Young ladies from as far away as California and even Japan descended on the Thunder Event Center in Edmond, OK on July 28th, 2012 to give their best at a chance to become an Oklahoma City Thunder Girl!   As I sit here and watch the girls standing against the wall waiting for their turn before the judges one can sense the excitement and anticipation mixed with an unlikely pairing of confidence and nervousness.

I wanted to get some thoughts first hand from someone who has been through this process so I sat down with Sheri and we talked about what her time with Thunder has meant for her personally as well as what these hopeful young women may be experiencing.

Sheri is a veteran that has been with the team since the first season and was even a “Honey Bee” (New Orleans Hornets) before that when the team spent some time here in Oklahoma City after hurricane Katrina in 2005.

When I asked Sheri about the emotions that go into these auditions she said, “It’s exciting with a lot of energy… of course there some questioning and nervousness but if you put a smile on your face, that’s what the judges are looking for”.

When asked about her tenure with the team she expressed heartfelt and genuine love for the girls, the team and the fans in Oklahoma City.  Sheri also spoke of what it meant to be able to represent Oklahoma City and the Thunder overseas in China, Taiwan and London.  The Thunder girls have always been very active in the off-season with visits all over the world sharing the NBA experience with fans from all over.

When I asked Sheri about her departure this year and what the future holds for her I really saw what a family like environment this organization cultivates.  The expression on her face was so familiar to anyone who has ever looked into the face of a child going off to college or a son or daughter off to serve in our armed forces.  The expression I saw was one of hopeful expectation for the future knowing that the support of her Thunder family will always be true and constant.

For audio of my interview with Sheri click here.