NOT THE PARKETTES BUT
THE POMPERETTES

The Historical Society has been visited by Bob Patrin, who developed a St. Louis Park-related dance team. See the complete story in the Fall issue of Hennepin History newsletter. Here’s how Bob Reiss wrote it up:
 

In 1955, there were few cheerleader/dance line opportunities for girls. Roosevelt High was the only high school with a dance team in Minneapolis. Bob Patrin, a soldier returning to the University of Minnesota, had observed girls performing at a football game at Berkeley. He wanted to organize something similar for the Minnesota Gophers.

As a student coach at Minnesota, Patrin had access to Ike Armstrong, the athletic director. At first Armstrong was opposed to short skirted co-eds appearing on the sidelines for football games. He relented after seeing films of west coast performances, and he signed a contract with Patrin to provide cheerleader/dancers for the 1955 football game – with the restriction that the girls’ skirts reached below the knees and that they wear sweaters.

The first recruit was a former Parkette who was attending the U. She recruited her friends, so most of the first Pomperettes were former Parkettes. Patrin was not able to get ready for the 1955 football season, so the first performances were for basketball and hockey teams in 1956. Even then there were problems: the Minnesota Band did not like the distraction and it was difficult to get them to play the girls’ music. But group thrived and made a trip to the Rose Bowl in 1962.
 

The Pomperettes and the Parkettes found themselves in competition with each other for performances. Both performed at various times for the Lakers. When the Vikings came to town in 1961, Patrin formed the Vi-Queens, with some SLP members, and the girls performed for the team for two years. Although the Vikings wanted to continue the contract, Patrin could not provide the girls, nor did he have adequate practice room. The Parkettes were able to provide what was needed and became the Vikings’ cheerleaders for several years. Both the Pomperettes and the Vi-Queens ended their run in 1963.


 

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.