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Laura Vikmanis
Born
Laura Lynette Vikmanis

(1968-09-10) September 10, 1968 (age 56)
Springboro, Ohio
Alma materCalifornia State University, Long Beach
Occupation(s)NFL Cheerleader, dietician, fitness trainer, and author
Years active2009–2014
Height5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Parent(s)Linda Horn (mother)
Juris Vikmanis (father)

Laura Lynette Vikmanis (previously Robb; born September 10, 1968) is an American dietitian, personal trainer, and dancer who was a professional cheerleader for the Cincinnati Ben–Gals, the cheerleading squad of the Cincinnati Bengals. She was the oldest cheerleader in National Football League history, at 40 years of age when she joined in 2009.[1] She is also a co-author of the book It's Not About the Pom-Poms.[2]

Biography

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Vikmanis is from Springboro, Ohio. As a child, Vikmanis danced for Dance Theater Dayton and attended John F. Kennedy Junior High School, where she was a member of the cheerleading squad. She attended Fairmont High School and was a member of the Fairmont Firebird Drill Team. She graduated from Fairmont High School in 1986.[3] After high school, Vikmanis attended California State University, Long Beach where she received a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Food Administration. She is a certified dietitian and personal trainer. Although raised Presbyterian, she married a Roman Catholic, in a Catholic ceremony.[4] They later had two daughters, who are both competitive cheerleaders. After filing for divorce, Vikmanis decided to pursue a career in professional cheerleading.[5]

In 2018 Vikmanis spoke out against gender-based discrimination in the NFL.[6]

Career

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Vikmanis works as a registered dietitian nutritionist for Kettering Health's Bariatric Surgery program. She works with pre and post bariatric surgery nutrition education, weight loss, weight management and cardiovascular nutrition. She has taught group fitness classes as well as private personal training sessions.[7] Vikmanis made the squad in 2009. At the age of 39 she tried out for the Ben–Gals and made it to the finals cuts, but was not put on the team. She tried out again the following season and made the team.[8][9] Since making the Ben–Gals, Vikmanis received huge publicity and has appeared on various television networks and talk shows. In March 2012, her book, co-written by Vikmanis and Amy Sohn, titled It's Not About the Pom-Poms was released.[10] In 2012, Vikmanis would have been dethroned from the honor of being the oldest cheerleader in the league by Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader-hopeful Sharon Simmons, at 55, but Simmons was unable to make the squad.[11][12] Vikmanis went on to be a member of the Ben–Gals squad for a total of six years.[13]

Film

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In 2011, New Line Cinema picked up the rights to make a film on Vikmanis' life story, though no film has been released as of 2021.[5][14]

References

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  1. ^ Bishop, Lauren (March 15, 2012). "A story of cheers – and tears". News.cincinnati.com. Archived from the original on March 17, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  2. ^ "BARNES & NOBLE | It's Not About the Pom-Poms: How a 40-Year-Old Mom Became the NFL's Oldest Cheerleader-and Found Hope, Joy, and Inspiration Along the Way by Laura Vikmanis, R". Barnesandnoble.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  3. ^ "Springboro mom a Ben-Gal, among other things". Daytondailynews.com. November 30, 2009. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  4. ^ It's Not About the Pom-Poms: How a 40-Year-Old Mom Became the NFL's Oldest ... – Laura Vikmanis, Amy Sohn – Google Books
  5. ^ a b "Spirited Success Story: Oldest NFL Cheerleader Gets Movie Deal – TIME.com". Time. April 2, 2011. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  6. ^ "Laura Vikmanis, former Ben-Gal, addresses discrimination". Archived from the original on June 24, 2019. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  7. ^ "The Today Show! | Skinny | Skinny Mom | How to get skinny fast | Get Skinny | Skinny tips by modern fit and Skinny moms". Skinny Mom. July 26, 2010. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  8. ^ "Second Act: Laura Vikmanis – Yahoo! News". News.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  9. ^ "You've Got Laura Vikmanis video from Answers.com Videos". Video.answers.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  10. ^ "Laura Vikmanis: "Its Not About the Pom-Poms" | Skinny | Skinny Mom | How to get skinny fast | Get Skinny | Skinny tips by modern fit and Skinny moms". Skinny Mom. March 20, 2012. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  11. ^ Chase, Chris (May 7, 2012). "Grandmother auditions to be Dallas Cowboys cheerleader | Shutdown Corner – Yahoo! Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  12. ^ "WHAM Morning News Daily Recap – ROCHESTER'S NEWS LEADER NEWSRADIO 1180 WHAM". Wham1180.com. July 4, 2012. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  13. ^ "Opinion | Little to Cheer About". The New York Times. April 13, 2018. Archived from the original on July 31, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  14. ^ "Life Story Of NFL's Oldest Cheerleader Laura Vikmanis To Hit The Big Screen". Radar Online. March 25, 2011. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
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