Auxiliarist Evans and the Miami Dolphins Cheer Leaders

MIAMI BEACH, FL

Flotilla 6-11 member Bob Evans wasn’t quite sure why his Flotilla Commander requested his presence at USCG Sector Miami at 0900 hrs on Thursday, November 13, 2008 but being a loyal volunteer Guardian he made the trek, dressed in his Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) as requested. When he was finally told of the purpose of this mission, he grinned like a boy in a giant candy store.

This mission would be like none other that he had previously been on. Evans, who serves as the Flotilla 6-11 Navigation Safety Officer was to appear aboard the Coast Guard Cutter DOLPHIN (WPB-87354) to meet a group of Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders who were making a promotional appearance aboard the Cutter.

The relationship between the Cutter DOLPHIN and the Miami Dolphins Football Club had been established several years back by the active duty public affairs team. The DOLPHIN, based at USCG Sector Miami, would be the adopted Coast Guard vessel of the Miami Dolphins for promotional and public affairs purposes. Unfortunately, like many relationships that go un-nurtured, little was done to foster the partnership between the two organizations since the kick-off event several years ago.

LTJG Peter Lang, USCG, Commanding Officer of the DOLPHIN decided to change that. He wrote a letter directly to Bill Parcells, Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the Miami Dolphins requesting members of the cheerleading squad to make an appearance at the cutter. Parcells (a.k.a. “The Big Tuna”) had the Dolphin’s public relations team schedule the appearance aboard the DOLPHIN.

Miami Flotilla 6-11 has a very close relationship with the active duty and meets at the same base where the DOLPHIN is home ported. When Flotilla 6-11 leadership was informed by LT John Corbett of USCG Station Miami Beach about the opportunity to attend the visit by the cheerleading squad, they immediately thought of Evans -- a lifelong Miami Dolphins fan who had worked extremely hard for the Flotilla over the past two years across a variety of mission areas including Surface Operations, Navigational Systems Verification, Vessel Examinations, and Recreational Boating Safety Program Visits.

“Bob has been one of our most active members and this was a great opportunity to reward him for his hard work and dedication,” said Judy Sanchez, Flotilla 6-11 Vice Commander. “What we did not anticipate is how Bob would turn his reward into a new opportunity to connect with the local marine industry and boating public.”

When Evans arrived at Sector Miami he parked his car and waited patiently on the dock near the stern of the DOLPHIN. Electricity filled the air as young Guardians lingered about, awaiting the arrival of the cheerleading squad. The front door of the main building soon opened and out pranced eight Miami Dolphins cheerleaders in their short skirts, tight tops, and bright white boots. They made there way to the DOLPHIN and were greeted, then escorted aboard, by LTJG Lang.

A nearby cutter was in the process of departing the base and re-secured all lines as soon as the cheerleaders appeared – the jaws of the crew laying on the deck as they watched the ladies board the DOLPHIN and greet her crew.

It took about 45 minutes for the cheerleaders to tour the DOLPHIN, watch a search and rescue demonstration, and pose for photos with the crew. Then it was time for Auxiliarist Evans, affectionately nicknamed “Admiral Bob” by his Flotilla 6-11 shipmates, to make his arrival.

Evans requested permission to board the cutter and was immediately engulfed by the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders, who wondered who this handsome looking, senior addition to the crew was. The ladies huddled around “Admiral Bob” flirting with him and posing for several photos.

“Who would have thought that a guy my age could still have this much fun,” proclaimed Evans. “This was one of the most exciting days I have had as a member of the Auxiliary.”

Shortly thereafter, the event ended. Evans joined the rest of the base in proceeding to the Mess Deck for the ritual Thursday steak lunch. He smiled from ear to ear as he relived the experience, forever captured in his memory as well as in photographs.

Miami Dophins Cheer Leaders welcomed aboard

However, it was one photo in particular – the “money shot” as we say in the public affairs business – that brings us to the second half of this story. In this photo Evans is pictured on the deck of the cutter in his ODU flanked by four stunning Miami Dolphins cheerleaders on each side. It was a shot that Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton, would have been proud of.

What “Admiral Bob” did next was sheer genius. He took that “money shot” and had several hundred 4x10 inch cards printed with the photo along with a caption that read “Admiral Bob wishes you a Cheerful Holiday Season!” Evans then took the cards with him everywhere he went, including on his Recreational Boating Safety Program Visits to area marine dealers and supply shops.

“Bob had been going to these same locations for several months, and he found it was difficult to capture the interest of employees and customers in talking about our core programs like boating safety and America’s Waterway Watch,” said James Simpson, Flotilla 6-11 Program Visitor Officer. “He could sense them tense up when he approached.”

This all changed when Evans walked up with his new Miami Dolphins cheerleader’s photo card. Knowing that most guys at these South Florida locations have an affinity for “the three F’s”; Fishing, Football, and Females (not necessarily in that order), Evans found a new way to break the ice and start a conversation. Often, those conversations became discussions about the Auxiliary, boating safety, and the modernization of the Coast Guard.

“It was amazing,” proclaims Evans. “I was no longer perceived as a potential nuisance, but rather someone who had a very cool and interesting experience that they could easily relate to. This made the fellas much more relaxed and comfortable in talking with me.”

This tactic deployed by Evans echoes the “Cracker Barrel” concept of generations past in which townspeople would gather around the barrel at the general store to swap stories and exchange information. This is also the basis of today’s social media web sites like MySpace.com and Facebook.com which have been quickly proliferating across the Web due to their sense of community. Evans claims he has found it is much easier and more effective to conduct his public outreach in this way.

“When you approach someone and immediately start lecturing them on life jackets and terrorists there is good chance they are going to find a reason to quickly end the conversation,” said Evans. “If you show them something like a photo of yourself on a Coast Guard cutter surrounded by beautiful NFL cheerleaders, chances are they will stop and listen to what you have to say. Then you can talk to them about almost anything you want!”

~HRW