They came from near and far last Sunday morning, all with hopes of one thing: becoming a San Diego Charger Girl.
Several hundred young ladies auditioned for the team on the first day of trials at the University of San Diego. Those who made the initial cut (some 65 to 70) would move to the next round, with the final selections set for this Friday.
According to Charger Girls director Lisa Simmons, there was a possibility the auditions could top last year’s turnout of just over 400 women.
“We have a huge talent pool to pull from,” Simmons said. “We not only have former cheerleaders from several different NFL teams here, but we also have one woman from Japan trying out.”
Women not only were auditioning from San Diego, but also from Orange County and Los Angeles, among other areas.
Along with those auditioning for the first time and those who didn’t make the cut before, there were also 15 veteran Charger Girls who would re-audition on this day.
“I think it is more stressful for the veterans,” said Simmons, a former Charger Girl herself. “On the one hand, they go in knowing so much more than those here for the first time. On the other hand, they know how much there is to lose.”
Among those trying out for the first time were several girls from the La Jolla and Pacific Beach areas.
La Jolla resident Stephenie Sharp was making her first go-round at auditions. A psychology/biology major in college, Sharp said she met some new friends in the first hour of the day.
“There is definitely a lot of anxiety right now,” Sharp said. “I’m here looking for the experience and it is a great opportunity.”
Pacific Beach resident Emily Griffiths, who was born and raised in San Diego, was also trying out for the first time.
“I am so nervous,” Griffiths said. “This would be a dream come true to make the team.”
Griffiths added that she has been a huge Chargers fan and a season ticketholder for the last decade.
Fellow PB resident Dawn Newbegin was making her first attempt at landing a spot on the squad.
“I’m going to turn the nerves into energy,” she said with a smile. “My sister was supposed to come with me today, but she didn’t.”
Newbegin added that she had made some new friends and was excited to have an opportunity to make the team.
Simmons said she could definitely relate to the anxiety that those auditioning go through.
“At first they are nervous, then excited, then eager to get registered,” Simmons said. “One of the great things about this is that many of them make new friends while they’re here.”
Simmons said the Charger Girls continue to blossom and have doubled their efforts in giving back to the community in the last two years.
“The Chargers as an organization have been extremely supportive of the Charger Girls,” Simmons added. “They take a lot of pride in the team, and I have a lot of respect for the girls.”
When all is said and done on Friday, a few dozen young ladies will embark on a new or return experience as members of the San Diego Charger Girls.