Beauteous and Pulchritudinous

She walks in beauty, like the night, Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all
that's best of dark and bright, Meet in her aspect and her eyes...”-- Lord Byron

  Highlights of the 2003 Raiderette Finals.

By Larry Garcia -Raiderdrive

2003 Raiderette Tryouts Photo Gallery
Story & Photo Gallery
A special thanks to Tony Mercado, Doug Farrell and a very, very special thanks to Mary Barnes and Al LoCasale of the Oakland Raiders.

The new 2003 Raiderettes, "Football's Fabulous Females," are stunning! At the final competition last evening at the Oakland Airport Hilton, their hair shined and flowed with assorted colors, from blonde to brunette and vibrant shades of red.  The women exuded beauty as they waltzed gracefully about.  They were dressed to kill, and their famous Raiderette smiles lit the room. The flashing cameras were plentiful. Their gleaming eyes sparkled as the sea reflects the stars on a clear night.

The goddesses "Beauteous" and "Pulchritudinous" were both on site… what a night!  Where can this be?  Mt. Olympus?  Well, if not, is there such a place here on earth where goddesses “walk in beauty like the night, of cloudless climes and starry skies”?  Indeed there is.  It's a geographical icon--a cornerstone off the Pacific West Coast, called Alameda, California. 

 And yes, these Raiderette goddesses do exist, and last night, they flourished.  They're in the books of history as defined in the scriptures of the American Heritage II.  “Beauteous and Pulchritudinous: Having qualities that delight the eye: attractive, beautiful, good-looking, gorgeous, lovely, pretty, ravishing, stunning”...and, if we might add, talent and intelligence are necessary characteristics that these goddesses posses.

What else does it take to enter the pearly gates of Raiderette heaven?  According to veteran Raiderette Jeanette Wiley (left), one of the most important steps is to take dance classes, even if they don’t improve your dancing, they “will help you with your memory skills as far as learning your routine.”  When it is a dancer’s time to come forward in front of the judges and perform, there is not always a lot of time to think about the routine.  “So, I would say dance lessons and just smile,” Jeanette concludes.  “Of course, there’s a little more to it, like proper grammar [for the interviews] and the way you carry yourself.  But, dancing would help those interested in being a Raiderette.”

Sunday night, May 4, 2003, the Raiderette tryouts at the Hilton resembled an Oscar Awards night in Beverly Hills, where goddesses of the Silver Screen are rewarded for their dazzling performances and where great directors are honored for their achievements.  Not only did some 48 women, who must have followed Wiley’s advice, earn spots on the 2003 squad, but Mary Barnes and Al LoCasale were once again triumphant in directing yet another sensation, just as in years past.  Both Barnes and LoCasale teamed up, side by side, as the great Tim Brown and Jerry Rice do, mixing chemistry and a dose of Silver & Black attitude to have a winning season and to demonstrate a commitment to excellence, making this year’s team of Raiderettes just divine.

Meet the new 2003 Raiderettes!  Take a heavenly tour and visit our Photo Gallery of the 2003 Raiderette finals! You will see why the Raiderettes are called “Football’s Fabulous Females.” 

  Next month, when our July issue of Raiderdrive’s Bay Area Sports digest is released, we will bring you the full story of these stunning beauties, along with more colorful photos, as well as other sports features and up-close and personal interviews.

2003 Raiderette Tryouts Photo Gallery