PEWAUKEE, Wis. — If you’ve been to a Milwaukee Bucks home game, you may have seen the Bucks Grand Dancers perform during a timeout or at halftime.

The team, made up of dancers ages 55 and older, brings entertainment and pumps up the crowd with their dance moves.

Mike Nelson is 72-years-old and has been on the team for several seasons.

“It’s fantastic,” said Nelson. “Now you have 18,000 fans. We get large ovations and cheering when we come out there.”

He said not only does the group help him stay active, but it’s a second family.

“You’re dealing with positive people and outgoing people,” said Nelson. “Everyone is happy in the group.”

In August 2023, Nelson suffered from two strokes, leaving him numb on the right side of his face and loss of mobility on his right arm and hand. 

Shortly after, he began a rehabilitation program through the Froedtert Bluemound Rehabilitation Hospital.

“Still had the videos from the dances we were doing, so I would practice the mentally in my head,” said Nelson. “When I had the chance, I would do them there. I performed a couple times in there. That’s one of the things they wanted me to do at the end, to show I had balance.”

Nelson said his team members would visit him and give him hope that he’d be able to return for 2023-2024 season.

And he did in December. 

“They put me in the center,” said Nelson. “They put me front and center. I danced by myself for a little bit, then came back with the rest of the group. I thanked them afterwards. It pushed me and made me feel good after I had done it.”

Another reason why he said he’s honored to wear his Bucks jersey is that he knows his teammates are there for him on and off the court. To Nelson, the Bucks Grand Dancers are more than just a team — they’re family.