Southern Misses Tryouts Underway

By LaShana Sorrell
April 06, 2006
The Student Printz

The Southern Miss athletics department will host tryouts for the 2006-2007 Southern Misses Dance Team Friday and Saturday.

Tryouts will be held in the Payne Center on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. Southern Misses head coach Bridgett A. Hunt said registration is from 4 - 5 p.m. on Friday, and material will be taught from 5-8 p.m. Saturday; final tryouts will begin at 2 p.m.

Hunt said there are 16-18 positions available for the dance team.

Hunt suggested some technical skills to prepare for this year's tryout are: pirouette trims (double/triple), axles, fouette turns, jetes, switch leaps, straddle, etc.

“It will be required that many of the mentioned skills, in addition to others, be demonstrated left and right,” Hunt said. “Other skills to be judged will be physical fitness and crowd appeal and enthusiasm.”

Freshman psychology major and member of the dance team Courtney Crist is looking forward to trying for the team again this year.



“I am trying out again next year because I loved performing at the basketball games,” Crist said. “Sitting on the sidelines, right in the middle of the game was a lot of fun and I loved the rush when the ball came flying at your face.”

Senior speech communication major and former member of the dance team and cheerleading squad Natalie Goldman loves dancing, especially on the Southern Miss dance team.

“I have been dancing since the age of two and I love it,” Goldman said. “When I came to Southern Miss I had a hard time decided on dancing or cheerleading. Instead of choosing between the two, I tried out for the both and made them both. “

She said they practice two to three nights a week and maybe more depending on upcoming events.

“For the past two years I have been a member of the Southern Misses, and I have enjoyed every minute of it,” Goldman said. “ Our team dances at all pep-rallies, eagle walk and basketball games.”

She also added the Southern Misses help with a Girl Scout Clinic every year as a fundraiser. The girl scouts perform a dance from their clinic at one of the women's basketball game.

Goldman feels the Southern Misses have a close bond and friendship.

“Being on the Southern Miss dance team has been a very rewarding experience,” Goldman said. “Not only do we dance, but we also have a strong bond with each other. Our coach and the other girls on this team are great. Everyone gets along so well, and we each try to encourage one another in and out of the dance studio. These girls are not only my teammates, but my friends as well.”

Crist echoes Goldman's belief in the bond between the girls.

“It's a lot of hard work, but the friendships and performances make it all worth it in the end,” Crist said.

All members are committed to the team for a year. Each member is also required to maintain weekly workouts and GPA requirements. Southern Misses are treated as athletes and therefore receive the same benefits as other athletes on the campus, Hunt added.

“There is a lot of hard work associated with being a member of this team, but it is also a very rewarding experience,” Hunt said.

They attend a UDA college camp at the University of Alabama in July and placed second in their division for summer 2005, she said.

Hunt said those interested in being a Southern Miss need to have a positive attitude first and foremost.

“A good attitude, a great deal of dedication, and strong commitment to hard work are also traits that we look for in potential members,” Hunt said.

Goldman encourages all who are interested to tryout.

“Go for it,” Goldman said. “Just be yourself, be confident in what your doing, dance your heart out and most of all have fun. If you mess up keep going; it will be okay.”

To be eligible to participate one must be enrolled at or accepted to attend Southern Miss in the fall as a full-time student. Those interested should submit an application, current photo, proof of insurance, cop of student ID or proof of acceptance and a $25 non-refundable fee.

Also, tryouts for the cheerleading squad and Seymour, the mascot, will be held the weekend of April 21 - 23 at Planet Gymnastics in Hattiesburg.

For further information about tryout information call 266-5017.