THE DRAKE DANCE TEAM, dances at halftime during a Bulldogs Basketball game Tuesday. Photo: Sarah Andrews
As the music starts, the team waits for the
exact beat to hit that first move with pointed toes
and bright smiles. These are the moments that
make the practice, sore feet and stress all worth
it. It’s not the cheering crowd or applause, but
the synergy that keeps the enthusiasm going.
Performing and sharing the beauty of dance
unites the Drake University dancers as not just a
group, but a team.
The president of the Drake dance team,
Becca Neely, still finds her job to be extremely
rewarding, despite the challenge of a lack of
recognition and funding.
Neely, a senior, is finishing up her last year
strong. In addition to a double major in creative
advertising and graphic design and long hours
at work, Neely still finds time to dedicate for
the team. Even though she has been dancing
since she was in second grade, the passion is still
intense.
“Dancing makes you take on a character,
it’s almost like an out-of-body experience,” said
Neely. “You are larger, more beautiful, and that’s
pretty powerful.”
The dance team is led and funded by the
members. The group meets three times a week
for a focused two hours of practice. Traditionally,
the team performs at one football game and a
handful of basketball games.
Beth Branding, a sophomore co-captain of
the team, auditioned as a first-year. Since sixth
grade, Branding has shared her energy for dance
with others.
“It’s a way to express yourself without having
to talk,” Branding said. “I want people to enjoy
it, and appreciate how hard we work to have
good performances for Drake fans.”
Branding cited last year’s Iowa Dance and
Drill Team Championships as one of the most
rewarding points of her involvement with the
team. The team placed third in the college
division, tying with the University of Northern
Iowa.
Morgan Meier, a sophomore, is seeing both
the benefits and challenges of being a co-captain
on the team this year.
“It’s a whole new role for me,” said Meier.
“I am one of the girls’ peers, yet I am also an
authority figure. It’s an exciting thing to be a
part of, especially as the team establishes itself
in the college dance world.”
As president, Neely is responsible for
choreography, costumes, fundraising, scheduling,
running practices and, most importantly,
motivation.
Branding said the hardest part of being a cocaptain
is working with the athletic department.
“We don’t have an advisor or anything, so
it’s just three captains organizing and running
practice, and trying to organize dancing at
games,” Branding said.
Neely sees a considerable amount of
potential in the growing group. Nearly 40
girls tried out for this year’s team. As the team
continues to improve and expand, leaders and
members see a bright future ahead for the dance
team program.
“I would love to see the team have a coach,”
Neely said. “It’s a lot of work for a student to
run the team. But for now, as long as we improve
as a team each year, and the girls are all having
fun, I couldn’t be happier.”
Branding said the girls keep each other
energized in spite of their busy schedules.
“Sometimes we come in tired, stressed out
with school,” Branding said. “We push each
other through problems. It’s a stress reliever. I
don’t ever think about my schoolwork when I’m
at dance. I just dance.”As the music starts, the team waits for the exact beat to hit that first move with pointed toes and bright smiles. These are the moments that make the practice, sore feet and stress all worth it. It’s not the cheering crowd or applause, but the synergy that keeps the enthusiasm going. Performing and sharing the beauty of dance unites the Drake University dancers as not just a group, but a team.
The president of the Drake dance team, Becca Neely, still finds her job to be extremely rewarding, despite the challenge of a lack of recognition and funding.
Neely, a senior, is finishing up her last year strong. In addition to a double major in creative advertising and graphic design and long hours at work, Neely still finds time to dedicate for the team. Even though she has been dancing since she was in second grade, the passion is still intense.
“Dancing makes you take on a character, it’s almost like an out-of-body experience,” said Neely. “You are larger, more beautiful, and that’s pretty powerful.”
The dance team is led and funded by the members. The group meets three times a week for a focused two hours of practice. Traditionally, the team performs at one football game and a handful of basketball games.
Beth Branding, a sophomore co-captain of the team, auditioned as a first-year. Since sixth grade, Branding has shared her energy for dance with others.
“It’s a way to express yourself without having to talk,” Branding said. “I want people to enjoy it, and appreciate how hard we work to have good performances for Drake fans.”
Branding cited last year’s Iowa Dance and Drill Team Championships as one of the most rewarding points of her involvement with the team. The team placed third in the college division, tying with the University of Northern Iowa.
Morgan Meier, a sophomore, is seeing both the benefits and challenges of being a co-captain on the team this year.
“It’s a whole new role for me,” said Meier. “I am one of the girls’ peers, yet I am also an authority figure. It’s an exciting thing to be a part of, especially as the team establishes itself in the college dance world.”
As president, Neely is responsible for choreography, costumes, fundraising, scheduling, running practices and, most importantly, motivation.
Branding said the hardest part of being a co-captain is working with the athletic department.
“We don’t have an advisor or anything, so it’s just three captains organizing and running practice, and trying to organize dancing at games,” Branding said.
Neely sees a considerable amount of potential in the growing group. Nearly 40 girls tried out for this year’s team. As the team continues to improve and expand, leaders and members see a bright future ahead for the dance team program.
“I would love to see the team have a coach,” Neely said. “It’s a lot of work for a student to run the team. But for now, as long as we improve as a team each year, and the girls are all having fun, I couldn’t be happier.”
Branding said the girls keep each other energized in spite of their busy schedules.
“Sometimes we come in tired, stressed out with school,” Branding said. “We push each other through problems. It’s a stress reliever. I don’t ever think about my schoolwork when I’m at dance. I just dance.”
LAST YEAR’S DANCE TEAM accepts their third-place trophy at the Iowa Dance and Drill Team Championships. photo courtesy of DRAKE DANCE TEAM
Way to go girls! My sister is a cheer coach so I can totally understand the hard work that goes into this. I would really have to live on my heating pad and Topricin natural pain cream for something like this…but I am sure the reward is so great that all the hard work pays off!