Keeping Game Day Safe for Cheerleaders and Fans

Leslie’s background in martial arts helped 
prepare her for a job at GEHA Field where she 
protects the Kansas City Chiefs cheer squad.

Fans attending a Kansas City Chiefs game watch the action on the field while Leslie Lark and other security staff watch the sidelines to help ensure the day goes smoothly for the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders. During the week, Leslie works in our Security Department.

This year marks Leslie’s second season working security for the cheer squad. Before each home game, she arrives several hours prior to kick off to participate in briefings and preparations. Once it gets closer to game time, Leslie typically accompanies the cheerleaders to take photos, visit stadium suites and interact with fans in areas outside the stadium. “I have two daughters, so I protect the cheerleaders as if they were my own,” Leslie said.

Leslie also makes sure cheerleaders can arrive at their designated areas on time and helps keep the pregame parade route open for them, volunteer Red Coaters and Rumble musicians. Her work continues once the game starts. She monitors the crowd to watch for fans who may need help or have a question.

Although she’s small in stature, Leslie has 25 years of experience in martial arts, which has helped prepare her for security work. She described herself as not easily intimidated with confidence to handle difficult situations. She also doesn’t let working close to celebrities, like Taylor Swift and Motley Crew, distract her.

Leslie says much of her job with the cheer squad involves making sure interactions with fans are appropriate and rules are followed, like the rule that fans can’t touch the cheerleaders. “Sometimes fans don’t know,” she said, “so it’s our job to educate them.”

Leslie recommends Chiefs fans download the Kansas City Chiefs app to ensure they understand the rules and regulations and help ensure they have the best game-day experience possible.

One of Leslie’s highlights so far from her time with the Chiefs was the NFL Draft in April. She supervised nearly 100 people along the barricade route that separated the main stage at Union Station from the crowd. After three days and nearly 40 miles of walking, Leslie was rewarded for her efforts with a commemorative coin (see below) from the head of NFL security. For Leslie, there are similarities between her job at GEHA Field and the hospital. “I enjoy people and find great satisfaction when I am able to serve others whether at the stadium or the hospital.”

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Kim Shopper

Kim has worked at NKCH for nearly 40 years where she produces the employee newsletter and manages internal campaigns. She is a board member for the Kansas City Health Communicators, and she is passionate about animal rescue and volunteers for the Parkville Animal Shelter.