My Colorado

The Denver Rockettes

By Tammy Bain

Denver has always been a huge sports town, but I wonder how many fans remember that before we had the Denver Nuggets, we had an ABA team called the Denver Rockets? Games were played at the old Auditorium Arena downtown.

It was the 1973-74 season and I had just attended the Denver Rockets cheerleader tryouts, held at the old Cinderella City mall in Englewood. (This mall was torn down years ago, but was supposedly the largest mall west of the Mississippi when it was built.) On arrival, I learned I was supposed to bring my own 45 RPM record and have a routine ready for the tryouts. I had not been informed, but I was determined, so I borrowed a record and adlibbed a routine on the spot!

Much to my amazement and delight, I was selected to be a member of the "Rockettes" cheerleading squad. We were fortunate to have Sue Parker, sister of the well-known Cleo Parker Robinson, as our choreographer.

The now-defunct Joslins department store acted as our sponsor and ordered our rather conservative (by today's standards) uniforms of purple and gold. The outfits consisted of long-sleeved purple shirts, matching lycra skirts, gold sweater vests and purple tennis shoes. Not particularly flashy, but we felt daring when we traded in our purple shirts for tank tops at photo shoots!

Practices were held a couple of times a week at the Regis College gym. Sue was always willing to take suggestions on adding our own moves to routines. We danced to oldies like "Louie Louie" and "Green Onions" as we twirled our big purple-and-gold pom poms.

It's hard to describe the excitement of game nights—the sounds, smells and the butterflies I felt. Besides performing, we greeted patrons at the various entrances to the old arena, where we gave out Denver Rockets team souvenirs. The fans were always so enthusiastic and friendly. During time-outs, we threw red, white and blue miniature ABA basketballs into the stands and the crowd would go crazy trying to catch one.

The game I remember most was the night Wilt Chamberlain attended. I remember how graciously he signed autographs for the fans. Eventually the ABA merged into the NBA and the rest is history. Now, if only the Denver Nuggets would consider a "senior" cheer squad!

Your Turn

Do you have a special memory or humorous story about living in Colorado? EnCompass is looking for original essays that capture the uniqueness of our state. Payment is $60 upon publication. Entries must be typed, double-spaced and 350-450 words. Please include a daytime phone number. Entries will not be returned. Mail to: EnCompass, Attn: My Colorado, 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver, CO 80222, or email: editor@colorado.aaa.com. A response to a submission may take six to eight weeks.

 

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