Emporia State Dancer Living Her Dream

Living Her Dream
By Ashley Walker
The Emporia Gazette

Barista. Dance instructor. President of her sorority. Full-time undergraduate student. And now ... NFL cheerleader. ESU senior Katie Beyer is busy.

But then again, she knew what she was in for last March when she tried out to be a Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader: the chance to do what she loves.

“Dance has always been my passion,” she said. From the time she was 2 1/2 years old, Beyer has been dancing. “It’s always been my thing.”

As a child, her parents would drive her up from her hometown of LeRoy to take dance lessons at Kari’s Dance Academy in Emporia. She continued to excel at the academy and eventually competed on the Starfire Dance Team.

So when it was time to look for a college to attend after graduating from Southern Coffey County High School in 2004, Emporia State seemed like the natural choice.

As a health promotion major, she continued to pursue her passion for dance by being on the ESU Stingers team and teaching dance lessons at Kari’s. But it wasn’t until the spring of her junior year that she decided to take another step in her dancing career — to audition for the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader squad.

With the support and encouragement from family and friends, Beyer traveled up to Kansas City to audition against 200 other hopefuls for a spot on the squad. After a month of intense competition and scrutiny of her dancing abilities, fitness level, presentation skills, even her talent at designing a cheer uniform, Beyer was picked to be one of 36 Chief’s cheerleaders.

“It was intense,” she said, comparing auditions to the popular CMT series, “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Making the Team.” “The auditions are to find girls who would best fit the team for the year.”

The squad has been a good fit for Beyer. “It has been really busy,” she said. “But worth it. I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t enjoy dancing and hanging out with the girls. I get to do what I love to do.”

But doing what she loves to do demands a lot of work, too. She is required to attend three, three hour practices a week in Kansas City, which means lots of mileage on the road each week. It’s that time, on the road, though, she uses to connect with friends and family — on her cell phone.

On top of the ten home games the girls are required to cheer at, they also do special appearances, perform a holiday show and instruct the junior chiefs cheer clinic. And then there are her responsibilities in Emporia. Beyer works approximately 15 hours a week at the Java Cat, teaches dance four hours a week at Kari’s Dance Academy, is taking 13 hours at ESU and is the president of her sorority, Chi Omega.

She has to be organized to get it all done. “I do have a detailed planner,” she said. “And if it’s not in there it doesn’t get done.”

One of the most memorable parts of her first season as Chief’s Cheerleader was her first game. “I was overwhelmed at first,” she said, speaking of the number of fans who filled the stadium.

And on signing autographs for the first time, she said, “I probably didn’t say as many “thank you’s” as I should have.”

The rookie cheerleader is not sure what her career plans are when she graduates next May, but one thing she does plan on doing is auditioning again next spring for another year with the Chiefs. Beyer has two more home games of the season, Dec. 14 and 21.

Coached By Peers: Kickboxers Start Fresh

By Sami Richards
Pacific Index Story with video

The Kickboxers dance team is starting this basketball season off with a fresh outlook as a completely student-run club.

Last year's coach, Cassie Law, was unable to return due to health issues and the previous coach of almost eight years retired to start a family. As a result, the coaching responsibility has been left in the hands of returners, junior Kim O'Rourke and senior Brooke Arndt.

"I actually think the team is going to be better this year," said O'Rourke. "As individuals, no one is substantially more experienced which has turned out well because as a whole we look really good."

The team's almost three-minute routine, to be performed at the half times of the Saturday, Sept. 22 basketball games, according to O'Rourke, only took about one hour to learn for the unusually young team. Comprised of almost entirely new recruits, with just two returners other than the coaches, the Kickboxers have high hopes for a successful season.

"This is something just for fun," said O'Rourke, "I continuously remind everyone that we are here to make new friends and dance; it is a nice break from classes."

To keep a serious atmosphere though, the team had a full four days of tryouts and Professor Jeannine Chan will be serving as the teams advisor for the season, helping the group to remain recognized as a club on campus.

"It is not as much pressure without an official coach, which makes it a little easier to enjoy ourselves," said O'Rourke.

Split Personality For Family In Utah-BYU Rivalry

Alpine's Mowers manage a split personality during BYU-Utah week
Daily Herald
By Beky Beaton

So what determines team loyalty when a family has a split personality?

For the Doug Mower clan of Alpine, the answer is easy - blood.
Blood relation, that is.

Doug and wife Jody are BYU alumni. Oldest children Mindy and Matt are BYU graduates, and Katie and Tyler are current BYU students. Katie is also a member of the Cougarettes.

So, it would be easy to assume that this is an enclave of avid BYU fans.

Not so fast.

Second son Clint is the fly in the ointment, so to speak. He just happens to be in his senior season as the deep snapper for the Ute football team.

"Even though most of my family went to BYU, I never really had a side growing up," Clint said. "Once I came up here, my whole family converted to being Utah fans. They totally support me."

The player added that he's received a surprising amount of encouragement from his friends and neighbors too, even though his family lives right in the middle of Cougar country.

"There are a lot of people in my parents' ward who follow my team and make comments to me when I'm home," Clint said. He also gets some of the younger residents asking shyly for autographs.

He called Katie a "closet" Ute fan, but she said she makes no effort to hide it.

"I was definitely a Ute fan before I got to BYU and I'm still a little red," she said. "I'll always cheer for my brother."

That loyalty didn't get in the way of her pursuing her own dreams, however.

"I always knew I wanted to try out for the Cougarettes dance team because they're really good," she explained. "They're one of the reasons I applied to BYU, and when I made the team, BYU seemed the logical choice. It has worked out very well for me."

Clint returns the support he gets with some of his own. When he can, he goes to BYU games to watch Katie dance.

The most recent opportunity was the San Diego State game. "Of course, I had a good excuse because we were going to play them next, and BYU after that," he said.

He still made a fuss in the stands until his sister's smile and wave showed that she had seen him. "It's fun," he said. "It works out really well."

Katie agreed.

"I suppose I should be a little bit more of an advocate for BYU," she said. "It might be a little different story if I was a boy and we were actually playing against each other."

Katie is a sophomore, but tomorrow's game presents a situation she hasn't faced before.

"It's funny," she said. "I was planning to go with my parents to the game and wear my red shirt with Mower on it, and then I found out they were sending the Cougarettes to the game as well.

"It will certainly be a little different to wear blue in Rice-Eccles," she added.

Despite her appearance for the Blue side, however, there's no question about who she wants to come out victorious in the game.

"I'd like to see my brother win," she said. "The girls on the (dance) team tease me about it, and I'm tempted to wear my red shirt to the practice the day before, but it's all in good fun. They understand its family, and you support your family."

For the parents, being there for both children has created a couple of interesting days, as well as spurring an expansion of their wardrobe to cover both the Blue and the Red.

BYU Homecoming weekend last year was one of those occasions. Doug and Jody watched Katie dance at halftime of the Air Force game dressed in blue, then drove to the airport and caught a flight to Las Vegas.

The arrived at UNLV dressed in red, just in time for the 8 p.m. kickoff.

The Mowers replicated the two-in-one-day feat again this year.

They watched Katie dance at halftime of the UCLA game, then changed clothes and drove up to Logan in time for the 6 p.m. Utah kickoff at USU.

It's a little easier when the schedules don't conflict, and of course, they attend during those events too.

Doug admits that he still likes BYU -- except when they play Utah. "We're rooting for the Utes on Saturday," he said.

"Clint's played on the team for three years and it's been a great experience," the father said. "We've gotten to know the parents, the other players and the coaches there, and we've had a great time. I'm definitely a Ute football fan."

Like his son, Doug has also been surprised at how many Ute fans have come out of the woodwork in the neighborhood, but that doesn't mean the Mowers escape any comment.

"A lot of our neighbors and ward members tease us," he said. "Last year on the morning of the (BYU-Utah) game, we found a big blue Y flag hung on our front porch."

So, did they burn it? Shred it? Throw it away?

Nope.

They found out who left it there, eventually. They kept it for about half a year, and then gave it back, intact.

That result well represents the kind of civility you have to have to survive in a family with ties to both sides.

• Beky Beaton can be reached at bbeaton@heraldextra.com.

GW Dance Team Ranks Third In Nation

Team to compete in national competition
by Jenny Avallon
GW Hatchet
Media Credit: Alex Ellis
Video: The First Ladies

The GW women's dance team, the First Ladies, will take the stage at the national dance championship next month in Florida ranked third in the nation - their highest preseason ranking ever.

The team performs at the Smith Center during basketball games, but team members said placing at the Universal Dance Association's national championship - held at Disney World in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 18 and 19 - is their ultimate goal.

"We are obviously ecstatic about being ranked third," said team member Whitney Ksiazek, a junior. "We beat teams that have been in the top three for years - so breaking that precedent is huge. We have come so far and all of our hard work - we practice almost every day and have morning workouts twice a week - is really paying off."

During the national competition, the First Ladies will compete in both the hip-hop and dance categories. The team worked with two choreographers, who flew in from California to train with the dancers.

"Our nationals routines are very different than what we do at basketball games," Ksiazek said. "It is really our time to shine. It is what we really work towards all year long."

Head coach Alyssa Dagget, in her fourth year leading the First Ladies, said the team placed ninth in the competition last year, but the preseason ranking has them optimistic.

"With such a great ranking in taping, the team is excited to perform and improve their national ranking this upcoming year," Dagget said. The Division I ranking, which is based off a video submission, also means Universal Dance Association will cover some of the dance team's travel expenses to the national championship at Disney.

"The girls fundraise every year for the nationals trip, and fortunately this year they do not need to fundraise quite as much due to receiving a partial paid bid," Dagget said.

Now, after establishing themselves during the preseason, team members said they will continue to work hard until the national championship in January, practicing almost every day, working out twice a week and having double practice sessions for all but one week over winter break.

If the First Ladies place in the top three at national competition, ESPN 2 will air their performances in January.

Former UConn Dancer Joins Patriots Cheerleaders

Life in the NFL: Ledyard native Leah Krieger describes life as an NFL cheerleader

By Russ Morey
The Thames River Times

Growing up, 22-year-old Leah Krieger of Ledyard had many interests but a singular passion: dancing. Throughout her childhood and into her teen years, Krieger trained at the local studio, Alison’s School of Dance, where she learned various styles and the value of hard work. Looking back to those times, Krieger said she would have never believed it if someone were to tell her she’d end up as a cheerleader for the New England Patriots.

“Growing up I never thought I’d be a Patriots cheerleader,” Krieger said. “I never even contemplated cheering at all. I’m actually a trained dancer. I’ve been a dancer my whole life, and when I graduated high school I was really upset because that meant leaving behind my dance studio. So the first thing I set out to do once going to UConn was to try out for the UConn dance team. Luckily I made it as a freshman and I made the team each year after that.”

Krieger explained how following her passion at the University of Connecticut led to her first real taste of performing in front of large crowds, something that was quite different than what she was used to. Instead of performing on a stage in front of hundreds of people, she was performing on a basketball court in front of thousands, and at times, millions when the UConn men’s and women’s basketball games were aired nationally.

Majoring in business management systems, Krieger said her college years seemed to fly by, and before she knew it she was nearing graduation and confronted once again with those same bittersweet feelings over the end of her performing career. While she had already received a job offer to work as an IT auditor with a company based outside of Hartford, Krieger felt that she just couldn’t stop dancing yet. She had known two girls, one from her former dance studio and one from the UConn dance team who had tried out and made the Patriots cheerleading squad.

“I said to myself, ‘You know what? I’m not ready to give it up just yet. I still really love dancing.’” Krieger explained. “So I thought, ‘What the heck?’ and I went and tried out for the Patriots.”

Krieger said that knowing a couple of girls who had made the team previously made it seem a little more of an attainable goal, yet as she began researching what it entailed, she began to take this new challenge very seriously. Training months before the audition to look her best, Krieger showed up to auditions with approximately 300 other girls to compete for 24 spots.

The audition process started with an optional workshop (which is strongly recommended) that gave Krieger a better understanding of how things run and allowed the judges to become a little familiar with their potential recruits. Krieger explained that during the first round of auditions, the judges look at things like how fast the girls can pick up the choreography, athleticism, appearance, smile, and enthusiasm. After the first round of tryouts, the group of hopefuls went down from 300 to 55. At this time the 13 veterans who were still interested in being on the team and were still eligible (a Patriots cheerleader can only be on the team for a maximum of three years) joined the group, as even the veterans are required to try out every season.

In the second round of auditions, the 68 girls left were required to learn even more choreography, and, as Krieger explained, the judges weren’t necessarily looking for a perfect performance, but rather the most well-rounded dancers who were able to make a quick recovery after a mistake.

This group of 68 was then narrowed down to 35 girls, who underwent two weeks of boot camp, practicing with the team. They also met for one-on-one interviews with the head coach. After the two weeks, the final 24 girls were announced as the 2008 New England Patriots cheerleaders. Krieger said the feeling of hearing her name announced was almost indescribable.

“It was sheer excitement and joy and an overwhelming feeling of what’s to come,” Krieger explained. “I knew that all the hard work had paid off and there was still more ahead, and it was exactly what I had wanted. I had actually achieved the goal I had been working toward for months, and in a sense years, because it also validated all of my dance training.”

While ecstatic to begin preparing for the NFL season, Krieger soon came to realize just how hectic of a life she was about to lead for the next 12 months.

“Being a Patriots cheerleader is not a full-time job,” Krieger explained. “It’s a part-time job with a very, very extensive time commitment. Some people joke and say that it’s a part-time job but a full-time commitment, and it really is. We have mandatory practices two to three times per week, 12 months a year, and we do charitable and paid promotions, which we’re required to do by contract. All of us girls volunteer for them because we enjoy them. They’re a lot of fun, but they often mean traveling all over to the other side of Connecticut or to Massachusetts or Rhode Island, or to Maine. And, of course, game days. There really is a lot that goes into it.”

Krieger explained that the two or three practices during the week tend to last three hours or so while the Saturday practice lasts for six hours. On game days, practice is five hours before the game and then the game itself lasts for around three hours, yet the cheerleaders often stay after the game for autograph signings and other appearances. In addition, Krieger works full-time (50 hours a week) as an IT auditor, which requires her to travel to client locations all over the area.

Krieger describes her new life as a balancing act, joking that she is constantly on the road and basically lives out of a suitcase which has been a hard transition for her as she is not a light packer. But every Sunday when she steps out on the field, Krieger remembers why she continues to work so hard.

“Oh my gosh, it’s unbelievable,” Krieger said. “Performing for 70,000 roaring fans really does just take your breath away, and then you have to quickly catch your breath because you have to keep moving, you have to keep performing. It’s a very, very special experience. And now that I’ve gotten past the first few games where my mind was racing and I had butterflies in my stomach I’ve really been able to take it all in and enjoy it...and of course I’m hoping we make it to the Super Bowl; my fingers are crossed.”

And while her days don’t consist of a lot of lounging time, and some days she barely finds enough time to sleep, Krieger said she is thoroughly enjoying her first season as a New England Patriot and would definitely do it all over again. To those girls who may come from a small town, but have big aspirations, Krieger offers a message.

“Nothing worth achieving ever comes easily,” Krieger said. “It’s so much more satisfying when you’ve worked hard for something rather than when it’s just given to you. There were girls at auditions that I helped that I stayed after auditions with and I helped them really nail the choreography and take it to the next level. It was those girls who were even more thrilled when they made it because they worked that much harder to get there...With dancing, even if you don’t make it past the first cut, just keep your head up because one audition can always lead to another and every audition is going to make you a better dancer. There is just no downside to it in my mind, and if you stick with it, look where you can end up!”

SI.com Features Ole Miss DT Member Stephanie

Sports Illustrated featured Ole Miss Dance Team member Stephanie as cheerleder of the week. Stephanie is highlighted along with other Ole Miss DT members on Si.com. For the full photo gallery,
Click Here

Lewis & Clark Dance Team Kicks Into Public View

by Sean Wilson-Shafer
The Pioneer Log

In its first year, the Lewis & Clark College Dance Team takes on the mission of making dance prominent on campus. Although relatively unestablished, the Dance Team is working hard to get ready for future sporting events and hopefully a show in the spring.

Many students may be confused as to exactly what the Dance Team is.

“The Dance Team is a performance group,” said Catherine Steitzer (’10), a member of the Dance Team. “It’s a student response to the lack of dance opportunities on campus.”

Steitzer and another member of the Dance Team, Mara Pfneisl (’10), both add that the group brings more of a constant and permanent presence of dance to the campus. Before the Dance Team was formed in the Spring of 2008, Dance Extravaganza was the only other dance related outlet on campus. The members of the Dance Team are hoping to carry on the excitement that comes from Dance Extravaganza and keep it going all year long.

The group practices twice a week to get ready for their performances. They are choreographed by Jamie Cassutt (’07), an alumni of LC. Cassutt choreographs and arranges all of the dances and is responsible for the groups overall style.

Pfneisl explains that the team’s style is very jazzy and they are trying to learn “technical dances.” At each practice, they work on these skills and focus on their semester goal of performing at the home football and basketball games. In order to accomplish this, the group always needs space to practice, which according to Kelsey Domann (’11), is a “big challenge.” Domann is in charge of finding practice space for the team and explains that because the team is new, it is hard to become established on campus.

To date, the Dance Team has performed once. They danced at halftime of the LC Homecoming football game to Guns and Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle”. Members of the team explain that the conditions weren’t the best for an inaugural performance.

“Despite the fact that our music was inaudible and the only time it rained that day was the three minutes and 50 seconds we performed, we had an excellent time,” said Domann. “It felt as though we were well received by the student body.”

Energized by the completion of their first performance, the dance team is ready to go back out and make themselves prominent on campus. The next performance will take place at the Nov. 1 game, where they will dance to “Thriller” by Michael Jackson

Besides their next performance, the dance team is excited for what’s to come. They plan to have other performances besides the ones at sporting events; ones that focus on the Dance Team itself. Additionally, they hope in the future to compete against other schools. Besides performances, the group is focused on diversifying their style.

As the team begins to gain prominence, Steitzer wants to tear down any misconceptions.

“We are not cheerleaders,” Steitzer said, “The LC Dance Team is a group of dedicated dancers looking to become established and well-recognized on campus.”

“Right now, dance at LC is an afterthought,” said Pfneisl. “We are looking to change that.”

Dance With The Honeybears On Oct. 25

Dance With The University .f Central Arkansas Honeybears is scheduled from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Oct. 25 at the UCA Prince Center. The cost is $25 per child.

Each child will receive individual instruction from a UCA Honeybear, a T-shirt and snack.

After the clinic, kids are invited to be guests as the Bears take on Southeast Louisiana State at 6 p.m. All little dancers will perform at half-time with the Honeybears.

Send registration form and check to UCA Purple Circle Foundation/Dance Team, P.O. Box 5004, Conway, AR 72035.

For more information, call 499-1719 or go to ucasports.com and click on dance team.

The Cabin.net

Support Randi Bishop and the UK Dance Team in Online Poll

Knoxville, Tenn., Native One of 28 Dance Team Members Nationally in Sideline Spirit Contest

UK senior dance team members, Andolyn Johnson (Left) and Randi Bishop

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Senior dance team member Randi Bishop, a native of Knoxville, Tenn., is in the running for the Athlon Sports Sideline Spirit Contest, with online voting running through Oct. 31.

Bishop, a four-year member of the Wildcat Dance Team, is involved in the online competition, involving 28 dance team members throughout the nation. The competition is split up into four rounds, with each round involving a different set of seven girls, voted on over a three-week period. Bishop's round is currently available for voting, up to 20 times per day, on www.athlonsports.com/spirit.

Fans need to log on and create a free user id in order to support Bishop throughout the competition. After logging on to www.athllonsports.com/spirit, click on "voter sign-up". Once given a screen name and password fans can click on round three, the round where Bishop is currently available for votes.

Bishop, who has helped lead the UK dance team to back-to-back third-place finishes at the Dance Nationals, is representing the Southeastern Conference and the University of Kentucky throughout the competition. One of two seniors on the Wildcat varsity dance team, Bishop joins fellow senior Andolyn Johnson as the leaders of the squad.

Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 31 and the dance team member with the most votes in each round is placed in the final round, also bases on fan voting. As of Wednesday, Oct. 15, Bishop holds a commanding lead in the voting with a total of 11,979 votes, with the second place girl checking in with 7,277 votes.

UI Dance Team Walks Against Breast Cancer

UI dance team, and thousands more, walk against breast cancer
Mike McDonald - The Daily Iowan
Full story at
Daily Iowan.com

CEDAR RAPIDS - For UI dance team member Michele Tangeman, whose aunt died of ovarian cancer, the Especially for You Race on Sunday had personal significance:

"She was my mom's best friend, and it was really hard for all of us," the sophomore biology major said prior to the event. "I will partially be walking for her."

Under a pink-clouded sky, a crowd gathered before a white banner at 8 a.m., ready to begin.

"On your marks. Get set. Go," the PA system rang out.

And so they went - all 10,089 of them - clad in long-sleeved, navy blue shirts adorned with a pink ribbon.

Among them were 19 members of the UI Dance Team, walking and running in the 18th-annual Especially for You Race Against Breast Cancer.

The event raised approximately $300,000 to provide breast-health services for uninsured women in Linn County. Since it began in 1991, Especially for You has generated more than $1 million and served more than 4,000 women.

According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women will contract breast cancer. The disease is expected to kill more than 40,000 women in the United States this year.

UI Dance Team coach Erica Ireland said events such as these allow her squad members to show their colors: black and gold - and pink.

"My girls get so much from the university," the Iowa alumna said. "I think this is a really neat way to give back to the community that's given so much to them."

The dancers are also active participants in an annual show in Cedar Rapids sponsored by a group called Dancers Against Cancer, which raises money for the Especially for You Fund.

Dancers Against Cancer founder Jody Isenhour said she's grateful for the work Ireland and her team have accomplished.

Isenhour, a former dance instructor who couldn't attend the walk, battled and survived cancer three years ago - but lost her hair to chemotherapy.

"Dancers, more than anyone, understand what I went through," she said. "Our hair is part of our costume."

At the UI, two medical experts recently received a three-year, $180,000 grant to study metastasis - the spreading of cancer cells from the primary tumor to other parts of the body. Breast cancer is particularly prone to this, said Frederick Domann, a professor of radiation oncology who mentored grant-recipient Melissa Teoh, a postdoctoral research assistant.

"We need to understand how this process comes about and help prevent it," Domann said.

But Ireland's support comes outside the laboratory.

"Our mission is to go up there and provide spirit for those who are battling breast cancer, in memory of those who have lost the battle and for those who are dealing with the loss of a loved one," she said.

Cal Spirit Groups Deal With Budget Cuts

By Zach Williams
Contributing Writer
The Daily Californian

A strained economy and unversity budget have left UC Berkeley student spirit groups bearing off uneven financial straits leading up to Homecoming 2008.

While some groups like the Cal Dance Team, who perform at athletic events, have smoothly trotted through rough times, others have faced unexpected cuts.

The Student Homecoming Team faced a dire financial situation when its sponsor, the California Alumni Association, slashed funding to $8,000 from last year's $18,000.

Despite the cut, the group exceeded last year's budget through sponsorships from Jostens, Cal State 9 Credit Union and Kaplan, said Roxanne Rajaii, treasurer of the committee.

Carina Wong, communications director for Kaplan, said the company's donation of seven Kaplan courses to be raffled and three to be sold outright with profits going to the homecoming committee was in keeping with the company's "philosophy to help students succeed."

Evan Ettinghoff, student homecoming chair, said that since the committee's 2003 establishment, such forms of corporate sponsorship are not atypical.

Cal Dance, which is funded through the athletic department, has faced no difficulties during a time of financial adversity for others, according to the team's advisor, Diane Milano. She stressed that Cal Dance still travels to away football games.

Performance requests, which partially fund the team, have increased this year.

Zach Wong, the director of public relations for the UC Berkeley Rally Committee, expressed similar sentiments for his group when asked whether the current economy has affected committee activities.

"Personally everything (in the publicity budget) ... is paid for by the ASUC," he said.

Last year the group received $33, 062.69 in the 2008-2009 ASUC budget, an amount consistent with its allocation in recent years.

The University of California Marching Band, though, has suffered from university-wide budget cuts this year.

Band Director Robert Calonico said that a 7 percent cut to his budget this year, the defeat of a referendum last year in support of UC Berkeley's music groups and rising gas prices have caused the band to restrict its traveling schedule this year.

"(It's) the first time in my tenure that the budget fell short of the funds available (the band) has increased in size, but funding has steadily declined in recent years," he said.

The financial difficulties of the marching band have been assuaged by an endowment left by Natalie Cohen, class of 1934. The endowment provides the group with $25,000 annually.

"It was very generous to get a portion (of Cohen's $3 million donation to the chancellor's office), but we still have a shortfall and have to dip into reserves as much as we can," elaborated Calonico.

Efforts include asking students to pay a quarter of their own traveling expenses to attend two away games this season. The Straw Hat Band will miss an away game for the first time in its director's tenure.

Homecoming will be fully funded for all student spirit groups this year, but the contingents of the Cal Band that have stood at the sidelines supporting the Bears throughout seasons past will not be keeping up their usual appearances.

"It hurts ... and is frustrating because students really like going and supporting the university," said Tara Castro, director of public relations for the band.

ASU A-Team Member Faces Cancer

Sep 19, 2008
KAIT8.com

JONESBORO, AR (KAIT) - For the Homecoming game Saturday, you'll notice the girls of the A-Team wearing lime green ribbons as they raise awareness for Lymphoma, a type of cancer. While these girls are supposed to be the most energetic ones on the field, one of their members can hardly get out of bed in the morning.

Jordan Farris, a Nettleton High School graduate, is just like any other girl... She works part time, she's a freshman in college, and she's dreamed of being on the Arkansas State Dance Team.

But in August, Jordan felt a lump in her neck and after talking with her mother and doctor her life was suddenly altered.

Jordan was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. On Wednesday, August 27th, the doctor said the dreaded word "cancer", and by Friday, they were removing the lump from her neck. After a CT scan, they realized there was a mass in her chest.

The doctor gave Jordan a 60-70% cure rate over the next five years and told her she would need chemo and radiation.

Jordan has chemo once every two weeks and that on top of her diagnosis has started to change even the easiest tasks. Jordan says the chemo part isn't so bad, it's the days that follow that she dreads.

"Your whole body is sore and run down and you feel like you have a fever but you don't and it's so frustrating, and then that wears off and you're not nauseas anymore. But you're just so tired, and fatigued and it's a kind of fatigue that you just feel helpless, you can't control. I'm ready for anything, give me chemo give me radiation, but no hair... I have not accepted that."

But Jordan doesn't let this keep her down. She's still going to class, she's still working, and she's still on the A-team...and she's still living her life.

" I live each day for that day but I look forward to tomorrow so much more. I didn't expect it, I didn't plan for it, but now it's my plan. I wasn't going to inspire people till I became the English professor, but now I get to inspire in a different way."

Jordan is so exhausted now, that she can no longer do the dances with the A-Team, but she does do their sideline routines and makes every practice.

As you head out to Homecoming, remember those lime green ribbons, and remember Jordan Farris.

A website has been set up so friends and family can keep in touch with Jordan and her condition.

If you would like to send Jordan a message or share your story with her, log onto the Caring Bridge website.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jordanfarris

'Dance Team’ Has New Name, Success Ensues

September 12, 2008
By Stephanie Calhoun
CUA Tower
Full Story at
http://www.cuatower.com/2008/09/12/‘dance-team’-has-new-name-success-ensues/

After a record-breaking audition turnout this year, Catholic University’s Dance Team is ready to start an all new year with an all new name.

Captain Crissy Rentas, Junior Biomedical Engineering major, credits the name change from ‘Urban Dance Team’ to simply ‘Dance Team’as a contributing factor to the high level of auditions. “This year, when we advertised for tryouts, we changed the name to Catholic Univerisity Dance Team and the result was that about 30 girls showed up to try out. Last year, only about 15 girls showed up for fall tryouts,” says Rentas.”Overall, I feel the name change was a positive step in identifying who we are as a team and what we stand for. ”

And what it is it that the former Urban Dance Team stands for? “When these people heard the word “urban”, they assumed we were a step team or a break dancing team. A father of one of the girls on the team even joked with us referring to us as, ‘The Suburban Dance Team” said Rentas. She explained, however, that “Our team is made of girls from several different dance backgrounds, some without any dance background at all.”

One thing that isn’t changing is what the dance team does. The team of 19 performs hip-hop style routines at many of the home football and basketball games, as well as special events on campus such as Luaupalooza and the FOCUS culture show. Their first performance this year will be during halftime of the September 20th football game at the Duf against McDaniel.
Rentas anticipates that this year’s team will be a successful one. “We find that it’s a way to relax,” says Rentas. “You get to be surrounded by girls who love to do what you do.”

B-Y-E to FAU DTC

Head Coach Dyanne Loput of the FAU Dance Team has moved on to accept a position with the Miami Heat. Ms. Loput has been a great contributer to the College Dance Team Central blog for a long time, and although we'll miss her contributions, CDTC wishes her the best of luck. Below is a Sun Sentinel posting by Ted Hutton about "DTC." CDTC looks forward to following her career in the NBA!

Sun Sentinel.com
By Ted Hutton

Dawn breaks on this new week in Owl Country with rather depressing news. Well, it is uplifting in a way, but a downer for us DT loyalists.

We escaped Fay, but we did not escape this tragedy: DTC is moving on.

Yes, our beloved DTC has used FAU as a stepping stone to greater things, and has been hired as an assistant coach of the Miami Heat dancers.

Yes, those Heat dancers, the ones consistently voted near or at the top of the NBA.

Here is DTC (Dyanne Loput) at FanFest, with one of those Heat dancers, who used to be on the DT.

DTC did not sprain her ankle in Dallas, turns out she broke it, which is why she has the boot on and is still limited.

Anyway, this is a great move for DTC, and well deserved.

As you can imagine, this news has had yours truly reaching for the Xanax AND bourbon, and the result has not raised me out of my funk and I wouldn’t recommend it.

The DT without DTC? Why, that is like me without Howard Bobble Head Doll. Wait, I am without HBHD, but that is another story. It is like the FAU offense without coordinator Gary Nord, like FAU without Little Big Man, like Cheerios without milk, like, well, you get the idea.

DTC took the DT and turned it into what it is. And I don’t have to tell fans what that is. Just the greatest DT in the land. But you all know that.

She used her own money and hours of unpaid time to create what fans have enjoyed – great outfits, great routines, and great DT members. Those girls don’t just look good but are great people.

I would go on but I’m afraid the tears springing from my eyes may drown my keyboard. Here, then, is a short compilation of reasons why we love DTC and why it is so painful to say goodbye, even though she is going on to greater things.

DTC will be with the DT until they find a replacement.

The DTC name is officially being retired, since there will never be another DTC.

Best of luck, DTC. And stay in touch.

I know it won’t work, but folks, can you try and convince DTC to stay?

I will start…

Because the Heat dancers are professionals, and the DT are college students, and you can still influence their lives and help shape their spirits and souls.

Because the Heat stinks and FAU is going to have a great season and you really should be a part of it.

Because at FAU you are the big fish in a small pond, where with the Heat you are a cog in the huge machine. Of course, you will get paid more and have a huge budget and not have to use your own money for their outfits, but…

Because…, well, help me out, folks.

College OTR Ranks Top 5 College Dance Teams

By Lady Scarlet (Chief Contributor)
College On The Record

College dance teams are popping up everywhere on television, the Texas State Strutters were seen on America's Got Talent and the Rutgers University dance team, SassX7, got booted off of America's Next Dance Crew. In honor of dance teams bringing spunk to scripted reality, we've created a Top 5 List.

Here’s a fresh crop of dance starlets who have more than spirit fingers to work with.

5. The UNC- Chapel Hill Dance Team
This dance team has an impeccable reputation on the, er, dance floor. Consistently placing in the top five rankings at the NDA/NCA Collegiate Championships, which is no surprise since the team meticulously screens potential dancers for ability, determination, agility, and overall attractiveness.

4. Brigham Young University, Cougarettes
Um, yes you’re seeing Brigham Young University here. Apparently, Mormons are allowed to wear short skirts when it’s for purposes of dance competitions only. It’s somewhere in the Latter-Day Saints code, we swear. Pushing aside all the Mormon jabs, the team is serious about dancing, taking the #1 spot at the 2007 championships.

3. Duke University, Dancing Devils
When it comes to dancing, the Dancing Devils are always ready to make it hot. A favorite of sports fans and dance team groupies, they always have a solid following. We will try not to imply that it’s because of the skin tight blue attire.

2. Miami University, Redhawks
Residing in Oxford, Ohio, it's easy to bring intensity to dance. Keeping up with the rest of the collegiate dance scene, the Redhawks must always be in shape. Besides having seriously toned bodies, the team is original and fun to watch.

1. University of Louisville, Lady Birds
In it to win it at all times, the Lady Birds take the title almost every year. They have never slipped out of the top five, ever. Over the past decade, people have just been waiting for their stellar coach to keel over. Till then, they will continue to dominate every collegiate dance competition out there.

Dancer Universe: Should Dance Be Considered a Sport in School?

Dancer Universe My Dance Place Blog

It is the middle of summer. That means that your dance studio is winding down your year. Either you are at Nationals now, will be soon, or you already competed, and are going home. You may have a few weeks off before your fall classes start. Or, if you coach, or are affiliated with a high school, middle school, or college dance team, camps are going on right now and your teams may restart some time in the fall.

Being a member of a competitive dance team, either with a studio or school, is a lot of very hard work. It involves conditioning, basic drills and lots and lots of practicing. The academic world has been debating the sport versus activity controversy for years, in various states.

I am very curious as to how you ALL feel about this issue!

As with most hot issues, there are two sides. It is not just an argument about whether dancing is as athletic as, lets say-football or basketball, but there are many other things to consider. Costuming sometimes is discussed, along with questions about judging versus scoring points.

Anyone associated with competitive dance teams know that serious, competitive dancers are very well trained, are extremely athletic, and are probably in as good condition as their varsity football players, if not in better condition. The girls are as fit as the boys. Then why argue about if dance is a sport or an activity?

There are a lot of funding issues that came along with Title IX. Back in 1972, this law was finally enacted that addressed the inequality in sports. Back in the olden days, when I was in high school, there were no opportunities for me, to play real sports in school. The only option was intramural basketball, for a few weeks during the winter. Not much to get excited about, especially when us girls were limited to half of the court, I guess so we would not overly exert ourselves. Afterall, we did not have any fainting couches! Excuse the sarcasm, but wow, what was THAT all about?

Finally it is illegal to spend more money on boys sports than for girls sports. I assume it took several decades before this could become a reality, as programs had to be started, coaches that had sports experience had to be hired, and soccer fields, basketball courts and gymnasiums had to be scheduled for both the boys and girls seasons.

Many women, and men, worried that if dance were considered a sport, maybe the funding would not go to support girls hockey or lacrosse or another favorite sport.

Funding by school boards is also a point of contention. Some schools do not allow fund-raising at all. Because they are considered a sport, they are budgeted new uniforms only once every 7 years, for example, as the football team. Because dance is really more like Olympic ice skating, where the look of the performance is a part of the scoring, how do you feel about wearing the same thing for 7 years? This is one of the arguments against putting dance team in the sports category.

In Minnesota, several years ago, the emphasis was placed on promoting athletic-styled uniforms rather than frilly, sequin and beaded costumes. It was a visual attempt to support the push for moving dance team to sports status. Dance team still does not have full sports status-I am not sure why. But it is very close. And now, more than before, anything goes in our costuming, except for not much has changed in keeping the dancers covered from necks to thighs. So much for athletic-looking uniforms!

Satin Stitches belongs to many different high school dance team state organizations. The best part of this, is that we are kept informed about all the discussions in regards to this issue. An additional topic that is related to this, is the discussion on new costume or uniform rules, and what might change.

Other states have also struggled with deciding if their dance teams should have full sports status or not.

I want to hear what EVERYONE thinks about this issue!

Ladies and gentlemen-let the blogging begin!

Former LSU Golden Girl Melanie Hebert

WDSU.com

NEW ORLEANS -- Melanie is proud to call New Orleans home and happy to help her neighbors begin their day informed, as co-anchor of "NewsChannel 6 This Morning."

"It's a rare privilege in this industry to land a job anchoring in your hometown," Melanie said. "When I visited WDSU for the first time the general manager said 'welcome home,' and I just knew it was the right time to come home."

Melanie grew up in Marrero and attended Dominican High School and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. Upon graduation, she earned her Tiger stripes at LSU, where Melanie received a degree in Mass Communication with a concentration in Broadcast Journalism -- and put her love of dance to new use as captain of the school's "Golden Girls" dance team. In 2001 Melanie was also crowned LSU's Homecoming Queen.

She began her television career in Los Angeles at the nationally-syndicated entertainment news magazine "Extra" before she joined WVLA, the NBC affiliate in Baton Rouge, as a news anchor, reporter and host of a weekly public affairs program. There, she covered major stories, including the landfall and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the trial of serial killer Derrick Todd Lee. Hebert also created and hosted two specials on the "Miss Teen USA" pageant and launched a two-week Olympic special, "From Baton Rouge to Athens," serving as Executive Producer and co-anchor.

Melanie moved back to Southern California in late 2005 to anchor the morning and noon newscasts at KESQ in Palm Springs, where her morning news team earned an Emmy Award for its coverage of the devastating wildfires. She also broke the story of a real estate scam that victimized dozens of people -- some for as much as $40,000. Melanie returned to New Orleans on assignment, to produce a week-long series on the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. While pursuing a secondary degree in Spanish, she followed stories beyond the U.S. border -- investigating Mexican dental businesses and producing an undercover report on black market pharmacies.

Wherever she has lived, Melanie has been highly involved in her community. Her passion for the arts has led her to serve as Director of Publicity for the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre and as a member of the Louisiana Alliance for Dance. Melanie has hosted the Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon and has worked with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the United Way and the Louisiana Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association, of which she was a founding member.

Sass x7 Rutgers Dance Team Interview

Exclusive Interview with Sass x7 from 'America's Best Dance Crew'
BuddyTV.com

From the beginning, the judges on America's Best Dance Crew seemed biased against Sass x7. It wasn't because they were the only all-female crew, but the fact that their background was from being on the Rutgers dance squad. On a show featuring mostly hip hop crews and dances, the slightly cheerleader-esque moves and routines of Sass x7 fought an uphill battle to get respect.

The New Jersey crew was eliminated in last night's second episode. BuddyTV spoke to Julia Swartz, one of the members of Sass x7, to talk about her experience on the show. Julia talked about how it was MTV that approached them about being on the show, the struggles fighting off the cheerleader image, and her fondness for the Fat Darrell. If you want to know what that means, continue reading for the highlights as well as the mp3 audio file to listen to the interview.

-Initially, producers from America's Best Dance Crew contacted the coach of the Rutgers University dance team to inquire about selecting several members to form a crew for this season of the show. The seven women were chosen and still had to go through the regular audition process.

-In light of this, Julia was somewhat perplexed by the judges' constant criticism of their style as being like a group of cheerleaders since the show sought them out. Still, Sass x7 was hopeful to prove they weren't a bunch of cheerleaders, and were excited by the opportunity to mimic the Britney Spears video so they could show off some smoother, more versatile skills.

-For the future, three members of Sass x7 will return to Rutgers to finish up their education and keep working on the dance team in the fall, while the other four are hopeful in pursuing dance careers. Several of them will likely try out for the dance team of the New Jersey Nets, while careers in Broadway or Los Angeles are also on the table.

-Finally, Julie revealed that, though she's obviously thin and athletic, even she has succumbed to the wonder of the Rutgers Grease Trucks. For those who aren't lucky enough to have visited this glorious landmark of Americana, the Grease Trucks are an arrangement of mobile eateries serving delicious “Fat” sandwiches that consist of every imaginable food being thrown onto a hoagie roll.

Julia said her favorite is the gold standard of Fat sandwiches, the Fat Darrell, a combination of chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, French fries and marinara sauce. Having grown up just 30 minutes from Rutgers, I have actually had the pleasure of eating a Fat Darrell myself and can personally attest to its greatness.

Red Hots are National Champs

By Chris Walsh
The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA – The Valdosta State University Red Hots are halfway between winning their National Championship and getting ready for their next performance, but they feel as excited as ever for the start of the new football season.

“The past few years have really taken off for them and now they’re asked to do everything,” said Kelli Fields, coach of the Red Hots dance team. “We have 19 girls on the team, seven more than last year, from all over Georgia.”

The Red Hots can be seen at every Valdosta State football and basketball game. They can also be seen all over town, at pep rallies, fundraisers, and anything else they can fit in their schedule.

“Every year there’s something else they’re asked to do,” said Fields. “They are at the Blazer Walk, Hospitality House, dancing at VSU visitation days, and holding dance camps twice a year.”

The Red Hots, who have technically been around since 1995, just finished their second year of competitive dance. And how else would a VSU team do in a National tournament, but win it all.

The dance team led the whole weekend and came out victorious over nine other teams from all over the nation to win the NDA title.

“There was moments we thought we would win, and moments we thought we wouldn’t, but it was a big relief when they called our score,” said Brittany Lord, who has been with the team for three years.

“We were up to 1 a.m. the night before practicing and then had to get up at 5 a.m., but we did it.”

Lord is one of the many girls on the team that have watched it grow from more of a club team to an actually National competitor.

“I’ve been dancing since I was three, so it’s just a part of me,” said Lord. “That’s really why I came here, nobody else in Georgia has as good of a team.”

Another veteran on the squad is Julia Hughes, who has been with the Red Hots for four years. She is also called by her teammates the biggest VSU Blazers fan around.

“I always danced in high school with teams and in a studio, so it just felt weird not to be dancing in college,” said Hughes, who was also named the team’s MVP this year.

“It’s really cool. Every year we get new girls and new strengths we can progress on.”

For all the girls on the team the story is the same, they do it for fun and because of their love of dance. They practice three days a week, for two hours each time just for the fun of it, but winning it all was nice.

“They don’t get scholarships and they don’t get paid,” said Fields. “So to be rewarded like that is validation for them putting in all the hard work and time.”

The dance team will return at the first VSU football game and they will be bringing even more to their shows this season.

“There will be new and exciting routines and new uniforms,” said Fields. “We will also have a clinic for high school and college girls thinking about trying out next year.”

To view the National Championship winning dance routines go to www.varsitywired.com.

Feature On CSUN Dancer

Antioch native dances into pop culture
By Jennifer Birkland
Brentwood Press

Antioch’s Tiffani Grant is no stranger to the stage. A dancer since age 8, she climbed the ranks in the distinguished Deer Valley High School dance program before graduating in 2004, is currently a member of the Cal State Northridge dance team, and is a working actor.

But recently, the 21-year-old danced her way onto the biggest stage of her career, landing a spot on the hit MTV series “Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew 2.” She and her seven-person hip hop dance troop “Fanny Pak” are one of 10 crews from around the country vying for the title of “America’s Best Dance Crew” and a $100,000 cash prize.
Each week, crews battle it out live at Warner Brothers’ Studios in an effort to win over judges and the American public, whose votes decide who stays and who goes.

Grant, who majors in kinesiology at Cal State Northridge, is unavailable for comment until the show ends or her crew is eliminated. Every Thursday night her family and friends gather to watch her compete.

“It’s been so thrilling to watch her on TV,” said Grant’s mother, Dena. “She’s been working so hard for so long and it’s just great to see it all pay off. I’m so happy she’s living out her dream.”

Grant and her fellow Fanny Pak-ers met while taking dance classes together in Southern California and it wasn’t long before they were choreographing their own routines. Sporting their signature accessory, the fanny pack, and bright ’80s-style clothes, the dancers’ unique hip-hop style caught the attention of the judges, who selected their crew out of hundreds that auditioned.

In the show’s first episode, Fanny Pak found itself in the bottom two crews, in danger of elimination, but was spared by the judges.

To prevent another close-call, Grant’s family and friends are voting as often as possible once the live show ends.

In support of Grant, who choreographs all of her crew’s routines, the Deer Valley High School cheerleaders are enlisting the help of students to call, text or go online to vote for Fanny Pak.

“America’s Best Dance Crew 2” airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. on MTV. To vote or for more information about the show, visit www.mtv.com.

Rutgers Alums and Students to Appear on America’s Best Dance Crew

ScarletKnights.com

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Seven former and current members of the Rutgers Dance Team have been selected to compete on the second season of Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew, which premieres on Thursday, June 19th at 10pm ET on MTV.

Dance crews from across the country will showcase their fancy footwork for the opportunity of a lifetime, with a cash prize of $100,000 awarded to the winning dance crew. The competition is fierce and the stakes are high as the crews battle it out live onstage for dance supremacy. Each week they'll step up to the challenge and show off their skills, and each week one crew will be eliminated until America's Best Dance Crew is revealed. Viewers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite teams each week to determine who stays and who goes home.

The group from Rutgers will be competing as "Sass x 7", and will choreograph their own routines each week. Team members include recent Class of 2008 graduates Julie Swartz, Mandee Cilento, Felicia Rembert and Dominique Conti, as well as current Rutgers Dance Team members Lindsay Ritter, Becca Lee and Madeleine Camacho.

For information on the show and to see Sass x 7's performance from the June 10th casting special, visit www.mtv.com and click on America's Best Dance Crew under the "Shows" menu.

Be sure to watch each week and cast your votes for Sass x 7!

Officials Say Cheer's Merge a Result Of Safety Concerns

by Allison Denny
Photo by Jeffrey Lowman / THE STATE PRESS
ASU Web Devil

Amid athletic cuts, members of ASU's former 15-member, co-ed cheer squad blame its merge with the school's dance team on money, not safety concerns cited by ASU officials.

The merge follows a nationwide trend in high schools, colleges and universities to eliminate stunting and tumbling because of safety concerns said Mark Brand, associate athletic director for communications.

"We've had cheerleaders, and we've seen cheerleaders — male and female — around the country get hurt recently, and we can't take that chance," Brand said.

According to the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors, 64 cheerleaders at the high school or college level sustained fatal, catastrophic or serious injury between 1982 and 2005. In the same time period, 698 high school and college football players sustained the same kind of injuries.

Under the new arrangement, the cheer team has been merged with the dance team, creating the new Sun Devil Spirit Squad.

The squad will fall under the control of Director of Athletic Bands Jim Hudson, instead of the athletic department like cheer did, Brand said. Formerly Hudson only controlled the marching band and dance team.

Hudson was brought over from Iowa State two years ago to lead the marching band, Brand said, and it became clear that moving band, dance and cheer under his jurisdiction would best serve the school.

"It just made sense for all of the cheer atmosphere, all of the spirit atmosphere … to be under one person so you could collaborate and make the fan experience the best we can make it," Brand said.

Secondary education senior and former cheer captain Brianna Barcelo said many schools are following in the footsteps of the USC, whose Song Leaders dance instead of cheer, eliminating potentially dangerous stunt and tumble moves.

"All over the nation, they're putting stops on cheer at all different levels," Barcelo said. "It is more risky, but it's also changed a lot."

Coaches and cheerleaders are highly trained, though, and accidents aren't commonplace, Barcelo said.

"Our coach is amazing. She would definitely not let us do anything we weren't able to do," she said. "We know all the precautions we have to do to make it safe for us."

Last year stunting was cut but the cheerleaders slowly fought against the athletic department to bring it back, Barcelo said.

"I guess in a way it's almost an every year battle," she said. "I worked my butt off to be able to be on cheer. Now it just kind of sucks.

"It's my senior year and I won't be able to do it again."

Barcelo said it was clear that the merge had to do with money when ASU announced just weeks later that wrestling, men's swimming and men's tennis would be cut.

Wrestling has since been reinstated after the team came up with an $8 million endowment.

Right around the time the merge was announced, a picture of former and current ASU cheerleaders in their bras and underwear was posted to TheDirty.com, a gossip Web site that reports on 40 cities and 24 universities around the country, according to its Web site.

Barcelo said the pictures on The Dirty had nothing to do with the merge.

"The news finds anything to focus it on and blame," Barcelo said. "It was the media that made [those rumors] up, pretty much."

Brand said ASU officials told the cheer team about the merge on a Tuesday night and didn't know about the pictures until the next day.

Because the pictures came out around the same time as the announcement, Brand said people assumed one caused the other, but the move was in the panning stages for a long time and the two incidents are unrelated.

"There was nothing that led to a snap decision," Brand said. "It had nothing to do with money. It had nothing to do with Internet pictures. That was a total coincidence."

Elementary education senior Katelyn Jones was on the cheer team for three years and said ASU's safety concerns over stunting and tumbling are a cover-up.

"It was all just about money," she said.

The team learned about the merge just 10 days before tryouts, Jones said, and the cheerleaders were never asked their opinion or given any advance notice that the merge might happen.

"It's just very upsetting and very discouraging that they came and took it away from us with no warning and no notice," Jones said.

Still, all the cheerleaders were encouraged to try out for the new squad, she said.

"We were all upset and angry but took their word and took a shot," she said. "Marketing had implied that [we] would make it."

Of the 15 cheerleaders — most of whom tried out for the new squad — only three made it, Jones said.

Brand said no such promises were made, though.

"The cheerleaders, male or female, had to try out year after year," he said. "No one was told that they were going to make it."

Jones said she came to ASU for cheerleading.

"For it to be gone is really upsetting," she said. "That's all I know. It's my passion. It was a challenge for me. It meant everything to me."

Jones said she tried out for the new squad but didn't make it.

"It'll be a different experience sitting in the student section," she said.

Porzondek Named New Oakland Dance Coach

OUGrizzlies.com

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Oakland University has brought back a familiar face with the naming of Sara Porzondek as head coach of Images, the university dance team. She had been a member of Images from 1997-2001.

As a senior, she served as team captain and helped the squad to a runner-up finish at the UDA Nationals. Porzondek is set to begin her duties immediately.

From April 2001 to September 2007, Porzondek was the dance team coach at Rochester High School. Among her duties were choreographing and teaching dance routines for school games and competitions, organizing various fundraising operations and managing team funds. Twice she has been a member of dance teams for professional sports teams in Detroit. She was a member of Automotion for the Detroit Pistons (2001-03) and of The Spark for the Detroit Ignition soccer team (2006-07). Since July 2007, she has been the owner and director of Sara's Dance Academy in Macomb.

Porzondek has a B.A. in English with minors in Communication and Sociology from Oakland. She currently resides in Sterling Heights.

ASU Combines Dance Team, Cheerleaders

By Jason P. Skoda
The Arizona Republic

The sidelines at Arizona State athletic events are going to have a new look in the fall.

The traditional cheerleader squad and the dance team have morphed into the "spirit squad."

The move was made in conjunction with the decision to switch the cheerleading squad from the marketing department's advisement to being handled by the marching band.

"We took our two spirit groups and combined them," said Steve Hank, an associate athletic director in the marketing department. "We will roughly have the same number of (performers) on the field as we did in years past."

Hank also said one of the reasons for the change was the danger involved in the stunting and tumbling aspects of cheerleading.

The decision was made on May 10, and Hank said it had nothing to do with racy photos of former ASU cheerleaders on a Web site, as has been rumored. He also said that there is no link between the shuffling of the cheer squad and the three men's sports that were cut last week.

Most of the cheerleaders felt much like the athletes who lost their programs - that they were blindsided by the decision and left little time to make plans, one former cheerleader said.

They were told about the decision nine days before the tryout for the new spirit squad.

"We did everything for the university," said freshman Kendall Conedera. "We went to every game, every function and every single event, and to be treated like this, with no clear explanation, and absolutely no notice is ridiculous."

Conedera said about eight cheerleaders, including her, tried out for the spirit squad and three upperclassmen made it.

"I think it was extremely unfair," she said. "We were given nine days to get ready for something that has nothing to do with cheerleading."

The Beauty of Motion: a Midwest Conference for Women

The Wilkins Studios at the St. Paul River Center, Minnesota
May 17 - 18, 2008

Online Registration is Now Available!

The MISSION:
Connecting active women for a health-centered, inspiring, and educational workshop.

The VISION:
An event that challenges women to fully embrace their love of dance, artistic movement, fitness, beauty and personal growth.

The EXPERIENCE:
A retreat-like environment providing time to reflect, relax, rejuvenate, and most importantly, MOVE!

The COURSE:
Participants will have their choice of four course offerings per hour.

One will be high-level dance instruction of various styles to include jazz, modern, tap, lyrical, and more taught by top-notch choreographers and instructors.

The second room will also offer dance instruction, but this room will be geared toward less-than-elite level dancers, former dancers, or just those that are a dancer at heart but never had the chance to receive formal training. Still top-notch instructors and choreography, but without the high-level skills of room one!

The third room will offer a mix of active fitness classes. Get a workout or just observe and take notes! Offerings will include yoga, pilates, injury prevention for dancers, bellydancing, core conditioning, flexibility development and more!

The last room will be entirely lecture-based and will include presenters on topics relevant to active women. Lectures include make-up application for stage, every day hair and make-up makeovers, starting a small business, writing a personal or business mission statement, skincare, motivation for yourself and for your team, nutrition, and more!

Undoubtedly, there will be something for you! Move your body all day or get inspired by lectures, or combine the two to create your ideal retreat. Take on hour off to shop our exhibitors expo! Treat yourself to a weekend of fun…for yourself and for the love of dance!

Visit www.thebeautyofmotion.com for more information (including featured instructors), and to register NOW!

Towson Dance Team Takes Home National Title Again

By Ron Matz
WJZ.com

Ron Matz reports it's the 10th year in a row the young women have taken home the National Championship Division I title.

TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) ― They're celebrating at Towson University. The school's amazing dance team has won another championship.

They are a dynasty of dance and they're champions again. The York Road campus is buzzing with excitement.

Twenty-seven young women star on the Towson University Dance Team.

"I absolutely love it. I love the girls, they're awesome. It's great competing and winning with your best friends, being out there all on the same team," said Jenna Standifer.

Coach Tom Cascella is beaming with pride. His team just brought home the first place trophy from the National Championship Division 1 competition in Daytona Beach.

Towson is now the target in the dance duel at Daytona.

The dance team practices at Stephens Hall. It's a grueling schedule that includes even hours on the weekends.

"It's very demanding. We rehearse two nights during the week and seven hours on the weekend. In addition to that, they all go into the studio on their days off to work on their technique, or go to the gym to work on their aerobics," said Cascella.

The Towson University Dance Team was the top seed in the competition. They defeated more than 150 other schools to bring home the championship.

CU Express Coach Makes Denver Broncos Squad

Morgan alum reaches her ultimate Broncos goal

“It (Broncos interview) was the most nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever done.”

By R.B. HEADLEY
Fort Morgan Times

The pain in Liz Harris’ neck wasn’t even connected to the 20 Denver Broncos judges who were probing her football knowledge with John Lynch-like intensity.

“I was practicing my dance routine a few days before and jammed my neck,” the 2000 Fort Morgan High School alumnus revealed. “I twisted a vertebrae, so I had to go visit the chiropractor before I went back for the tryout.”

Ouch. Not a good sign considering this former Mustang state medal-winning gymnast had already failed one year earlier in her first attempt to make the Broncos cheerleading squad.

Plus, at age 26, Robert and Teri Harris’ daughter was also admittedly one of the oldest among more than 200 dancers competing for the 34 roster spots.

“It’s not something you can do forever,” she said. “At some point, you do get too old.”

Yet Liz never surrendered a goal that began “when dad started taking me to Broncos games around age 9.” The family purchased season tickets right near Mile High Stadium’s 20-yard line, exactly where Liz could closely observe what was then a brand-new cheerleading/dance team.

Meanwhile — and perhaps just as importantly — she became equally interested in what was happening on the gridiron. Liz loved all the names from John Elway to Jake Plummer to especially...

“Karl Mecklenburg (former Pro Bowl linebacker). I was a big fan of him, and I think it was mainly because of the way the (public address) announcer said his name,” she recalled.

This football knowledge played a huge role in “the most nerve-wracking thing” she’s ever done. Performing before 70,000 fans was no sweat, because Liz danced for and now coaches the University of Colorado’s “CU Express” team.

However, standing still while being questioned easily became the most stressful part of this spring’s Broncos cheerleading tryouts.

“You get dressed in a business suit, go in on Sunday and stand before those 20 judges,” Liz explained. “They ask you personal questions, football questions and you have to know the Broncos roster. They asked me to name one tight end, and I knew three: Tony Scheffler, Daniel Graham and Nate Jackson.”

In other words, Liz basically “aced” this exam like Elway dominated his final Super Bowl appearance. She credited all those Broncos games plus current boyfriend Reid Kahl, another 2000 Mustang alum who now coaches the Wheat Ridge High School football team.

“Oh yeah, we’ve been known to have the NFL Network on all day,” she said.

But while Liz enjoys football, she was truly delighted about resuming her number one reason to take on the weeklong Broncos tryout process.

“I was just thankful I could get my dance clothes back on and do what I do best,” the Arvada-based hairstylist revealed.

A “Staying Alive” theme developed as 200 prospects were cut to 100, then 69, then down to small groups of three. Contenders must learn a specific dance as judges observe every technique including kicks, splits and pirouettes.

Finalists then perform their own creative dances that “showcase” their specific talents.

“After you’re done, they (the judges) tell you ‘we’ll be back in 20 minutes,’” Liz said. “But it’s more like an hour and a half.”

That’s a time when Liz could focus on other good Fort Morgan friends like “old” buddy Kollette Klassen. Kollette’s pursuing other life goals after spending the past few seasons as a Broncos cheerleader, but that will never break a bond that began during their Morgan elementary school days.

“She (Klassen) has been my best friend for 19 years,” Liz explained. “And she’s helped me so much through this journey. Most don’t make the (Broncos cheerleading) team their first year, and Kollette encouraged me to try again. Plus she’s such a calming influence — whenever I look at her, my nervousness just goes away.”

So a nearly 90-minute wait was no problem, especially when Liz received the long-awaited good news on this Sunday, April 6:

She’d earned her spot on this year’s Denver Broncos cheerleading team.

That’s three recent Bronco cheerleaders who’ve owned Fort Morgan ties: Liz, Kollette and Morgan resident Emily Harper. Harper has also decided to pursue other activities this fall.

Both the fun and hard work are still ahead for Liz. Practices begin in June and there’s a weeklong trip for the annual cheerleader calendar photo shoot.

Liz will continue to coach the CU Express dance team while traveling throughout the Denver area for her full-time hairstyling profession. She also spends one day each week working with Call’s Wheat Ridge team on strength, flexibility and agility.

Don’t forget the many hours of community events involving the Broncos cheerleading team.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the Broncos juniors cheerleaders, and hopefully being a good influence for them,” she said. “It is a lot of work. You never sit down on (Broncos) game days. You’re constantly on the go.”

Liz also mentioned that her travels include one day a week of hairstyling work in Fort Morgan. Those interested can contact her at (303) 768-6910.

The New Paltz Dance Team

By Pierce Lydon, Copy Editor
The New Paltz Oracle

It’s pretty fair to say the people love to dance. You dance at the bar. You dance at parties. You probably even dance by yourself in your room to your favorite songs. Well, if you really love to dance then have we got a club for you!

The New Paltz Dance Team has been an active organization for over two years but just recently became recognized by the Student Association. They originally began as a kickline team but as new members became the leaders of the club, their focus shifted a bit.

“We, as a team, have begun to change our focus to more of a dance background, establish more performances throughout the year and collaborate with many of the other groups on campus,” said Captain Beth Frank. “With these new, fantastic changes, we decided to change our name to New Paltz Dance Team to celebrate and specify our growth.”

With their new name and new drive, the team decided to become a part of the Student Association family. They wanted to be recognized on campus and saw the Student Association (SA) as a great networking tool for future collaborations with other clubs, as well as a forum for their ideas and fundraising projects. Joining SA made it easier for them to achieve what they couldn’t while they were an outside organization.

But what if your passion and love of dance exceeds your actual talent? No worries! The New Paltz Dance Team is very open to new recruits from the most experienced dancers to ones that are just starting out. Even the current team has people from all sorts of backgrounds.

“Some of the team members have never danced before while other members have been training their whole lives,” said Frank. “I love that the dance team brings people together, challenges people to do what they thought they never could.”

The New Paltz Dance Team has been very busy this semester. They performed at Fresh Dance, a completely student run dance concert and they perform at halftime for both Men’s and Women’s basketball games. In addition, they dedicate approximately six hours to practice every week.

You can see this hard-working club in action on Thursday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. at an event called Dance Fusion at the Elting Gym. The show will consist of many different organizations performing many different styles of dance. The New Paltz Dance Team will be performing everything from ballet to jazz and kickline. Shades will be performing some step and Culture Shock Dance Troupe will perform hip-hop dances. Fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon will be putting on a ballroom dance and Alpha Psi Ecdysia will debut their burlesque dance group. These groups have teamed with the Sexy Pitches, who will be singing during the performance. Plus, 50 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, a cause that is very close to some of the performers.

Next year, you can expect even more activity from the New Paltz Dance Team as members of the Student Association. They will still be doing the basketball games and Fresh Dance, but are open to new events and can’t wait for next year.

“We are always up for new performances, especially ones that support a charity or a good cause,” said Frank. “We have a really strong team this year and we can’t wait for auditions again next year!”

If you’d like more information about the New Paltz Dance Team you can contact Beth Frank or check out the New Paltz Dance Team Facebook group.

Dancer Gets 'Golden' Chance At Next Level

By Chrissy Smith
The Daily News Online

FRANKLINTON - Danielle Hall is in an elite group of dancers.

Out of 74 hopefuls, Hall was chosen as one of the 16 Golden Girls at LSU.

The Golden Girls dance with the band at the football games. In previous years, the dance team has only traveled with the football squad for one away game, but this year, the Golden Girls will be sparkling at every game.

Hall planned on going to LSU long ago, ever since she decided to become a dental hygienist. Once she was accepted at LSU, she chose to tryout for the dance team.

There were 74 girls who showed up and each one had to perform a solo routine for the judges. After that, 40 girls were let go. The remaining 34 girls had one hour to learn an advanced jazz routine.

"It was really hard," Hall said.

From that, only 16 girls were picked for the final team, and Hall was one of those young ladies.

"I didn't think it was true. It just didn't seem believable," Hall said when she found out she made the team.

The 18-year-old will graduate from Bowling Green School next month. She was on the Treasures from seventh to ninth grade at BGS and was the captain her final year. Then from tenth to twelfth grades, Hall was on the Buccanettes where she was the captain her senior year.

Hall started dancing when she was 3 years old at Dawn Alsord's Dance Academy. She danced there for 15 years and along the way has been helped by Brian Applewhite and Kathy O'Quinn.

Hall has been dedicated to dance all her life. For two months during her senior year, she took a dance class in Baton Rouge every Monday.

"I didn't get home until 11 p.m. or midnight every night," Hall said.

Her parents, Donna and Donnovan, have been supportive of their daughter's dancing path, and are even more pleased now that Hall is on the team at LSU.

The $1,000 scholarship the high school senior gets for dancing at LSU will certainly help in the financial end.

"I'm living in a dorm, and school is expensive living in a dorm," Hall said. She also has TOPS.

Hall's schedule at LSU will be just like a student-athlete. She has to take at least 12 hours a semester and has practice every Monday through Friday from 3:50 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. She also has to maintain a 2.0 GPA.

"Dancing is a sport because you have to have endurance and be a team," Hall said of how her extra-curricular activity is just like anyone else's.

She will get ready for graduation in May and then move to LSU shortly after that.