Image Credits: West Chester Dance Team via @wcudanceteam
“I think a lot of people may think it looks easy,” West Chester University’s Dance Team Captains, Emily Gilligan and Emma Hoeffner, explained. “But trying to get 25 girls organized, in the same outfits, doing the same thing at the same time with no coach is very difficult.” The captains credited their executive board for jumping in at times when extra help is needed.
One of the highest-performing sports clubs on campus, West Chester University’s Dance Team (WCUDT) is a student-led sports organization that consists of many talented dancers. Most of these dancers had strong dance competition backgrounds before coming to WCU. Many had accumulated regional and national titles during their competition years at their home studio. Their combined experiences creates a well-rounded team where each member has something to contribute.
The team’s season started in July when both team captains, Emily Gilligan and Emma Hoeffner, started choreographing routines for the upcoming year. August consisted of gathering the whole team together in West Chester. They spent the whole month before school preparing for nationals, practicing for football games and events around campus and keeping up with team technique. Team bonding events such as movie nights, pool parties, team dinners and scavenger hunts were also included.
During the academic year, the Dance Team practices two to three times a week on top of whatever games and events they have scheduled that week, depending on the time of year. On Mondays and Wednesdays, the team holds two-hour practices at the Student Recreation Center. Every other Sunday, they hold a three-hour practice. There is a lot of time and effort spent making their routines clean and effortless.
The captains even have alumni come in and assist in the process — numerous WCUDT alumni have become professional cheerleaders and dancers for the Philadelphia Eagles Cheer and the 76ers’ Entertainment Squad. Having an extra set of eyes, especially professional ones, makes up for not having a coach.
The event of the season occurs over collegiate winter break — Nationals take place at the ESPN Center in Orlando, Florida at the beginning of January. While most students can go back to their hometowns and spend time with their families, WCUDT commits to staying at school in order to prepare for nationals. The Dance Team is also responsible for funding their trip to nationals due to it being student-run. The money for flights, hotels, apparel and more is all collected through fundraisers throughout the year.
At Nationals, the team competes in the highest number of different categories permitted. The team’s categories consist of the Open Hip-Hop category, Open Jazz and Open Gameday. The Gameday category entails a style referred to as Pom, which is an extremely athletic, technical style that requires strong dynamics done with pom poms. This category allows for dancers to show school spirit and is dedicated to the girls’ experience on the team.
Gilligan reflected on her experience as a West Chester University dancer. “This team has taught me so many things about myself and my ability to lead a team. As a leader, I have learned how to deal with difficult situations, build professional relationships and above all lead with compassion.”
WCUDT won their first University Dance Association National Championship title in 2022 as Open Hip-Hop National Champions. In the past five years, they have finished in the top three in the nation. This year, the team’s goals are to bring home another national championship title, become more involved in WCU spirit and tradition and continue to support the West Chester community through their love and passion for dance.
Catch the West Chester University Dance Team this year at university athletic events and local competitions. The group made its first sports game appearance in West Chester when the Golden Rams took on Bentley University during their 2024 home opener on Sept. 7.
Sophie Stair is a second-year English major with a Journalism minor. ss1029515@wcupa.edu