TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – A former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader is returning to her Tucson roots to inspire the next generation of dancers.

Chandi McCright, a Salpointe Catholic and University of Arizona alum, is beginning the next chapter of her dance career as the assistant coach at Arizona Pomline.

“I’m just truly honored that I was selected my first year through my sixth year, because you do have to try out every single year,” McCright said.

McCright remembers her first Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders tryout like it was yesterday.

“I’m pretty sure I woke up and I cried the first day,” McCright said. “I’m not going to lie, I was so scared.”

That was 2019 – the beginning of her journey on the sidelines at AT&T Stadium. This past season, she was featured on the Netflix show ‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’.

She hung up her boots after six seasons, but her dance journey continues in Tucson.

“Being able to come back and watch other girls achieve their goals of making their college dance teams or going on to pros is something I’ve always wanted to be a part of and help them get to,” McCright said.

McCright shared that dream growing up in Tucson. She started ballet at age three. In high school, she danced on the Salpointe Catholic Pomline.

“I feel like I took those three years I was on the team there and really try to perfect my skill,” McCright said.

She remained in Tucson for college, joining the Arizona Pomline.

“I didn’t really have any interest of going anywhere else,” McCright said with a smile. “My family also went to University of Arizona. It was already in our blood. We were already a Wildcat family.”

McCright credits her experience with Arizona for preparing her for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

“I think because Arizona is more of a gameday school and we focus more on showmanship,” McCright said. “Being able to learn that and grow my confidence on the sidelines helped me so when I went into that really big audition for Cowboys, I was a little bit more comfortable.”

News 4 Tucson joined McCright on the first day of Pom camp.

“I’m just there to help them clean all the dances, give them different pointers and tips to make it bigger or more pizzazz,” McCright said. “I hope that because I’ve gone through so much and now the whole world has seen that,” McCright said. “I hope that it makes these girls willing to open up to me more.”