UNC Wilmington Athletics

2023-24 UNCW Dance Team

Dates: Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, and Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023

Time: Check-in begins at 4:30 p.m. Tryouts run 5-9 p.m.

Mandatory Dance Clinice: There will be a mandatory clinic for those selected for the team on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, and Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. for those selected to the team.
Specific Questions: Contact Joolie Davis, Head Coach, at uncwdancecoach@yahoo.com

As a member of the UNCW Dance Team, you can experience the thrill of performing in front of thousands of fans as our student body cheers on Seahawk basketball! The UNCW Dance Team performs at every home game in Trask Coliseum for both the men's and women's basketball teams. We are a non-competitive team: our focus is on increasing student engagement with all Seahawk athletics. Most importantly, the UNCW Dance Team offers a tight-knit community of students who share a passion for dance and college athletics.

 
Requirements

 
Our ideal dancer is someone who loves Seahawk athletics; is vibrant and energetic during every performance; and overall promotes a wholesome reputation for our team. We look for solid, basic technique skills with all our dancers (i.e. clean double turns, leaps, high kicks, etc.). Tumbling skills and turn sequences are NOT a requirement. Most importantly, we want all our dancers to have an upbeat, professional attitude to positively represent our Seahawks.
 
Many of our dancers work jobs or join sororities in addition to being a member of the Dance Team. However, we ask that dance is your main priority and that you manage your time between games, practice, and extracuriculars accordingly. Work and Greek Life events are NOT legitimate excuses to miss any Dance Team events, practices, or games.

 
Tryouts
 

Tryouts typically take place during mid- to late-August (official dates will be released on our website and Instagram page closer to the beginning of the fall semester). We do NOT base ANY decisions on seniority: having a spot on the team the previous season does not automatically earn you a spot for the following season. 
 
The tryout process is held over a period of two days. On the first day, all prospective dancers must showcase a self-choreography routine with the following requirements:

• Four counts of eight of choreography to music of your choice;
• At least one clean turn;
• At least one clean leap;
• And a good representation of your performance skills to be expected on the court. 

The second day of tryouts will focus on technique skills specific to our performances in Trask Coliseum. This may include learning a short halftime routine; practicing sidelines or cheers; or displaying dance technique with across-the-floor exercises.
   
Practice is held in Hanover Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30pm-9:30pm. All members of the UNCW Dance Team are expected to attend all practices. We ask that you plan accordingly with your academic schedule so that you will be able to attend practice at the above times. 
 
All dancers must attend a mandatory weekend clinic shortly after making the team (the official date will be posted to the website ASAP). During the clinic, we will learn all our choreography, cheers, sidelines, etc. for the season. Please plan to be in attendance, as this choreography clinic is mandatory. 
 
During the basketball season, dancers will be required to perform at ALL men's AND women's home games. Work and Greek Life events are NOT an excused absence for any games. The team will also perform at our fall kickoff event—Midnight Madness.
   
During spring break, the UNCW Dance Team will travel with the basketball team to the CAA conference tournament. Only a select number of dancers will attend the tournament. A professional and unbiased decision on the CAA attendees will be based on the following attributes:

• Consistent work ethic during weekly practices; 
• Energetic and engaging performances on game day;
• Good sportsmanship and attitude towards teammates throughout the season; 
• And an overall wholesome and outgoing demeanor towards fans during events.

 CAA selection will be decided by the end of January. This process is NOT based on seniority. We ask that you do not make spring break travel plans beforehand, as the CAA selection process is mandatory for all members. In the event you are not selected for CAA, you will then have the option to plan your spring break. Upon selection, dancers are required to attend the CAA tournament (travel expenses will be paid for). More information will be provided closer to the date of travel.

 
Let's Get in Touch!

Stay up-to-date on tryouts and other information through our Instagram page: @uncw_danceteam. If you have any further questions, please send an email to head coach Joolie Davis at uncwdancecoach@yahoo.com. We can't wait to meet you at tryouts this fall!