DANCE
- Title:
- Spirit Director
- Email:
- slersch@depaul.edu
Shanon Lersch is a Chicago native and graduate from DePaul University with her undergrad and Masters in Sociology & Communications. During her studies, she focused on Social Policy and Educational Policy looking at the importance of arts and creative involvement on the development of self esteem and personal growth.
She was Miss Illinois USA and has had the opportunity to travel to 30+ countries such as Japan, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Hong Kong, China, France, Italy, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and all of Southeast Asia as a Professional Model, NBA Dancer, and Spokesperson.
For seven seasons, Shanon was a professional NBA dancer with the Chicago Bulls serving as captain of the team.
Shanon was the In-arena host for the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago Rush as well as DePaul University Athletics covering timeout/halftime activities as well as other fan contests/interactions and emcee responsibilities at hospitality functions and other VIP events.
She held a position with NBA China working in Asia as Talent and Entertainment Development. Shanon finished four seasons on the NBA Competition / Reality Dance Show in China “Dance Passion” where she was the Lead NBA Talent, Host, Choreographer, Dance Coach, and Celebrity Judge which aired live on China's Central Television Sports Channel CCTV-5. She also worked as a host and media personality for an English Hong Kong national station Now Sports 635. As a presenter, she covered rugby, football, tennis, cricket, racing and all NBA related events including the NBA All-Star game as part of NOW TV's extensive coverage serving the Hong Kong / China market.
Shanon was the Broadcast Host and Commentator for the CW 50 Broadcasting Network with the Chicago Wolves, American Hockey League - a weekly 3 hour AHL Hockey Broadcast which includes analyst commentary, in-game reporting, interviewing players, coaches, executive staff, as well as presenting activities, community events, and other fan contests and interactions. She has also worked on programming for the Scene Network in Chicago and Sports Plus Chicago a social pod cast talking sports and social events for the Chicago Bears.
She was named the first coach of the USA Para-Cheer team for the International Cheer Union World Championships and was a Special Olympics Committee Member working for the development and expansion of cheer and dance at a local, national, and international level within Special Olympics. In the past year, she has been a Special Events Manager for the SO 50thAnniversay Global Inclusion Celebration in Chicago, presenting the first cheer competition on Soldier Field and the first Cheer Competition Demonstration for the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi.
Finishing her second decade with DePaul University, she is proud to have developed the Dance & Cheer Programs at the university into nationally recognized competitive programs and looks forward to a new season of growth and possibilities.
