How Universities Belittle Dance Teams
As a member of the State University Dance Force (the dance team), I am outraged at the way the university treats us. They won't let us practice anywhere but a place that is unsafe for dancing. As for scholarships or credit hours, which other sports teams receive, they are nonexistent if you are on the dance team. They also won't let us be a part of anything at the university and have robbed us of the few performances we were getting. I feel the university should give us a little respect for all our hard work, and for representing the school in any special functions we attend. Their behavior towards us is unnecessary and absolutely pathetic. In order to dance properly, a dancer needs a flat smooth surface. That's why most dance studios consist of all wood floors or tile. Even gym floors would be sufficient for dancing. The university makes the dance team practice in the same place where most other club sports practice, the French Field House. This is a very nice facility, don't get me wrong, but not for dancing. It may be a perfect place for all other club sports to practice, but it is a major hazard for us dancers. First of all, the surface of the floor is either a track or cheap astroturf. The track wouldn't be
The past couple years, the dance team has performed at half time at basketball games. This year, for some reason, the university would only give us two men's games and two women's games to perform at. Also, we don't get to perform at half time anymore, we perform at the media time outs. This only gives us forty-five seconds to dance. If you blink you might miss us. All Big Ten universities, that have dance teams, allow them to go to football games and perform at basketball games and other important school events. Ohio State claims we "don't fit into their 'style' anymore" so we aren't allowed to go to football games or other major athletic events. The Buckeye Dance Force practices three nights a week for three hours and lifts weights on the remaining days. Regardless of all the time being consumed, we all manage to keep good grades. We have gone to many cancer walks and fund raisers representing the university. We have yet to receive any appreciation for our hard work and dedication. I understand that there is a lot of sports teams that the university pays for, and there may not be any other place on campus for us to practice at that time. They could at least take into consideration the fact that we are being injured. Also, a lot of people don't even know there is a dance team at OSU. I feel this is because of the university's lack of respect for a group of girls just trying to do what they love. I think if people made an effort to say th
Some common words found in the essay are:
Field House, Dance Force, University Kentucky, dance team, club sports, field house, sports teams, club sports practice, considered varsity sport, sports teams receive, teams receive, university comment, football games, varsity sports, sports practice, basketball games,
Approximate Word count = 987
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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