Kutztown Dance Team Prepares For 76ers Performance

By Mike Clay
The Keystone

The KU Dance Team will be performing during halftime of a Philadelphia 76ers game this year for the fourth time in three years. The game, against the Orlando Magic, will be at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 14 at 3 p.m.

The women are scheduled to perform a five-minute routine comprised of various routines that were performed at on-campus events throughout the year. The team, considered a hip-hop/jazz dance team, has performed during special school events and during halftime at home basketball games throughout the season.

Leading this year's squad is team president and senior Professional Writing major Christine McDermott.

"Our team works hard year round to prepare for KU's basketball games and we are really excited to be performing at a 76ers game for the fourth time," said McDermott.

The program has made a name for itself over the past few years, as four former members of the team are now dancing at the professional level.

2005 KU graduate Kate Beaver and current KU student Vi Nguyen are on the Sixers dance team. 2006 graduate Kerri Wright is on the Philadelphia Kixx's team and 2005 graduate Erica Dieter is on the Reading Express Smokin' Hot Steam team.

Members of the alumni, as well as school mascot Avalanche, are expected to be at the game to lend their support. The women still must sell 250 tickets in order to be able to perform and will be selling tickets from March 26-28 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the McFarland Student Union Building lobby. Beaver and Nguyen are expected to be on campus on March 26 to help the team try and reach its goal. Ticket prices range from $30-$66 and transportation can be made available at an additional cost. The 2007 Dance Team posters will be sold for $6 at the table, as well.

"We really hope we can sell a lot of tickets this year," said McDermott. "If a lot of KU students go to the game, we can make this a big KU event at the Wachovia Center."

For more information on the event, the team can be reached at danceteam@kutztown.edu.