By Mark Ambrogi
Barring players being added late because of injuries, the Indianapolis Colts’ only Pro Bowl representative will be a 2006 Carmel High School graduate.
Erin, a Colts cheerleader, was selected to represent the squad in the game on Jan. 31 in Honolulu (7 p.m., ESPN). The Colts do not permit cheerleaders to share their last name out of safety concerns.
Erin said Pro Bowl representative is voted on by Colts cheerleaders, cheerleading coaches and other organization members.
“Your teammates vote, so it’s kind of a big honor that they believe you can represent the organization,” said Erin, who left for Hawaii on Jan. 25.
Erin, who married in July and lives in the Lawrence area, has been a Colts cheerleader for six seasons and was the captain of the squad this past season.
“It’s a lot of time, but it’s so much fun,” Erin said. “I love dancing. I love the Colts. Every year there have been awesome experiences from military tours to visiting Riley Children’s Hospital. It’s definitely worth the time and effort that you have to put into it.”
Singing Christmas carols at Riley Hospital is her favorite activity each year.
“It’s great to put a smile on kid’s faces, most of them have to be there for Christmas,” Erin said.
Erin, one of the main instructors at Core Pilates and Fitness in Carmel, graduated from Indiana University with a degree in biology. Her father is a doctor and she was considering medical school but wasn’t completely sold on it.
“The week I graduated from IU I became a cheerleader, and the owner (Sean Bartram) of Core Pilates is our trainer, and he needed someone to teach a dance-based fitness class,” Erin said. “I was looking for lab-based jobs at places like Lilly. But I loved it so much I kept doing it.”
Erin hasn’t fully decided if she will audition again for another season with the Colts.
“If it don’t, this will be a good way to finish with big trip to the Pro Bowl,” Erin said.
