example that we never ever [16:44] had weigh-ins and I think that's [16:46] terrible that they did that. So, we also [16:49] had we were two days a week and it was [16:52] three it was three hours [16:54] >> and um summertimes depending what was [16:57] going on because we also did parades. [17:00] So, I don't know about you guys but in [17:02] front of um St. Louis Park High School, [17:05] >> right? That's I don't know it was when [17:07] cars were not going by. We would [17:09] practice in the street and then cars [17:11] would go by and I remember do you [17:13] remember that? Yes. Yeah. Um [17:15] >> do you remember that? But to the point [17:17] also where we had unit practices. So we [17:20] had 40 girls in our um in our group and [17:25] then we were divided into five units [17:27] according to height. [17:29] >> And then each unit would have a unit [17:32] leader [17:34] >> and [17:35] >> assistant leader [17:35] >> and an assistant leader. Um Tony Swiggum [17:40] who was our choreographer [17:43] she would have best unit at Viking [17:45] games. [17:46] >> So that's why you did want to practice [17:48] more. [17:49] >> Mhm. [17:50] >> Because she'd be watching [17:52] >> big incentive. [17:53] >> Mhm. [17:54] >> Yeah. Yeah. Scary too. [17:56] >> So [laughter] [17:57] >> yeah. Yeah. [17:58] >> So you performed at the Met Stadium [18:00] which is an outdoor stadium. [18:02] >> Yes. [18:03] >> Now it gets pretty cold here in [18:04] Minnesota. [18:05] >> Yes it does. How did you stay warm? I [18:07] saw some videos and I mean the air is [18:10] just the the the coming out of your [18:12] mouth. [18:12] >> I just thought that was so cool. [18:13] >> Me, too. It was so fun. [18:14] >> What did you do? How did you stay warm? [18:17] >> We had blankets. We had [18:20] >> um I don't know what you guys had. We [18:22] had what they call jagundas. [18:23] >> Oh, okay. What's that? [18:24] >> Jagunda is a big air moon boot. [18:27] >> Oh, I remember. You remember that? And [18:30] they they kind of had like a a nylon [18:34] covering over um foam. [18:38] >> Foam. Yeah. And then you would you would [18:40] secure them with a string in the back. [18:42] And they were purple, gold, and white. [18:44] >> And you know, you just prayed when you [18:46] were dancing that those bad boys stayed [18:49] on cuz I lost one [18:51] >> and it was hard getting it back. [18:53] >> Yeah. Well, they were slippery, too. I [18:55] mean, it was Yeah. Honestly, when you're [18:58] that young, I don't really You don't [19:00] care. [19:00] >> I don't think we really cared. [19:02] >> I cared. Did you? [19:03] >> Yeah, I did. I cared. [19:05] >> It was really cold. I mean, we had [19:06] little wool jumpers and then we had wool [19:09] sweaters and that was it. I mean, we [19:11] didn't have any blankets. We didn't wear [19:14] jackets. [19:14] >> It gets to be 10°. [19:16] >> I know. Or [19:16] >> negative. And um I have a picture of us [19:19] the first year and we have a little [19:21] tennis shoes on. Now, my second year, we [19:23] had go-go boots because that was cool in [19:26] 1966, [19:28] go-go boots. But and then we would put [19:30] plastic bags around our feet inside the [19:32] go- go to keep our feet a little warm, [19:34] but and then we wore flesh colored um [19:38] >> um tights. And that was it. It was cold. [19:42] It was very cold. [19:43] >> I don't know what you guys had. We had [19:44] ski jackets. Ski jackets. Ski jackets. [19:47] >> Oh, that [19:48] >> Yeah. But then we also went into [19:50] leotards. [19:51] >> Mhm. Right. Right. [19:52] >> Right. But I have to admit that I think [19:56] we had really good seasons. I think we [19:59] had one really bad day, one really bad [20:02] Sunday where it was seting and raining [20:04] where we had to take turns being out [20:07] >> so we could sit in the dugout. So it'd [20:09] be like two units would go out per [20:11] quarter and uh just because it we we [20:14] didn't come prepared and all we had were [20:16] those ponchos, those rain ponchos and [20:18] they were splitting because it was it [20:20] was um [20:21] >> so cold. [20:21] >> It it was cold and setleing and raining. [20:24] Do you remember that? There's a picture [20:25] of Sally [20:26] >> and actually some of the pictures I sent [20:28] you were the costumes. The jacket Yeah. [20:30] >> is in there and the rain poncho and [20:34] >> we we just made it work. [20:36] >> Yeah. It's amazing to hear that cuz I [20:37] watched the old NFL films, the purple pe [20:39] people eaters. [20:41] >> That was my ear sitting out there. It's [20:43] so cold. You all just like it was [20:45] nothing. [20:45] >> Yeah. [20:46] >> Well, I thought it was something. [20:47] >> I thought Oh, I loved it. [20:49] >> Honestly, my philosophy was if the [20:50] Vikings are out there playing and my mom [20:53] and dad who just sold all of the [20:55] programs to enable me to dance, we're [20:58] sitting in the stands. [21:00] >> I'm fine. [21:00] >> Yeah. [21:01] >> And it was And I think to Mary's point, [21:03] I really only remember [21:05] >> one bed. one bad game because if you [21:07] think about it too, the [21:10] >> season starts in the fall. [21:12] >> So, we had very lovely weather and then [21:15] because we didn't [21:18] >> we didn't make we didn't make it as far [21:19] as we could have. The season wasn't [21:21] necessarily that long. Yeah. [21:23] >> December. Well, [21:24] >> we pretty much made the playoffs though. [21:26] Yeah, we did every year in December. [21:27] Every year, [21:28] >> but you made it to the Super Bowl. [21:29] >> I made it to the Super Bowl. [21:30] >> So, how was that experience? [21:31] >> Oh my gosh, it was amazing. It was [21:34] amazing. We were in Houston, Texas. [21:39] >> We cheered at the Astradome. [21:41] >> Carl Casulki, who was a player that was [21:43] in a motorcycle accident. [21:45] >> Oh, yeah. [21:46] >> Uh, helped charter a North Central [21:49] Airlines for us. [21:51] >> Wow. [21:51] >> Um, I didn't know that either. [21:55] >> And we got flown down where normally [21:58] they took buses. [22:01] Um, and we stayed at the Rison in [22:06] Houston and um, I remember getting on [22:10] the field and we were cramped in the [22:14] sidelines. We played the Miami Dolphins. [22:16] We lost, but [22:18] >> the Miami Dolphin cheerleaders [22:21] were older. I mean, they looked older. [22:23] They had makeup on. It was like, wow. [22:26] you know, and they seem to get more [22:28] sideline area than we did. [laughter] [22:30] Yeah, they got more sideline area than [22:33] we did. But it was it was an experience [22:35] and it was so funny. It was 55° [22:38] >> and a lot of us girls decided, "Wow, [22:40] this is warm. Let's go swimming." [22:42] >> And you had people in fur coats from [22:45] Miami that were sitting on the balcony [22:47] looking at us like, "What is wrong with [22:49] these people?" You know, and we were [22:51] like, "Hey, it's fun." Now, [22:52] >> did you make connections with other [22:54] cheerleaders across the NFL and stuff [22:56] like that? [22:57] >> I didn't. [22:57] >> But when I was cheering, there was there [23:00] weren't any other cheerleaders [23:01] throughout the whole NFL. [23:02] >> You were the first. [23:03] >> But then, um, the Dallas, we called them [23:06] the Dallas Cowgirls. It was the Dallas [23:08] Cowboys cheerleaders. Um, and they were [23:10] the professionals. They were they had [23:12] different kinds of costumes than we did [23:15] >> back in that day. Really? They were [23:16] Dallas had one. Wow. I didn't realize [23:18] that. And they [23:19] >> they were different. As I said, they [23:21] wore different costumes than we did. [23:22] >> Yeah. [23:23] >> They were quite a bit older. [23:25] >> Yeah. [23:25] >> I would say one thing too as it relates [23:26] to the Super Bowl. I was a parket [23:30] >> after Mary started and then so that they [23:33] went to the Super Bowl that year and [23:35] then they went to the Super Bowl the [23:36] next year. And so that also that team [23:40] that went to the Super Bowl is I want [23:42] you to go to the cheer wall because [23:43] there's a picture of them. And then one [23:45] of our friends Kathy Mady gave us the [23:49] ticket that her mom and dad had for the [23:52] Super Bowl and we blew that up and it's [23:54] on the cheer wall. So, there's so much [23:56] history there [23:58] >> and like Mary got the opportunity to go [24:00] to the Super Bowl and [24:01] >> the next group did and it [24:04] >> it was awesome. Amazing. [24:06] >> So, you all have done so much and you [24:09] know you talked about discipline and [24:11] grit u to help you be successful and [24:14] everything that you've done. So, what is [24:16] something you would tell our students [24:17] here in St. most part [24:18] >> I think I would tell them that if you [24:20] see something [24:22] just go for it. Put everything you've [24:23] got into it because what you see and [24:26] what you can see you shall achieve. [24:28] >> Oh, I like that. [24:30] >> I don't know if I could say that any [24:32] better. Um [24:34] but yeah, I mean with anything with with [24:37] hard work if I mean if you have a dream [24:39] and and also to know that [24:42] >> it does take practice and it does take [24:45] practice and um with that you can you [24:49] can just achieve anything and not give [24:52] up but you have to really [24:54] >> you really have to put forth the effort [24:56] to do so. [24:58] >> So for me I would answer that. Um, so [25:01] let me take a step back. Yes. Um, as on [25:04] the board, we have to write letters to [25:06] all of the Viking cheerleaders every [25:07] year that they, um, [25:10] >> you know, it's their day of [25:13] >> like special moment. And so, um, I've [25:16] got some copies of them over there, but [25:18] what I tell them is if you're injured, [25:24] don't let that stop you. If you are [25:27] tired, [25:28] >> don't let that stop you. If you need [25:30] someone to help pick you up, go tap them [25:33] on the shoulder. Say, "Mary, I need [25:36] something. I need some help." And so, [25:38] this is all about, in my mind, being a a [25:41] village. And it starts with caring. It [25:45] starts with sisterhood. It starts with [25:48] putting your mind in front of the [25:51] situation and just avoiding, not [25:54] avoiding, but um living through [25:57] obstacles because the end result [26:02] >> is phenomenal. Like Mary and I don't [26:04] really connect that often, but when we [26:06] were doing the um interview a few weeks [26:09] ago, I said, "Mayor, do you want to do [26:12] it?" And so I could call her and just [26:14] say, "I need your help." [26:17] >> Or Cindy, [26:18] >> I I asked Cindy for pictures to put on [26:21] the cheer wall of the 1964 [26:24] group of Parkettes. [26:26] >> I didn't know Cindy, but I knew when she [26:28] graduated. So it's take a step [26:33] and it'll pay off years down the road. [26:36] That's what I would say to them. So my [26:38] even connection with that to just add on [26:40] I'm sorry to interrupt but I think a lot [26:43] of it even though it was really strict [26:46] >> is um we were we were pushed and I think [26:50] that's that's it due to the fact that we [26:53] were on a point system [26:55] >> um and it was you go to practice if [26:57] you're sick or I don't I don't get this [27:00] dance will you help me like everything [27:03] that you said Liz was the way that we [27:06] worked [27:07] together as a community [27:09] >> and we had to get [27:11] >> each other through it all because if [27:13] somebody looked bad, the whole team's [27:15] going to look bad, right? [27:16] >> So, you know, [27:18] >> yeah, [27:19] >> I get mad a lot other than um I think [27:22] the hard really hard work and even as [27:25] Liz was saying, even when it's hard, you [27:28] keep on going. Um, and I don't I taught [27:31] English for 37 years and I didn't always [27:34] see students have that same attitude of [27:36] this is too hard. I can't do it. [27:38] >> No, you can do it. You just have to [27:40] push. And if you can't figure it out, [27:42] you ask for help. And I I liked what you [27:44] all said about that. [27:46] >> Well, I can't thank you all enough for [27:47] this time talking about the bond and the [27:49] history. And you truly are mean so much. [27:52] So much. this community is so proud and [27:54] the legacy that you have in in bringing [27:56] on to our new uh Minnesota Vikings [27:58] cheerleaders and just what you've done [28:00] here in St. Louis Park. So, I thank you [28:03] for this time and continue to watch our [28:06] Park Pride podcast. [28:08] >> Thank you so much. [28:10] >> Thank you. [28:13] >> Take it year by year, just one step at a [28:16] time. It may take a little bit longer, [28:20] but the way you weave will be stronger. [28:23] Just take one step at a time. Just one [28:27] step at a time. [28:43] >> [music] [28:49] [music] [28:53] >> Check it out. [28:57] [music] [29:02] [music]