I’m sure you’ve seen the dance team around campus or at basketball or football games, but I’m also sure there’s probably a lot you don’t know about the team!spotlight

I sat down with newly elected team captain Chelsey Banasiak to learn more! This year’s captains were Kayla Thompson and Alyssa Bizoukas. Chelsey’s co-captain is Allison Vinovich. 

Fun Facts:

22 person team

The dance team was originally founded in 1968 as part of the athletics department. Now, it's a student-run organization

They are committed to displaying the spirit and enthusiasm of our campus!

They have changed names many times from Pep Squad, The Pepsters, to Boiler Babes

The team only has a brief, two-week off season

Recent News:

For the past ten years, the team as competed at the National Dance Alliance College Nationals Competition in the Division IA Category at Daytona Beach. Chelsea compared this to the NCAA tournament for dancers. However, this is the second year in a row where they have placed as the national runner up. Purdue has earned a well-known name in the national dancer and cheer community.

Greek Facts:

-          20/22 girls are Greek, while many of them also hold house positions

-          5 houses are represented: Chi Omega, Theta, DG, Zeta, Pi Phi, and Sigma Kappa

-          They are willing to perform at any fraternity or sorority philanthropy

-          They have performed at Theta-Fiji grill off, BMOC, and PUDM in the past

To watch their performance from NDA, check out CBS sports on April 27th! Also, if you’re interested in being part of the team, try-outs are April 27th from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Studio B. Contact any member of the team for more information! Go follow them on twitter, @purduedanceteam!