Sneak peeks at Eagles ‘eco-sexy’ calendar

July 11, 2008|By Peter Mucha, Inquirer Staff Writer

You're seeing them here first - pages from the eco-friendly calendar the Eagles won't officially unveil until a private party Wednesday night.

Who'll be on the cover is still hush-hush.

"It is a tremendous accolade for the cheerleader that graces the cover," said Barbara Zaun, Eagles director of cheerleading. "Her photo will be visible at bookstores nationwide on the shelves right next to covers of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, Maxim, Cosmo and other top publications."

But four of the calendar's 16 months - printed on stock that's largely recycled paper - can now be revealed:

They're all young women in organic cotton bikinis.

And more than that.

Devan West, 20, is majoring in business as well as dance at Temple. She's November 2008.

Lauren Keeley, 22, is a special-ed teacher hoping to get her master's to help autistic kids. She's March 2009.

Kjersti Soberg, 21, a Norwegian-born University of the Arts dance major, was part of the squad that recently entertained troops in Kuwait and Iraq. She's April.

Stephanie Herzka, 22, is a University of Delaware grad and a nursing assistant, hoping to become a physician's assistant. She's May.

Along with the 34 other squad members, they flew to the Dominican resort town of Punta Cana in early May to shoot the National Football League's first environmentally savvy calendar.

The Eagles dubbed it "eco-sexy."

It says so right on Keeley's bikini.

The pendant on her necklace has two green footprints, she said, symbolizing "the carbon footprint everyone leaves upon the world."

Because of the shoot, she's more aware of what we all can do, she said. She walks more, uses less electricity, and expects to spread the message to her students.

The Eagles even plant trees at Neshaminy State Park to help offset their fuel use - like the cheerleaders' commercial flight to Punta Cana, she said.

The club, through its "Go Green" program, incorporates recycling and alternative energy use into every corner of the franchise, from biodegradable beverage cups and to the solar panels atop the corporate headquarters.

Of course, there is a money side. Not that selling 25,000 copies of last year's calendar for $14.95 offsets more than a fraction of the new cornerback's signing bonus.

The calendar shoot was just part of the busy squad's off-season schedule, which began with the Eagles draft party in April and will continue with appearances at training camp this month.

1 | 2 | Next »
|
|
|
|
|