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PHOTO COURTESY UT ATHLETICS assorted UT students filed out on the
floor. Suddenly lights dimmed, specta-
The Georgettes appear at events throughout the Georgetown and Austin areas, tors rose to their feet and a pyrotechnic
customizing each performance to fit the venue. Audiences range from families show began! Shouting voices swirled, the
and children to residents of assisted living facilities. loudspeakers boomed and the band rose
to a fever pitch. I fished my earplugs out
Continued from the previous page at sixth. Both teams were preparing for of my purse and put them in.
a fierce game.
tines twice. Their only witnesses are a The ladies were primed and ready to
handful of UT security personnel and With thirty minutes remaining, the are- dance, entertain and have some fun. Be-
floor workers, who provided a round of na was filling quickly. Men with huge cause UT basketball games are televised
applause – not to mention a wolf whistle plastic bags passed out long orange and live, the group’s dances would have to fit
or two - when the rehearsal is complete. white balloons – everyone wanted one, a strict time limit. Though any routines
and soon balloons waved about from performed during commercial breaks
At one hour to go, UT’s “white squad” every angle. From a smoke-filled hall- are not seen by viewers at home, those
cheerleaders began their practice run- way, the players bounced onto the floor, at the game still get to enjoy the show
through. Game preparations were wrap- welcomed by thousands of screams and from the stands. With its largest crowd
ping up and spectators had begun to whistles pouring from the stands. The since 2013, 8,996 spectators watched as
drift in. The excitement was mounting. band commenced to playing at full throt- the Georgettes took to the floor.
The band tuned their instruments. UT’s tle. Fans yelled and cheerleaders clapped.
Longhorns, ranked fourth in the nation, I turned off my hearing aids. Organized How does this young university crowd
warmed up across the court from their confusion reigned as players, public and act when they see these lovely ladies -
opponents, Baylor’s Lady Bears, ranked whose ages range from 57 to 81 - per-
form? You had to see to believe it! Thun-
38 | SUNRAYS MARCH 2016 derous applause and whistles poured
from the stands as the dancers made
their entrance. After shaking their
burnt orange pom-poms to Taylor Swift’s
“Shake It Off” and Pitbull’s “Timber,”
the Georgettes beamed as the deafen-
ing crowd gave them a standing ovation.
On the concourse, admirers called to
the ladies, shouting, “Great job!” and
“You guys are great!” as they walked by.
Some stopped and wanted their photos
taken with the group, who happily posed
with families and children as iPhone
cameras clicked away. Several people
fought the crowd to come over and shake
their hands.

After a whirlwind second half, com-
plete with more acts and a second per-
formance by the Georgettes, the game
came to its dramatic conclusion with
Baylor defeating UT, 57-33. Despite the
team’s loss, the event was wonderful.
Back on the bus, we all reflected on the
day. We couldn’t just call it a game –
with the Georgettes’ added sparkle, it
was an extravaganza - one I truly hope
to repeat often.

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