The First Ladies of Football

From the "Redskinettes" to the "First Ladies of Football" the women of this program are the longest running cheerleading team in the NFL. Founded in 1962, and originally named the "Redskinettes," this team has brought worldwide recognition to the Washington DC area, the Redskins football team, and the NFL.

Partnered with the largest and most prominent Alumni Association among cheerleading teams—in 2008 over 1,000 strong—the women who have cheered and continued to support the Redskins have also helped raise millions since the team’s inception and support more charities and community events every year.

In the most powerful city in the world, the most popular professional sports team is only a part of Fedex Field. The Washington Redskins Cheerleaders are growing like a shot across the country and around the world. They are lighting up the airwaves and the media with new routines, uniforms, attitudes and have raised the bar of excellence for every other NFL cheerleading squad.

Adorned in burgundy and gold, flanking the field on every side and executing routines that would make even the fastest football player gasp for air, these ladies strive for one thing -- to make a difference.

The Legacy

The Washington Redskins Cheerleaders are the oldest active cheerleading organization in the NFL. On September 30, 1962, 30 talented and beautiful women made their debut as the Redskinettes. As they marched down the field in their Native American costumes to join the band, they stepped into history and the tradition began. In their 45-year history, these ladies have become the most talented, innovative and personable in the NFL.

In the Early 80’s the Redskins Cheerleaders toured China to promote American-made products; toured Turkey, Italy, Sicily, Spain and France as part of the USO; filmed TV commercials for Sassoon and Barbara Ellen; were featured on the David Letterman’s top ten list and won the ESPN celebrity pool tournament. They have been featured in National magazines such as Newsweek, FHM, Ebony, Black Hair Magazine, Salon One, Cosmopolitan, Maxim and Sports Illustrated; performed with Country Grammy award winner Gretchen Wilson, Latin sensation Ricky Martin, Larry King, Jerry Lee Lewis, James Brown, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, the Pointer Sisters and Nancy Reagan; and filmed two E! Channel specials, are the stars of Comcast SportsNet show “Beauties on the Beach”, Are the Champions from the battle of the NFL Cheerleaders at the 2007 Super Bowl and were featured on the NFL Networks Cheerleader Challenge. Men’s Journal called the 2007 squad the Best in the NFL and Michael Strahan wrote in his book that the Redskins Cheerleaders are the Hottest in the NFL.

With their international appeal and stardom on the rise, the First Ladies of Football have transformed into the NFL cheerleaders of the millennium by breaking new ground with their sleek new style and amazing talents. From the simple, yet very visible redesign of the uniform, to the rejuvenated commitment to charity and community, these ladies have established themselves as the premier squad in the NFL.

The Leadership

DONALD WELLS
Director of Entertainment & Cheerleading

In 1997, the vision of the newly named director, Donald Wells, transformed the Redskins Cheerleaders into the NFL cheerleaders of the future. They became confident, self-sufficient, successful and positive role models for the community -- something that other teams now emulate. These cheerleaders are known as forward thinking, pushing the envelope in their routines, and embodying the ideals of being First Ladies of Football.

Having lived in the Metro area his entire life, Donald studied dance at the University of Maryland, College Park and was a dancer in the 1996 Summer Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies in Atlanta. Donald starting his coaching and choreography career with the Crossland High School Dance Team in 1990 and won several local and regional championships during his tenure.

In 1993, he started as choreographer of the NBA’s Washington Bullets (now called the Wizards) and in 1996 took over the Directorship. For several years Donald assisted Stephanie Jojokian with the University of Maryland Dance Team, going to Nationals with them each year.

Under Donald’s leadership the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders started the Junior Redskins Cheerleaders program, annual swimsuit calendar, the Variety Show, in 1998 he created the tag name “First Ladies of Football”, in 2000 officially changed the squads name to the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders in order to create more marketing possibilities and the list continues to grow.

Entering his 12th season with the Redskins, he has traveled on 25 DOD Tours that has taken him to over 40 countries. With 20 years of experience Donald can still be seen around the country teaching and lecturing to squads of all levels and is considered a true innovator in the Sports Entertainment Industry.

STEPHANIE JOJOKIAN
Director & Choreographer

In 2004 Stephanie was hired as the first full-time Choreographer in Redskins Cheerleader history and only the 2nd in the entire NFL.  She has choreographed and performed for Master P’s 504 Boys “Whodee” Video, Crystal Waters “Just Say Hey” Video and danced with Darrin Henson in his “Darrin’s Dance Grooves 2” Video.

Stephanie has performed at the Kennedy Center and in New York City as a member of the modern company, Tony Powell Music & Movement, as well as at Dance Place as a member of Carla & Company. She has traveled to more than 30 Countries on 10 AFE Tours. Stephanie is now honored to be the choreographer for the Redskins cheerleaders and National Champions, Redskins Jr. All Stars (competitive team).

Before that she was the director/choreographer for eight seasons with the NBA’s Washington Wizards NBA Dancers, where she danced for two seasons prior to taking over the leadership. She studied dance at UNC-Greensboro and Alvin Ailey in New York City.

Stephanie is the co-founder of Capitol Movement (www.capitolmovement.org) the areas largest dance company and non-profit. She works with hundreds of local dancers each year to stage an annual benefit concert.

She currently teaches master classes locally and abroad in Japan and Slovenia. She currently teaches master classes locally and abroad in Japan and Slovenia. Stephanie lives in the DC area and takes dance classes regularly in New York City to help keep the Redskins Cheerleaders at the top of the NFL!

MELANIE COBURN
Director of Marketing

In 2001, Melanie Coburn (Treanor) took over the task to make the Cheerleaders grow as a business and was brought on to be the squads first ever Marketing and Events Coordinator for the Cheerleaders.

After being a cheerleader at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, MD, Melanie spent a year (under the Direction of Stephanie and Donald!) on the Nationally ranked University of Maryland Dance Team. She spent four seasons as a Redskins Cheerleader and was one of the 12 members to first go on tour in 1999 with Armed Forces Entertainment. Since that time, she has been on 10 tours to more than 30 countries with A.F.E. and has also booked events all over the world. Some of the exciting trips have included Fleet Week in New York City, AAFES Appreciation Week in Guantanamo Bay and ESPN’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL!

In 2000, Melanie received her BS in Marketing from the University of Maryland. Since taking over the position Melanie has helped elevate the squad to the next level. Because of her tireless effort the Cheerleaders can now be seen at well over 300 events all over the US and the World each year. Not to mention she has enabled the Cheerleaders to receive more perks through the dozens of corporate sponsorships she has negotiated.

In 2008, Melanie’s title was changed to Director of Marketing and the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders are more visible than ever and have more corporate branding than any other squad in history. In August 2008, Melanie married her husband Derek in a beautiful ceremony in Aruba. I took place at the Radisson Resort, the same resort the 2008 Calendar had taken place.