Giant Leaps: Neil Armstrong, Luvabulls Hopefuls

“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

And with those words, astronaut Neil Armstrong marked becoming the first human being to step foot on the moon on July 20, 1969.

It was an out-of-this-world experience. Armstrong died Saturday (Aug. 25). He was 82. A genuine American hero. To have viewed the historic moment on television was an incredible experience.

Speaking of out-of-this-world experiences involving small steps (and other maneuvers), the Chicago Luvabulls held auditions for the 2012-13 dance team on Saturday at the United Center. To have viewed that daylong activity was an incredible experience, if not quite as earth-shaking as man on the moon.

Many small steps for women, one giant leap for Bulls fans.

Taking a photo of the 47 women going to Luvabulls mini-camp is what some of us like to think of as work.

All the females who tried out are praiseworthy, regardless of how far they advanced. You do not reach a destination — a foot on the moon, a spot on the Luvabulls or elsewhere — without trying.

Your humble — and very fortunate — correspondent was present to view close to 200 women hoping to become members of the dance team. Maybe it wasn’t the same as stepping on the moon. But for those of us closer to achieving the status of space cadet than an astronaut, it will more than suffice.

Luvabulls director Cathy Core oversaw the proceedings with the assistance of several others, including choreographer Kim Tyler. Among the judges were restaurateur Billy Dec, Comcast SportsNet Chicago producer Sarah Lauch and sportscaster Luke Stuckmeyer, Co. Dance executive director Tracie Marciniak (a former Luvabull herself), Bulls director of game operations Jason Siok and Sharon Daniel Salon owner Dan McReynolds.

Of the lovely ladies who tried out for the Luvabulls, Cathy will be taking 47 — including 19 members of last season’s squad — to minicamp with the final cutdown to 25 coming Wednesday night. If things go as planned (which occasionally they do, especially when they involve something as important as all this), we will provide coverage of that activity for Thursday and possibly beyond.

Until then, the video department at elliottharris.com recorded many moments from Saturday’s auditions. Here are some — with more to come in the next few days:

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