Even New York Giants fans will be excited about the special presence of several members of the Dallas Cowboys’ organization at the local Albany Conquest’s Arenafootball2 league home opener on April 16.
The Conquest front office announced on February 19 that the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders will make their first-ever appearance in the Capital District Region when they perform at the team’s first home game against a tough Manchester squad.
“The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are loved and adored by many and have become a staple in American society,” said Albany Conquest General Manager Robert Zeig. “We are thrilled to give Capital Region residents the opportunity to see the marvel that is the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.”
The Dallas Cowboys Show Group, which is compiled of the 12 elite cheerleaders on the squad, will make two performances, one at 7:30 prior to the game’s start and one later on during halftime.
The festivities will kick-off at 5:00 on South Pearl Street with a block party leading up to the game. The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders will also be having an autograph and photograph session during the second half of the game for Conquest fans.
“It is exciting to have the opportunity to entertain and meet our fans all around America,” said Laura Beke of Spring, Texas, who has been a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader for three years. “We have been in New York City to perform before and had wished we could have stayed and visited more of the state of New York. We get to travel everywhere and are looking forward to making our first trip to the Northeast this year.”
The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders travel worldwide performing at numerous sporting events, trade shows, telethons, and festivals.
Albany’s home opener will also bear witness to another Conquest first as new head coach Steve Matthews will make his first appearance in front of the home fans.
Matthews will have to live up to high expectations since the Conquest has been Northeast Division Champions in the last two seasons.
Matthews has not taken long to put his mark on this year’s conquest squad, either. The new Conquest coach recently acquired 13 players for the team’s roster including Albany’s back up quarterback from last season, Gus Ornstein.
This will be Ornstein’s second season with the Conquest. He was the back up quarterback last season to Ryan Venna, who is now with Arena Football League’s Columbus Destroyers. Venna was second in last year’s Offensive Player of the Year voting.
“I am pleased with the talent level of the players we will bring to training camp,” Matthews said. “Gus is a man who knows our returning players well and has played at some big time college programs such as Michigan State. I am sure he will compete well for the job.”
The Conquest also added several other experienced arena football players including offensive and defensive linemen David Mahoney and Abdallah Wiggins and wide reciever/linebacker McKinely Bowie and fullback/linebacker Ron Simone
The home opener for the Conquest will be at Pepsi Arena in downtown Albany. For more information or to purchase tickets to any of the upcoming Albany Conquest home games one can call (518) 487-2222 or visit the Conquest’s website: http://www.albanyconquest.com.
