SA WarriorMAIDENS

CheerleadersfortheSAWarriorsFootballTeam

3. When did you start your Business? The Maidens have been around since 2006 where I had the opportunity to be a dancer under the directorship of the original director Mrs. Cynthia Trinidad.

Merlindatapia

1. Introduce yourself and tell us a little about “You”. My name is Merlinda Tapia and I am the director of the San Antonio Warrior Maidens Dancers. I was a member of the San Antonio Warriors Cheerleaders 2007, 2008 and 2010 and a captain one season. Then I was the assistant director of the Warrior Maidens in 2016. The ladies call me Coach “M”. I am also a realtor, and mother to a wonderful son.

2. Tell us about The San Antonio Warriors. The San Antonio Warriors Minor Professional Football Organization was founded by Coach Glen White in 2004. The Warriors have been providing a minor league football program in San Antonio that allows football players that miss being on a team keep playing and help some that dream of going on to the professional sports level some experience.

The Warriors tried some cheer squads in the beginning but the coach/owner of the Warriors was looking for a more pro football style cheerleader squad.

From 2007-2015 they were the San Antonio Warrior Cheerleaders then in 2016 we changed the name to the San Antonio Warrior Maiden Dancers. As the 2016 season ended one of our 2016 Warrior Maidens make it on the NFL Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders and Ms. Cynthia retired and as her former assistant director I decided to continue the legacy and I have been the director of the Warrior Maidens ever since.

4. Why did you start your Business? I rejoined the Warriors organization as director in 2017 because I had enjoyed being a part of the organization so much as a dancer so I thought, why not carry on and uphold the traditions that were already created?

5. What is the main message or purpose of your Business?

What are the many things the Warrior Maidens do?

The Warrior Maidens are not just performers but love to give back to the community in many ways, whether it’s a part of a charity drive or community event They have held dance camps and cheered on many marathon runners and keep the crowds entertained.

program provides dancers ages 18 and up a squad to belong to, a venue to perform in and a team to cheer for. There is a yearly audition and prep class fee but there is no membership or studio fee to be a Warrior Maiden Dancer and we have sponsors that provide a studio to practice in and other benefits and the Warriors provide a variety of different uniforms and a warm-up for the season. Maidens do get to purchase their poms and keep as their own. For this wonderful dance program the Warriors in return just ask for dedication and commitment to finish out the Warrior season as a San Antonio Warrior Maiden Dancer.

the sisterhood, friendships, opportunity to perform, being active in the community and belonging to an elite group.

6. Who or what inspired you to be the coach of the Warrior Maidens? The Inspiration to step into the position I am in now I would say came from my past experience with my coach. I learned firsthand what it takes to lead a team under her direction. The Passion from the teams I have worked with is what continues to keep me striving for the best for the team.

The Warrior Maiden dance

The Warrior Maidens program also allows dancers to experience what it might be like if they were on a professional sports cheer/dance squad. Some of the Warrior Cheerleaders and Maidens in the past have gained invaluable experience that helped them go on to the pro level. The Warrior Maidens are a minor league dance squad which is more inclusive and diverse and do not have all the strict requirements many pro sports dance squads demand. Not all dancers are looking to go pro and many members just enjoy

7. Do you have a Team or Staff? All staff of the Warrior Organization is volunteer, the Warriors are a non-profit 501c3. The Warrior Maiden staff includes me and this season also includes a former Warrior Maiden. She is a former Maiden from my first two seasons directing who came on board, she was excited to be a part of the team again not as a cheerleader but as a team friend for the girls to reach out to and help with any task.

8. How do the Warrior Maidens give back to the community and help out the Warriors organization? The San Antonio Warriors and the Warrior Maidens help the community by giving back to many causes and charity’s and provide a positive outlet and another live football game option for San Antonio football fans to attend that is affordable and that is family and military friendly. The SA Warrior Maidens Dancers help the Warriors by being their ambassadors, making appearances and performances promoting the Warrior organization in the community, which validates the Warrior organization as a solid minor-professional football team. They also provide positive role models and entertainment on the sidelines and halftime at the games.

9. How can someone get in contact with you for more information?

Email: marketing@sawarriorsfootball .com

Website: www.sawarriors.com

Social Media Links: San Antonio Warriors | San Antonio TX | Facebook

Instagram: @sa warriorsfootball

Any Special Offers? Home Game Tickets can be purchased at the gate on game day. Cash and credit card accepted.

General admission $10 Students $8 Seniors 55+ $7 (with ID) Active Military Free (with ID) Children 5 & under free. Parking is free! And affordable game day concessions are available.

The Warriors have a long history of titles and awards and have been in several different minor-professional football leagues. The San Antonio Warriors have been playing and winning consistently since 2004 and with their Coach Glen White hold the record for most wins in Texas minor-professional football history. They won their league Championships for 2004, 2009 and 2011. In 2011 they were awarded a citation by then Mayor Julian Castor in San Antonio Council Chambers for bringing home the Championship Trophy to San Antonio.

The Warrior Maidens attended the “Pro Action Dance” procheer summer dance camp last year in Las Vegas and hope to attend again this year.

The Warriors are always looking for Corporate and small businesses as a title, official or partner sponsor

Also need special guests for opening ceremonies like National Anthem singers/performers, color guards, coin toss presenters ( like pageant title holders, dignitaries and celebrities), second half halftime performers, and also looking for a Warrior mascot game sideline performer, 18 years and over.

The Warrior Maidens Thank Rita Hernandez from Inspiration for Life for your support and all our sponsors: San Antonio Roses

Entertainment, Esta Noche

Dance Studio, Jaelynn Rae

Cosmetic Studio, Amore Cycling Studio, DMA Hair Salon and Urth juice bar.

The 2023 squad photo was made possible by Esta Noche Studios, SA Roses

Entertainment, Jaelynn Rae

Cosmetic Studio and DMA Hair Salon.

Live On Air With Rita Show would like to thank everyone for being a part of my journey since 2005 through community outreach and since 2009 through my media journey. I would also like to thank all of my Sponsors, Sponsored locations, Guests, Fans, Live Studio Audience, and listeners from San Antonio and Around the World. Here are some photos for you to enjoy! You can tune in to my Show Monday-Friday at 10am. You can listen at www.inspiration4life.org/listenlive or watch my Show at www.facebook.com/LiveOnAirWithRita