Dirk Nowitzki among celebrities offering needed help [HD]

Cheri Garcia — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:09:25 +0000

Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has teamed up for the first annual Celebrity Purple Ping Pong event at Southern Methodist University in Dallas raising awareness and funding to find a cure pancreatic cancer.

“You find out a lot of people are connected with this cause because they lost a loved one to this disease,” said Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle.

And many did connect today including most of Carlisle’s basketball team.

“I like ping and it’s a good day off to come out here and have fun,” said Dallas Mavericks Guard J.J. Barea.

“If I can help it’s no problem and I really like to play ping pong,” said Dallas Mavericks Guard Rodrique Beaubois. “I’m really happy to be here.”

“It’s great to give back when people are struggling,” said Dallas Mavericks Guard DeShawn Stevenson.

Dallas Maverick Dirk Nowitzki came out too. While he struggles to get the ping pong ball over the net he knows its nothing compared to what victims of pancreatic cancer go through.

“It’s always a tragedy for families but if you stay together, stay strong and keep believing you can beat anything,” said Dallas Mavericks Forward Dirk Nowitzki.

Carlisle not only managed to get most of his team to support the cause he also reached out to other celebrities.

“It’s such a great cause and its local,” said 2008 Olympic individual all-around gold medalist Nastia Liukin. “I’m a huge fan of the Mavs and I always have been.”

Olympic gymnast Carly Patterson also said yes but she asked for some help with Carlisle in return.

“Rick was helping me with my back serve and front serve or whatever you call it,” said 2004 Olympic gold medalist Carly Patterson. “He was helping me get a little warmed up.”

This charity is near and dear to Rick Carlisle’s heart because his friend and mentor Charles Jerome “Chuck” Daly also known as one of the greatest NBA coaches passed away from pancreatic cancer.

“When he found out he had it it was about two and a half months and he was gone,” said Carlisle.

“Chuck is missed all the time,” said former Dallas Maverick Derek Harper. “I think it’s a great gesture for Rick to do something like this honoring a guy like Chuck Daly.”

According to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network this disease is one of the least funded and publicized.

“Our ultimate goal is to really find a cure obviously for pancreatic cancer, find an effective treatment for pancreatic cancer and just make sure that people are aware that there are resources available for them when they receive a diagnosis,” said Media Coordinator Pamela Bethel-Leduff.

“Hopefully we’ll do not only this event but many, many more to come,” said Dallas Mavericks Forward Eduardo Najera.

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Dancing for FC Dallas [HD]

Norrelle Dickson — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:07:37 +0000

“Today is the FC Dallas Dancers dance team auditions,” said Director of FC Dallas Dancers Tamara Jenkins. “We are looking for fantastic girls that have energy, charisma and can dance.”

At the Power House of Dance in Frisco dance team hopefuls are high kicking their way into auditions in hopes of dancing for one of the best soccer teams in the country. Highly decorated choreographer Roger Lee knows how stressful and nerve racking auditions can be.

“I am originally from Dallas but I have resided in Los Angeles for the passed 7 years,” said choreographer Roger Lee. “I have been on tour with Justin Timberlake. I have choreographed for Janet Jackson for her All For You tour and her HBO special which was nominated for an Emmy. I worked with PINK and Gwen Stefani. If you really want to perform and entertain don’t let your nerves get the best of you.”

Before the dancers could strut their stuff a lot of preparation is being put into getting ready for this audition.

“Attending as many prep classes as they offer,” said dancer Kristen Haulderbaum. “We do a lot of eating healthy and conditioning and we do have to worry about our hair and makeup.”

As the dancers finished their final preparations to impress the judges tension began to build. It was showtime!

“I am looking for the best and the brightest today,” said Jenkins.

The dancers brought energy and talent to the auditions and after a grueling day it was time to find out who made the team.

“Oh my gosh,” said dancer Crystal Flores. “They’re going to post the winners tomorrow on the FC Dallas website. That just kind of nerve racking so I’m not going to be able to sleep tonight.”

“So we’ll all be like at work checking the website,” said Holderbaum.

And Holderbaum did make the team. It’s an achievement this dancer’s proud of and thankful for. She says without the support of her family none of this is possible.

“When I found out it was more a big wave of excitement not just for me but for my whole family because they’ve been rooting for me for a long time to,” said Holderbaum. “I don’t know how much money they’ve spent on dance practices since the age of five.”

Now that the dance team is finalized Jenkins and her squad can focus on making the FC Dallas Dancers season better then ever.

“The fans are great and I love soccer,” said dancer Rebekah Leonard. “It’s just a great atmosphere. We’re going to have a very successful year.”

These FC Dallas Dancers will showcase their talent all season long at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco.

DFW Reporting » heroes

Dirk Nowitzki among celebrities offering needed help [HD]

Dancing for FC Dallas [HD]