Ashante’ and Katie are both passionate about science — and football.

In addition to their busy academic schedules as students in Wayne State University’s College of Nursing, the two women are Detroit Lions cheerleaders.

Selected after a rigorous audition process that drew more than 300 women, Ashante’ and Katie have the distinct honor in being part of what many are calling Detroit history. The 28-member squad’s premiere performance this September marked the first time since the 1974-75 season that the team — and its fans — has had cheerleaders.

Both Ashante’ and Katie, who are currently enrolled in the College of Nursing’s B.S.N. Second Career/Degree accelerated pathway program, have previous dance experience and saw the opportunity as a chance to take their talents to the next level.

“I’ve danced my whole life and I was excited and ready to take it to the professional level, especially in Detroit,” Katie said. “I grew up in metro Detroit and I love what’s happening in the city right now.”

Ashante’ (pictured, above) also grew up near the city and is excited to play a part in its revitalization.

“Detroit has always had my heart,” she said. “To be going to school here and doing what I love is a blessing.”

To prepare for home game performances, the women attend practices three times per week and spend their free time at the gym. The squad’s performances include choreography that Rebecca Smoker, director of the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders, described as a dance-cheer hybrid. The group’s performances are seen by more than 60,000 fans.

“We really take pride in being a strong, physically fit team,” Ashante’ said. “Being physically fit makes it easier for us to stand on the field for four quarters and keep the crowd entertained and the energy up.”

The inaugural squad, in many ways, gets to write its own playbook.  

“In many ways, we’re building from the ground up. That’s an opportunity that some of the other squads within the league won’t necessarily get because of deep-rooted traditions,” said Smoker. “Performing in the NFL is one of the most unique opportunities for professional dancers. You’ve got to be ‘on’ at all times, and everything you do has to be visual. All eyes are on you and everyone’s got a camera — it’s an elevated level of exposure and the interaction with the fans is very intimate.”

Ashante’ and Katie both enjoy the interactions they get to have with fans during the games, and they chose to pursue careers in nursing because of the intimate role a nurse plays in a patient’s care and recovery.

“Wayne State has a great nursing program,” said Katie (pictured, right), who earned her first bachelor's degree from Michigan State University. “I like being there for people when they need help the most, and I’ve always loved science. For me, nursing was the perfect way to combine the two.”

Ashante’, who earned her first bachelor’s degree from Prairie View A&M University in Texas, wants to use her interest in science and research to directly impact patients.

“I originally wanted a career focusing on microbiology and immunology,” she said. “On a greater scale, you’d be coming up with medications and understanding the disease processes, but I want to use that knowledge beyond a microscope.”

Both Ashante’ and Katie are already giving back as cheerleaders. The squad — whose members include businesswomen, mothers, professional dancers and students — also serves as a group of ambassadors within the city by participating in community events. The group has brought lunch to the Detroit Police Department, visited Selfridge Air National Guard Base to thank service members, and will host youth cheer and dance clinics, as well as audition clinics for future squad candidates.

 “Everyone on the team is a role model in what they do,” said Smoker. “We’ve focused on being technically sound as dancers, and both the practices and performances are intense, but these women are all totally committed to the team and to the city.”

You can learn more about the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders online or see them in action during home games. The squad will be featured performers with Andy Grammer during the Thanksgiving Halftime Show on Thursday, Nov. 24, when the Lions take on the Minnesota Vikings.

Photos courtesy of DetroitLions.com