While IU and Purdue are bitter in-state rivals, their dance teams teamed up with the Colts Cheer organization and other college dance team to promote dance in the state of Indiana.
INDIANA — The Hoosiers and Boilermakers are not shy about their fierce rivalry. The two Indiana schools divide many houses and families across the state. But in one activity, the programs formed a sisterhood of sorts.
This is Wood's 5th season as the Director of the Redsteppers in Bloomington. The storied program started with Bailey and Title IX. Bailey approached the band director and asked if she could start a female dance team to perform alongside what was at the time, an all-male marching band. Bailey was given the go-ahead and she got to work doing her research, scoping out other teams across the country for a style and look.
Wood relies on her many years of dance and cheer experience, both from childhood and at a professional level. She uses her experience performing inside of Lucas Oil Stadium to coach her team to be game-day ready. Wood took the team through a COVID-19 year where she says they continued to practice each day, even though they had no games to perform at, but that they just continued to meet for their own mental health.
"We are working on our technical skills. It's amazing to me the women that come onto this team, how technically advanced they are," said Wood."A lot of young women today who want dance in college, they want both, They want the game day feel but they also want to be able to go show their technical aspects and compete.""I think Redsteppers is so special because we are a part of the band," said McLain.
The Purdue Goldusters perform alongside the All-American Marching Band and the world's largest drum at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafeyette. Hess says this continuous growth and change is not only important for the fan experience, but also for the dancers themselves. They are also competing for the first time this year at a national dance competition as an added challenge for the team.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hoosier relieved to be back from Israel after being separated from son when war startedKaitlyn is an Emmy award winning anchor and Emmy nominated journalist. She joined WRTV in November of 2021 as a Multi Media Journalist.
Read more »
First-of-its-kind gene therapy could change everything for Hoosier childrenKaitlyn is an Emmy award winning anchor and Emmy nominated journalist. She joined WRTV in November of 2021 as a Multi Media Journalist.
Read more »
Big Ten race looks as if it will come down to Purdue and Spartans. After that, it's anybody's guessHandicapping the Big Ten race comes down to this: Purdue, Michigan State, everybody else.
Read more »
Next year's Rady Children's Invitational will include Purdue, Notre Dame and othersEvent organizers announce 2024 slate of teams, one month before 2023 event is set to tip off at UCSD's LionTree Arena
Read more »
2024 NCAA Tournament projections: Kansas, Purdue among No. 1 seedsAs the start of the 2023-24 college basketball season approaches, FOX Sports bracket forecaster Mike DeCourcy offers up his initial NCAA Tournament projections.
Read more »
Judge dismisses Birmingham-Southern lawsuit against Alabama state treasurer over loan denialAn Alabama judge has dismissed Birmingham-Southern College’s lawsuit against the state treasurer over a loan denial. Birmingham-Southern College filed a lawsuit last week against state Treasurer Young Boozer. The college said Boozer wrongly denied a $30 million loan from a program created by lawmakers to provide a financial lifeline to the college.
Read more »