Belt worn by a member of the Kilgore Rangerettes, 1950
date: label: date made
content: 1950
name: label: user
content: Kilgore Rangerettes
notes: label: Description (Brief)
content: Wide white leather belt that laces up the front with a white rawhide lace. There are two decorative silver medallions with a white rawhide lace attached to the front of the belt on either side of the laces. This was part of the uniform worn by a member of the Kilgore Rangerettes from Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas in 1950. The Kilgore Rangerettes were created by Gussie Nell Davis in 1939 and debuted on September 12, 1940 as the halftime show during the football games. This was Kilgore's solution to encourage female enrollment and keep fans in the stands during halftime. The Rangerettes became the first dance team to perform at halftime shows and have since performed in 65 consecutive Cotton bowl games and make regular appearances at Dallas Cowboy games.
label: Description (Brief)
content: Pep squads were prevalent at high schools and colleges throughout the United States in the early 1900s but it was not until Gussie Nell Davis created the Flaming Flashes that the precision drill team really took hold. Just like pep squads, drill teams were created to promote school spirit and entertain the school and community but drill teams went a step further thanks to Davis’ insight. Seeing the need for girls to build self-confidence and a stronger self-esteem, Davis began teaching dance steps and twirling routines. This not only improved the girl’s physical coordination, it also provided a sense of belonging and community that was lacking, as most team sports were not available to girls. Drill teams are seen primarily in high schools and colleges and perform dance routines in unison, often set to pre-recorded or live music at games or other community events. They differ from cheerleading as they do not cheer or perform jumps and other more athletic stunts. Until Title IX, these precision drill team squads were among the few physical activities available at the high school and collegiate levels that provided opportunities for women.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
topic: label: web subject
content: Sports
label: web subject
content: Halftime Entertainment
label: web subject
content: Dance
label: web subject
content: Women
label: name of sport
content: Football
label: level of sport
content: College
label: level of sport
content: Professional
setName: label: See more items in
content: Culture and the Arts: Sport and Leisure
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 2014.0257.03
label: accession number
content: 2014.0257
label: catalog number
content: 2014.0257.03
objectType: label: Object Name
content: belt
label: Object Name
content: belt, cheerleading
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: leather (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 4 in x 11 in x 6 in; 10.16 cm x 27.94 cm x 15.24 cm