What Does it Take to be a Saints Cheer Krewe Member?
A behind-the-scenes look at two members balancing performance, work, and everyday life.
Long before she stepped onto the field, Kennedy Trahan was captivated by the dazzling performances of the Saintsations, the former New Orleans Saints cheerleading team. From the sidelines, she watched their energy, confidence, and connection with the crowd, never imagining she would one day join them.
Today, Trahan is living that dream as a member of the 2026 Saints Cheer Krewe, the team's cheerleading and dance squad. Renamed in 2021, the Krewe combines dancers, cheerleaders, and stunters, with both male and female members. "I grew up going to Saints games. My family had season tickets," said Trahan, who had danced from the age of 4 through her high school years. "I never watched football. I always watched the Saintsations."
As a second-year medical student at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Trahan juggles an intense academic schedule with Saints Cheer Krewe practices and performances. "This definitely requires discipline and time management," said Trahan, who also teaches Pilates once a week. "My days consist of class and studying, so I use my lunch and study breaks to rehearse material and work out. Sometimes, I may even be in the locker room studying before kickoff."
For Trahan, the Saints Cheer Krewe offers a unique opportunity to combine her love of dance and the Saints. One of only three NFL squads to blend dance, cheer, and stunts, the Krewe draws members from a wide range of professions. Trahan performs as a dancer, while Nathaniel "Nate" Batiste III serves on the cheer side and also teaches sixth and seventh graders full time at Jefferson Terrace Academy in Baton Rouge. "I teach 13, 14, and 15-year-olds. It is truly a challenge," said Batiste, who travels from Baton Rouge to New Orleans for Krewe practice and game days. "Being an authoritative figure at school, I have to take that hat off and come in as an athlete. I am here to do a job that I love to do."
As members of the 46-person Saints Cheer Krewe, Trahan, 24, and Batiste, 27, are among 24 dancers and 22 cheerleaders in a group composed of 38 women and eight men. Beyond game-day responsibilities, the Krewe serves as ambassadors for the Saints through fan engagement, community outreach, charitable initiatives, and public appearances. "We are not just a cheer and dance team," said Bekah Spansel, entertainment teams manager for the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans organization. "We are so much more. Our mission as representatives of the game experience is to help the team win the game not just on gameday but in the community."
According to Spansel, four pillars define an ideal Saints Cheer Krewe member: polish, performance, professionalism, and personality. "The athletic and ambassador functions go hand in hand," Spansel said.
In addition to performing at games, Krewe members participate in over 100 community appearances across the Gulf South region. "The entire Gulf South region is our responsibility to serve," Spansel said. "We are trying to make sure that people know who we are and can connect to the Saints brand."
Spansel also highlighted the return of the Jr. Saints Cheer Krewe, where boys and girls ages 11 to 17 will learn a routine and perform alongside the team at the halftime of the preseason game on August 15.
The Krewe's high-energy routines are backed by a year-round commitment to training. During the season, members practice twice a week to refine their skills while building strength and stamina. "We begin each practice with a cardio warm up, and we end with a cardio burn-out on top of drills to skills and reps of routines and stunts," said Tara Brewer, Saints Krewe head coach and owner of The Dance Project in Slidell.
As routines evolve throughout the season, the squad continually learns new material while polishing previously mastered choreography. "There's constantly something to work on. At the end of the year, we're looking at a catalogue of 30 routines," Brewer said.
That preparation comes to life on game days. Brewer explained that the Krewe performs three different routines each game: a morning performance at Champion Square, a pregame routine on the field, and an end zone routine following the second or last quarter. Throughout the game, the Saints Cheer Krewe also performs shorter sideline routines to keep fans engaged and energized.
Brewer noted that, this year, the Krewe introduced all-girl stunt groups for the first time, expanding a program traditionally built around co-ed stunt teams.
For team stunter Batiste, success in the air begins with trust on the ground. He emphasized that strong relationships among teammates are essential when executing complex routines. "Trust is everything on the cheer side," Batiste said. "When you're stunting, timing, technique, and skill all have to come together in a matter of seconds."
The work continues long after football season ends. To remain on the Saints Cheer Krewe, all members, including veterans, must audition each year. "Everyone auditioning has a clean slate," Brewer said. "Veterans audition alongside rookie hopefuls every season."
To support that year-round commitment, the Saints Cheer Krewe provides members with resources to sharpen their skills, including access to all Ochsner Fitness Center locations and Finish Strong Academy in Metairie, which features tumbling floors, dance studios, and specialized training equipment.
Despite the demanding schedule and the challenge of balancing careers and personal lives, Trahan and Batiste say being part of the Saints Cheer Krewe is a privilege. "Our job is to bring excitement and joy to the fans," said Trahan, now in her second year with the Krewe.
For Trahan, Batiste, and their fellow members, those connections with fans make every practice, performance, and sacrifice worthwhile.
