80-84 Era
The 80’s ERA – The 1980’s Houston Oilers Derrick Dolls
1984 Director – Linda Shank
1984 Choreographer – Carole Walker
1984 Head Coach – Hugh Campbell; Quarterback – Warren Moon (rookie year)
As the 80’s rolled in, the Houston Oilers were at the height of their NFL standings, but only to play in non-championship seasons year after year and dealing with the football strike in 1984. It was not until 1987, another year of a football strike, that the Oilers made their comeback after a seven year losing streak and consistently made it to the play offs again. The Derrick Dolls however continued to dazzle the fans and were permanent fixtures on the sidelines of the Astrodome. Their famous two-piece uniform created by Kay King with red and blue panels tied neatly at the bust, with the long white fringe on the sleeves as well as fringe on the bottoms and the knee high white patent leather boots made the cheerleaders unique and easily recognized. In 1985 however, that famous uniform changed to a one piece. It styled a red and blue V at the mid drift, tighter sleeves but yet the long white fringe still attached.
Year after year, hundreds of women applied and auditioned for an elite spot on the Derrick Doll squad of 40. Applicants were given a song title, music by Olivia Newton John and Michael Jackson to name a few, to make up their own routines. Four women at a time would come before the judges who were the director Linda Shank, choreographer Carol Walker, local radio disc jockeys, news media and sports casters and even celebrities such as the famous Nashville country artist Tanya Tucker, to perform their dance. All the applicants were also present to watch each other perform and to cheer each other on. After long hours of waiting, we all gather to hear for our numbers to be called for the final selection of the squad.
Soon after the auditions, we were measured for uniforms and began practice at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church gym twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Monsignor Thomas Donovan came several times to watch us dance and always blessed us when he spoke. I remember one of his comments was that he quoted a statement by Bud Adams that he wanted the Derrick Dolls to be sexier than the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Monsignor Donovan was one of our biggest fans!
The Derrick Dolls were hired to perform at all home games in the Astrodome with a compensation of $15 per game plus two tickets located on the ground level near the sidelines in metal folding chairs. Appearances were mandatory when called upon, non-paid or paid which was normally $25/hour. The Derrick Dolls worked with companies such as Toyota, Hertz, Off Shore Technology Conferences,
Southwest Airlines, Continental Airlines, area banks, festivals, golf tournaments to name a few. We traveled all over Texas to cities like Wichita Falls to all the way in the southern city of McAllen. Mexico City was also a regular site for the cheerleaders to perform. Some highlights included appearances at the airport welcoming President Bush to Houston and cameos in the movie Urban Cowboy. Continental Airlines hired the Derrick Dolls to perform in London for their inauguration for flights between thee US and England. The first ever USO tour troupe was selected by Carol Walker, our choreographer which consisted of ten cheerleaders who traveled to Alaska and Germany to entertain our troops.
As the Derrick Dolls prepare for game day, we usually arrived four hours before kick-off at the Astrodome. We all huddled into a tiny restroom to do hair, makeup and get dressed but later graduated to a real locker room where we could spread out and all of us were able to plug in our hot rollers to get our hair styled to the famous 80’s “BIG HAIR!” Our makeup sponsors were Germaine Montaigne and Merle Norman (blue eye shadow) and hair was by Visible Changes. Our snack was provided by the stadium and delivered to the locker room....the infamous “hotdog” and a soda pop. After every game, the cheerleaders along with the football players and coaches were invited to dine at Angelo’s Seafood Restaurant where post-game sports casters interviewed the players. Here, we had the opportunity to take pictures with the players and eat their amazing and favorite “Oysters Rockefeller!”
Sadly, the owner of the Houston Oilers toyed with the idea of leaving Houston unless the Astrodome was renovated. The request was granted but later in the 90’s left Houston anyway for a new home in Tennessee. Some of the greatest Oiler players were Earl Campbell, Bruce Matthews, Warren Moon, Mike Munchak, Ray Childress, Elvin Bethea, Robert Brazille and Dan Pastorini. The 80’s presented much turmoil for the team as well as the Derrick Dolls as they disbanded in 1986 but thankfully later returned in the early 90’s.
People often ask us ,“Did we feel like a celebrity?” Yes we did! “Did we enjoy our appearances?” Yes we did! “Did we make lasting friendships?” Yes we did!
“Was all the practices worth it?” ABSOLUTELY!
Forever grateful for those years as Derrick Doll, LUV YA BLUE!
- Pamela Kersten Carlson
