New dance team shakes up pep band, spices up basketball
Abby McMahon
Issue date: 2/6/04 Section: Culture
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The Elite Dancers, a new dance team on campus who help draw attention to the pep band with their talent and energy, have been performing at basketball games since November.
The dance team developed by a few women, who wanted to see more activity by majorettes, and by Dr. Stuart Benkert, assistant professor of music, who wanted "Go-Go dancers" to accompany the band.
As an answer to both desires, a group of friends assembled the dance team.
Because the Elite Dancers were not a recognized university club, the team was unable to hold auditions and had difficulty finding funding, according to dancer Ashley Gainey, a sophomore from Nashville.
Gainey said, however, that the team was able to find people with talent and experience.
Among the team members are three "flag girls," two former high school cheerleaders, one former high school majorette and two former pom-pom dancers.
"Some people think we're trying to take the place of the Sugar Mocs, but we're definitely not," Gainey said.
"We are simply another representation of the school. I think it's a positive thing that so many people want to represent UTC," she said.
Because the team is so new, the members of the team have heard that some people are trying to find out who they are.
"Some people thought we were in high school," Gainey said.
The women practice hard and dance hard, but still manage to make it look fun and effortless.
One team member said that her participation has been a positive experience.
Ariel Greene, a freshman from Chattanooga, said: "I just love dancing. I'm a dance fanatic. Whenever I'm mad, I dance. Last semester, I didn't do anything but school, so when I heard [they] wanted to start a group, I was excited. It's turned out really well."
The team of nine women may be open to male dancers next semester, but there are still decisions to be made about the future of the group, according to Greene.
The Elite Dancers said they have made a lot of progress in their couple months as a group.
They were supposed to perform at a recent Lady Mocs game halftime show, but the game was cancelled.
They are currently scheduled for halftime at the Feb. 11 men's game vs. Wofford and Feb. 28 women's game vs. College of Charleston.
Until then, fans can see the dancers performing behind the pep band at most men and women's home basketball games.
