(By Justin Kopp ’25, associate editor)
Homecoming weekend is upon LVC, but one part of its inaugural pep rally, the Dutchmen Dance-off, has undergone some changes this year.
The atmosphere of the pep rally’s Dutchmen Dance-off will be more cheerful than competitive this year as LVC’s athletic teams perform without the pressure of competing against one another for additional program funding.
According to director of student engagement Jennifer Evans, each participating team will be awarded $200 for its efforts this year.
Evans explained that this departure from previous years, wherein a team had to place first, second or third in its number of student votes to receive money, was made in the name of fairness.
“Some teams expressed frustration that larger teams had an advantage numbers-wise for voting, and it really wasn’t based on talent or the quality of the routines,” Evans said. “It also seemed that the poll was being forwarded to others not present, so we felt that wasn’t really fair.”
The dance-off will still feature campus celebrity judges including but not limited to President James MacLaren, senior class president Reinhold “Lou” Louis and 2023 homecoming queen Abbie Keith.
Students can look forward to colorful commentary from these judges on the athletic teams’ performances, and they are encouraged to make some noise for their favorite teams too.
“It’s supposed to be a fun night for all, and the teams work hard so we want them to be rewarded for that,” Evans said.
The Dutchmen Dance-off will start at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, and take place out on Arnold Field.