Dee Brock, the educator and creator of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, died on September 23 in Tyler, Texas, at the age of 96, according to her friend Linda Resnik. Brock, originally a high school English teacher and model, was instrumental in developing the cheerleading squad that gained international recognition for its distinctive style and performances.

In 1961, Tex Schramm, then president of the Dallas Cowboys, recruited Brock with the instruction to assemble a squad composed of models. However, Brock declined the proposal as Schramm was unwilling to offer payment, which she described as a “nonstarter.” Instead, she proposed recruiting local high school cheerleaders and gradually introduced boys to the group for several years starting in 1964. Initially, the squad was known as the Cowbelles and Beaux, a name Brock disliked, and the uniforms were conservative white outfits that covered much of the body.

Brock’s vision transformed the squad significantly over time. In 1965, she integrated the cheerleaders, hired a choreographer, and designed costumes that featured more skin, though she noted they were still less revealing than the outfits worn in later years. She also shifted recruitment to include women over 18 through open auditions. These changes marked the transition from traditional high school cheerleading to a more professional, performance-oriented team. By the early 1970s, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders had largely taken on the appearance they are known for today, appearing in two Super Bowls during that period.

Brock managed the cheerleaders on a part-time basis until 1975 while continuing her teaching career in Dallas. Her academic background was rooted in English and American literature; she earned bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from North Texas State University, culminating in a doctorate in 1985. She was born Dorothy Faye Sala on June 7, 1930, in Covington, Oklahoma, and raised in Wright City, Texas. Her father was a union organizer, and her mother worked in banking.

Beyond cheerleading, Brock was a pioneer in distance education. In 1966, she became part of the founding faculty at El Centro College in Dallas, where she developed televised college courses, starting with English composition. Her work expanded when she joined PBS in 1980 as director of adult programming, creating televised courses in subjects such as business, American history, psychology, health, teacher training, and the arts. By the early 1980s, thousands of viewers were registering for college credit through these televised courses, which were broadcast on hundreds of public television stations and accredited by hundreds of colleges and universities nationwide.

Brock retired from PBS in 1990 as a senior vice president and subsequently worked as a consultant for educational institutions and media organizations. She is survived by her three sons, Baron, Bishop, and Bevin, as well as three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.