Seahawks Dancers

Lore & Background

The squad was originally called the Sea Gals. Sherri Thompson served as director for over 35 years, having been a Sea Gal herself for three seasons beginning in 1981. In 2018, Courtney Moore, a former Sea Gal and 2014 Pro Bowl representative, took over as director and remained through the 2019 rebranding to Seahawks Dancers. The first post-rebrand squad included 30 female and eight male dancers. The group moved away from traditional uniforms to multiple athletic looks and introduced new dance styles and tricks. The Seahawks Dancers also make community appearances. Notable former members include Amber Lancaster, a model on The Price Is Right and actress, and Yvette Van Voorhees, a member of the inaugural 1976 squad, Miss Washington World 1973, and actress in Xanadu.

Reader's Guide

The Seahawks Dancers represent a significant shift in NFL cheerleading by becoming, along with the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders, a permanent co-ed squad. The 2019 rebranding from Sea Gals to Seahawks Dancers reflected an effort to evolve entertainment, following earlier additions like the Blue Thunder drumline in 2004. The squad now performs classic NFL Jazz/Pom and Hip Hop styles. Audition requirements include being at least 18 years old and holding a high school diploma or equivalent. In 2020, auditions were held virtually. The Junior Seahawks Dancers program, for ages 7–14, offers clinics, a halftime performance, and other benefits, though the 2020 program was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The inclusion of male dancers places the Seahawks among a small group of NFL teams—including the Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee Titans, and New England Patriots—that have males on their squads.

Did You Know?

• The Seahawks Dancers were originally called the Sea Gals until a rebranding in 2019.
• The squad became a permanent co-ed team in 2019, one of only two NFL squads to do so at the time.
• Courtney Moore, a former Sea Gal and 2014 Pro Bowl representative, became director in 2018 and oversaw the rebranding.
• The Junior Seahawks Dancers program, for ages 7–14, was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.