When you think about the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders 2017 squad, you probably see the boots, the stars, and the blue-and-silver pom-poms. It’s an American icon. But honestly, that specific year was a massive turning point for the organization, and it wasn't just about the sidelines at AT&T Stadium.
The 2017 squad was special. Really special.
They were navigating a world where reality TV was peaking, and the pressure on these women was at an all-time high. Kelli Finglass and Judy Trammell weren't just looking for "good" dancers anymore; they were looking for elite athletes who could handle a 24/7 spotlight. If you watched Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team Season 12, you saw the grit behind the glamour. It wasn’t all smiles.
The Brutal Reality of the 2017 Auditions
Making the cut for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders 2017 team was basically a marathon through a minefield. Out of hundreds of hopefuls, only a handful actually got to put on the uniform.
The 2017 training camp was notoriously tough. Think about the rookies who had to prove themselves against veterans who had been there for four or five years. It’s intimidating. You have world-class choreographers like Charm La'Donna coming in and pushing girls to their physical limits.
We saw girls like Savannah and Christina struggling with "showmanship" while powerhouses like KaShara Garrett were taking the lead. KaShara, specifically, became a fan favorite because she had this raw, infectious energy that couldn't be taught. She was the epitome of what the 2017 squad needed—personality that reached the back row of the nosebleeds.
The Veterans vs. The Newbies
There is a weird dynamic in the DCC world.
The veterans aren't safe. Ever. In 2017, we saw established dancers getting "called into the office" for everything from weight fluctuations to losing their "sparkle." It sounds harsh because it is. This isn't a hobby; it's a high-stakes professional brand. The 2017 season saw 36 women make the final roster, but the road there was littered with broken dreams and sore hamstrings.
Why 2017 Was a Cultural Shift for the DCC
Before 2017, the cheerleaders were mostly seen as "the girls on the sidelines." But this year, the focus shifted toward their individual stories and their professional lives outside of the stadium.
💡 You might also like: Why Isn't Mbappe Playing Today: The Real Madrid Crisis Explained
You had nurses, teachers, and business professionals on that squad.
The 2017 season highlighted the "multi-hyphenate" nature of the modern cheerleader. They weren't just dancers. They were brand ambassadors. They were traveling to visit troops on USO tours, often in high-risk areas. People forget that. These women are some of the hardest-working athletes in the NFL, even if they aren't the ones taking the snaps on third down.
The Impact of Social Media
2017 was also the year social media really started to dictate the narrative.
The girls were becoming influencers in their own right. Instagram was blowing up. This created a new layer of scrutiny from the "DCC superfans" who dissected every high kick and every hair flip on message boards. If a girl missed a beat during the pre-game "Thunderstruck" performance, the internet knew about it within minutes.
The Roster: Standouts of the 2017 Season
Let’s talk names.
KaShara Garrett was the point of the triangle—the highest honor for a DCC. Her leadership in 2017 was legendary. Then you had ladies like Maddie Massingill, whose technical skills were so sharp she basically became a benchmark for future seasons.
- Lacey Munoz: A veteran who brought a level of sophistication and "pro" feel to every routine.
- Gina Ligi: A rookie in 2017 who would go on to become one of the most powerful dancers the organization had ever seen.
- Tess Guidry: Pure elegance. She had a style that felt very "old school DCC" but with a modern edge.
These women weren't just fill-ins. They were the stars of the show. Many fans argued that they were more popular than the actual football players that year. And honestly? They might have been right.
The Controversy: Pay and Working Conditions
It’s impossible to talk about the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders 2017 season without mentioning the elephant in the room: the pay gap.
📖 Related: Tottenham vs FC Barcelona: Why This Matchup Still Matters in 2026
Around this time, the national conversation about cheerleader compensation was getting loud. Lawsuits were popping up across the NFL. While the DCC organization is known for being "the best of the best," the actual hourly wage for these women was often criticized as being incredibly low compared to the revenue they generated through calendars, appearances, and ticket sales.
The 2017 squad had to maintain a professional "game face" while this debate swirled around them. They were expected to be perfect, even if the financial reward didn't always match the physical and mental toll of the job. It’s a nuance that many casual viewers miss. They see the glitter; they don't see the ice packs and the tiny paychecks.
Training Camp Rigor
The training camp for the 2017 season was a masterclass in psychological endurance.
Imagine dancing for five hours after a full day at your "real" job. Then, you get home, and you have to memorize 50 different routines. If you mess up one step, you're out. That was the reality for the 2017 hopefuls. The "DCC style" is very specific—heavy on the power, the "pop," and the hair whip. If you’re a classically trained ballerina, you have to unlearn years of technique just to fit the mold.
The "Thunderstruck" Legacy
If you’ve ever been to a Cowboys game, you know the feeling when the opening notes of AC/DC’s "Thunderstruck" hit. The 2017 squad performed that routine with a level of precision that felt almost military.
That jump split? It’s not just a move. It’s a rite of passage.
In 2017, the pressure to execute that perfectly was immense. Every time they hit the turf, they were carrying the weight of 50 years of tradition. One bad jump split can end a career. It’s that serious.
Analyzing the Statistics and Physical Demands
Let's look at the numbers, even though the DCC doesn't always publicize the raw data.
👉 See also: Buddy Hield Sacramento Kings: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
A cheerleader in 2017 would easily cover several miles of movement during a single game day. That’s between the pre-game performances, the quarter breaks, and the sideline routines. They are doing this in heavy boots with zero arch support.
Physically, the 2017 squad was lean, but they were muscular. The trend was moving away from "skinny" and toward "athletic." You could see it in the way the choreography changed—more ground-to-air transitions, more explosive movements.
The Wrap-Up on 2017
Looking back, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders 2017 season served as a bridge between the old-school pageantry of the 90s and the high-tech, influencer-driven world we live in now. It was a year of transition.
They faced more scrutiny than ever before. They handled it.
The 2017 team proved that the DCC isn't just a "spirit squad." They are a powerhouse of entertainment. They are athletes who happen to wear sequins. And if you think it’s easy, try doing a jump split on turf in cowboy boots while 80,000 people watch.
Actionable Insights for Aspiring Dancers
If you’re looking to follow in the footsteps of the 2017 squad, here is what you actually need to do. Don't just "practice." Train with intent.
- Master the "Power Pro" Style: DCC isn't jazz or hip-hop; it’s a hybrid. Focus on sharp, locked arms and explosive kicks.
- Build Cardiovascular Endurance: You need to be able to dance full-out for 90 seconds and look like you aren't breathing hard.
- Study the Brand: The 2017 veterans knew the history of the team. They knew who Tex Schramm was. They knew the "Sweethearts of the Sideline" legacy. You should too.
- Focus on Showmanship: Your face is just as important as your feet. Practice performing in front of a mirror until your "performance smile" feels natural, not forced.
- Get Professional Headshots: The 2017 auditions showed that image matters. Not just "beauty," but professional presence. Look the part before you even step into the room.
The legacy of the 2017 team lives on in the current squad. Many of the leaders today were rookies or second-year vets back then. They learned from the best, and they survived one of the most competitive years in the history of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. It was a masterclass in resilience.