They don't just dance - they dazzle

Taking the field and the court during the football and basketball games is a group of classy, motivated ladies who are known to amaze their audiences, the UB Dazzlers.

Often calling themselves "The Bullettes," the UB Dazzlers are an athletic group who show spirit and support for the Bulls. Combining hip-hop dance with a unique set of choreography, the Dazzlers aren't your typical spirit team.

The Dazzlers sprung up in the late '90s and emerged as a group for dancers who wished to continue their interest in dance while at the same time cheering for their home team.

Coached by Kelly Wagner, the Dazzlers carry a very professional and legitimate atmosphere into the arena when they perform. Wagner coaches the Buffalo Jills, the cheering squad for the Buffalo Bills, and owns and teaches her own dance studio in Buffalo. Wagner is in her second year with the Dazzlers and has brought a new tempo to the program.

Captained by senior Margo Theisen, senior Rebecca Friedlander and junior Sarah Falkowski, the Dazzlers are a recognized athletic group within the university. The process to obtain recognition as an athletic squad was quite an involved process.

"My older sister was the captain before us," Falkowski said. "She researched all the dance teams in the MAC (Mid-American Conference) and made a presentation to the athletic program to prove that the team was serious and could maintain a certain grade point average. These teams got all the benefits of an athletics team, which is what we wanted."

The Dazzlers were originally with the Student Association and recognized as a dance club, but decided it was time for a change two years ago.

"The decision to go from SA to athletics was one made by the E-board of the Dazzlers," said Special Interest Service and Hobbies Council Coordinator Cuthbert Onikute. "They submitted a letter to me as their council coordinator informing me and the SA that they had an opportunity to grow as a student group. As such, they no longer wished to be part of the student organization."

With the switch from SA to athletics, the Dazzlers have more of an opportunity to emerge in the Bulls community as a legitimate group who works just as hard as any other team.

"When we were with SA, we were primarily student run," Theisen said. We had to make our own uniforms. We bought everything out of pocket and didn't have a budget. Now that we are part of athletics, we get uniforms. We get a coach because we have the money to pay her. We are also taking it more seriously."

Because of their style of dance, the Dazzlers consider themselves dancers, rather then cheerleaders.

"We consider ourselves dancers simply because we don't stunt, we don't toss each other in the air," Falkowski said. "We have a more hip-hop style, turn and dance moves versus screaming cheers and doing stunts."

With a 17-woman roster, the Dazzlers hold try-outs like any other athletic team. Applicants can audition mid-season or between seasons as a new roster is made after football and before basketball. The appeal of being on a dance team doesn't apply strictly to dance majors either.

"Anyone can try. None of us (captains) are dance majors," Theisen said. "Usually a background in dance is common. We maybe have one or two dance majors on our team. It is tough with their show and class schedule."

The Dazzler's routines consist of hip-hop and rap mixes that are between three and four minutes long. Usually preformed at half time of a basketball game, the team has one week to nail the dance for their coach.

"Kelly, our coach, surprises us with three or four songs we could dance to," Falkowski said. "We take her choreography, break it down, and make it our own into a finalized routine."

Participating at both football and basketball events, the Dazzler's routine and ideal atmosphere varies with the sport.

"Basketball is inside and we don't have to deal with the weather," Theisen said. "We do work hard during football and do our cheers, but basketball is more of our time to showcase our routines."

Being part of the Dazzlers has its perks and classic game time moments. It is not everyday you catch a falling Parnell Smith or a thrown away ball by Drew Willy.

"Hearing people cheer for you when you go on the court means a lot," Falkowski said. "Having the sea of blue behind you during a playoff game is insane to be dancing in front of. Just to have this support is great."

The Dazzlers are a group who dedicate their time and efforts into making games more enjoyable. They share the same passion that any member of the student body shares for the Bulls.

"We're at the games for the same reason they (the student body) are," Theisen said. "We just want them to know that we are there for them as well as the fans."