Let’s Dance

Annual Dance and Step Show Draws Full House

The Doo-Dah Dance and Step competition is one of the most highly anticipated events for students during Homecoming Week at Georgia Southern. Performers spend weeks, sometimes months, choreographing and rehearsing the perfect showstopper to impress the judges and the wildly cheering audience.

“There’s a lot of campus pride here, but homecoming is just one of those times where everyone’s ‘True Blueness’ seems to come alive,” said Memory Littles, assistant director in the Office of Student Activities. “Doo-Dah is one of the few events that a diverse group of students with different missions, visions and values are all able to come together under one roof and with a common purpose — to celebrate each other’s talents, celebrate Georgia Southern University and simply have a good time.”

This longstanding tradition holds a special place in the hearts of many Eagles, but what exactly does it entail? What started as a traditional step competition among Greek organizations grew into the Doo-Dah Step and Dance show hosted by the Eagle Entertainment Club and is now the University Programming Board-sponsored competition we know it as today.

Alumna and University Advancement Director of Annual Giving Gloria Goosby (‘04) competed in the show when she was a student more than a decade ago. She and the Zodiac Step Team showcased their talents on Sweetheart Circle in front of an eager audience sitting on picnic blankets and lawn chairs. “It was very open and inclusive,” she said.

This year Mr. and Miss Georgia Southern hosted the event in front of an audience of more than 2,500 people in Hanner Fieldhouse. DJ Nino got the crowd going for the second year in a row — setting the tone for the opening number and the 16 team performances that followed.

Dance teams have the option of competing in one of three categories: Doo-Dah, dance and step. Teams may be Greek-affiliated, non-Greek, dance clubs or they may represent any student organization. Performances are judged on precision, creativity, use of homecoming theme, visual presentation and the overall impression on the judges.

“I look forward to Doo-Dah every year. I’ve danced in it, and I’ve watched in the crowd. Both are equally amazing experiences,” said Niki Grant, senior majoring in public relations. “Each organization puts so much effort into making their dances great, and I love all of the student body participation. It’s such a fantastic hype event every homecoming!”

The sorority sisters of Alpha Delta Pi won over the panel of five judges and took home the coveted title of Doo-Dah champions for the second consecutive year. Aside from bragging rights and a place in Georgia Southern homecoming history, winning dance and step teams took home checks of up to $200 for their organizations.

Proceeds from ticket sales were donated to Eagles for Eagles, a Student Government Association student fundraising initiative to help students experiencing extreme financial hardship. Between donations and ticket sales, this year’s event raised a total of $2,705. — Aubrey Trevathan