A fresh cheerleading squad has taken over the entertainment duties on the sidelines of Alouettes games this season. Instead of the traditional dance team, the CFL franchise has opted for the Université de Montréal’s stunt cheer team, marking a change from their longstanding in-house program.
While the skills of the Carabins cheer team are not in doubt, some are pondering whether this shift respects the long history of the club’s cheer teams that have evolved over the years. From the baton-twirling Majorettes in the 1950s to the pom-pom shaking of the 60s and 70s, followed by the sporty knee-high socks and power ballads of the 80s, and progressing through the calendar girls era of the mid-90s and 2000s, the Alouettes cheerleaders have always mirrored the societal trends of Montreal.
Is this recent change signaling the end of a cherished tradition, or is it simply another chapter in the ongoing evolution of the team’s sideline entertainment? The legacy of the Alouettes cheerleading program was recently discussed on the “This is Montreal” podcast episode.
Moreover, the podcast delved into the history and impact of the Alouettes cheerleading program over the years. To get a glimpse of the women who have influenced the program, take a look at the photos of Alouettes cheerleaders, past and present.