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Glamour Meets Girl-Next-Door

Leigh Killian, Cheerleader

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Story by Chris Kuhn

Published: October 8, 2007

The picture says it all. A young girl, 9 or 10 years old, dresses up in her Bucs cheerleader uniform and roots enthusiastically for the team. It's a common sight in the Bay area, but who would have guessed this photo was taken in Greensboro, N.C.?

"I grew up with two older brothers, so I've always been a football fan since I can remember. And the Cowboys and Bucs were my two favorite teams," says Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleader Leigh Killian.

But just as a love of football was in the blood, so too was a desire to perform. "I started cheering and dancing when I was 3 years old. I was the mascot for my brother's little league team and cheered throughout college," she says.

After studying criminal justice and psychology at Appalachian State University, Killian ventured to the Tampa Bay area to fulfill one of her dreams: becoming an NFL cheerleader. "I remember walking into the audition and here were 400 to 500 beautiful, talented, career-oriented women, all wanting the same thing," she recalls. "It was scary and very intimidating, but I psyched myself up and gave it a try."

Since joining the Bucs cheerleading squad six years ago, Killian has been amazed how much she's been able to do and see. "Every year, the program grows and gets better. We've been so many incredible places. In 2002, we traveled overseas to Egypt for a military tour, and last year, we went to Hawaii for another military visit and the calendar shoot. Learning from the other women and the organization, and especially traveling and seeing the world has really opened my eyes."

Juggling the squad's busy schedule with a full time job and any kind of social life at all can be a daunting task but this 29-year-old says she's learned to adjust.

"I think people would be surprised how hard we work and that we're busy most of the year," she says. "With practice twice a week, field rehearsal the day before a game and over 370 appearances a year, being a professional cheerleader takes a minimum of 20 hours a week.

When you combine that with a 40-hour job plus charity and corporate events, it can be challenging sometimes."

Killian enjoys every opportunity to get involved with the squad to help local groups and charities at community events, such as Metropolitan Ministries and the Salvation Army. But some groups hold a special place in her
heart. "My favorite events are those that help animals – like for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society. I've done a lot of work for both of them." (She adds that she has two adorable,
affectionate Shih Tzus at home.)

Though she lives in Lakeland, she loves trekking through the Bay area's premier shopping and entertainment venues, including International Plaza and Channelside. She also enjoys jogging and kickboxing, but her favorite
place to be is in a movie theater. A self-proclaimed film buff, she usually catches two new movies weekly and even offers her official "thumbs up" to recent box-office hit "The Bourne Ultimatum."

Killian works fulltime as a senior correctional probation officer in Riverview and specializes in violent offenders. "Fortunately, I can build my work schedule around cheerleading and upcoming appearances, so the job is flexible but it can be frustrating when you try really hard to help people and give them the opportunity they need, and then they get arrested or offend again," she says. "You believe in them, but sometimes it just doesn't
work out."

Always interested in criminal justice, she still dreams of joining the FBI someday. For now, she loves having the opportunity to perform. "Cheerleading has helped me grow as a person. I used to be shy and introverted,
but I'm a whole different person now," she says. "I always say you need to be the glamorous girl-next-door, and have a well-rounded personality and natural showmanship."

"You don't cheer for self-promotion or glory. You do it because you love to dance and perform. And to experience the bond that develops with these remarkable young women. And if you work hard, you'll be rewarded."

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