Dance team carries on without school funding

By Jessica Alway

After missing the deadline to receive school funding, Santa Clara's dance team has been working hard at funding themselves for the 2001-2002 school year.

The team believes that they are the underdog of the athletic entertainment triad, often overlooked and under-appreciated. This group of 11 students wants to be recognized as just as talented and motivated as their counterparts, the cheer squad and pep band, and receive equal funding.

Established in 1997, the dance team has existed as a club, only partially financed by the university. Each year the school divides a set sum among the school band, cheer and dance teams. In past years, the dance teams have had access to these funds, but failed to apply in time this year.

"It isn't as though we don't support the dance team," said Lindsay Amstutz, director of marketing and promotion for the Athletic Department. "They just decided a little late in the game that they wanted a team. We had already reallocated the funds to the cheer and band teams that were originally set aside for dance"

Initially the university wasn't planning on having a dance team this year, but in October senior Erin Donnelly went to Amstutz to ask for support. Although the school funding was already gone, Donnelly decided to hold auditions anyway.

"We had a pretty good turnout," Donnelly said. "About 45 girls came out. I choreographed a dance and hired dance experts to judge the tryout. They looked at overall talent but also how the girls moved as a group. I am really happy with the final team. The Athletic Department has been supportive of us even though they can't provide any money."

Like Donnelly, many of the members are not dance majors, yet have a lot of experience. Senior Deann Mayeda has been dancing most of her life and has also been involved with the team in years past.

"It is a great way to get involved with athletics," Mayeda said. "Especially if you love to dance. The style is very different than that offered in most of the dance classes at Santa Clara."

As a returning teammate she also recognizes the difficulties the team has faced this year.

"It is hard without financial support or a coach. Erin [Donnelly] is great but she is a student just like all of us and she has other responsibilities," Mayeda said. "I guess in a way the lack of one specific leader has made us more of a tight knit group. We are all equals," she said.

All members must contribute some of their own money for practice facilities and costumes. Without University funding they have had to rely on donations as well as personal funds.

"We have had trouble booking facilities like Malley or the dance studio," Donnelly said. "They are just so busy with other classes and schedules that there is no room for us."

The team has resorted to renting out Dance Affair, a studio near campus, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays. But instead of paying with cash Donnelly is giving the owner Pilates lessons, a style of exercise similar to yoga.

"It actually worked out pretty well," Donnelly said. "It is easier than finding the money to pay for it. The owner has even suggested we wash her windows for more studio time."

Yet Donnelly still hopes the team will be able to gain funding from the University next year. As long as the team applies for financial backing early Amstutz doesn't foresee a problem. In fact, she has been encouraging Donnelly to do just that.

"I am a big fan of the team myself," Amstutz said. "I think they are a really talented group of girls. The audience also seems to enjoy their shows immensely."

The team has performed at two basketball games already this season and is schedule for at least four more events.

"I have had a couple of people come up to me after games and tell me how much they like our performances," Mayeda said. "Someone once told me she looked forward to games against Santa Clara because she enjoyed our half time shows so much."