Redsteppers gear up for weekend performances

It takes more than just looking cute in a short skirt to be a part of the IU Redsteppers.\nThe dance team will be a major part of this weekend's "Glory Days" homecoming activities. In addition to performing at the home football game against Michigan State University, the team will also be appearing at "Yell Like Hell" in Alumni Hall, the homecoming parade and the pep rally at the Sample Gates. \nRedsteppers are a group of 16 athletes who perform during pregame, halftime and after IU football games. New this year with the band forced to move to the south end zone, the Redsteppers dance throughout the game from the field. They are a part of the Marching Hundred and receive two credit hours for dancing with the band. \nIt takes a lot of dedication to be a member of the Redsteppers, team members said. The dancers practice for an hour and a half every day and dedicate most of their weekends to team commitments. \nFor the past three years, senior Laura Young has danced for the team. She and the rest of the dancers will be particularly crunched for time this weekend because of time commitments to the squad, she said.\n"We have to perform for all the homecoming activities, and we have a showcase band concert Sunday at Assembly Hall," Young said. "It is a time when the whole band plays, and we get to perform all of our dances."\nAs for this year's homecoming halftime dance, Young said it is not necessarily different than previous numbers. She said the team will perform its kick line to AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long" and will share the field with Marching Hundred alumni, some of whom are current Redsteppers' moms, at the end of the performance for "Sing, Sing, Sing."\nThis year's hard work brought other opportunities for the team, including performing at halftime during the Indianapolis Colts game against the Washington Redskins last Sunday. Even though moments like these might be memorable, the girls say the best part of being a Redstepper is the strong feeling of community. \n"It's like having a family here at IU," junior Kelli Matula said.\nThe spotlight has been on the Redsteppers more than usual this year since IU's pom squad was cut this past March. The Redsteppers are now the only dance team that performs at the football games. \n"It hasn't affected us much, but I think there may be a little more attention on us now," sophomore Kelsey Laesch said. \nTryouts are twice a year, once in late spring and once during the Marching Hundred's band camp week. Prospective Redsteppers are expected to have several years of dance training experience. \nThe Redsteppers' strenuous practices consist of preparing their routines for upcoming performances. The women must be incredibly precise, down to small details like pointing their toes when necessary and keeping their wrists straight.\nThe Redsteppers will perform at a 6:30 p.m. pep rally at the Sample Gates following the 48th Annual Homecoming Parade, which begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday.