Dancers lift their legs from the ground with toes pointed outward, each member of a team moving in unison. The team has been anticipating the Universal Dance Association college nationals, widely known as the “Super Bowl of dance.”
The UDA was founded in 1980 by Jeff Webb and Kris Shepard, originally named “Universal Dance Camps,” hosting camps then known as “drill teams.” To appeal to new dancers, the term “dance teams” was coined. Today, the UDA provides high-quality training and competition to dancers across the country, packed with performances and passionate dancers.
“I didn’t know about UDA until I joined the dance team in high school,” junior and dancer Angelina Zhou said. “I watch it every competition season because it inspires me to keep working hard.”
Categories of dance performed include jazz, pom, hip-hop and game day. Each category of dance has characteristics that set them apart. Jazz prioritizes fluid movement; hip-hop focuses on high-energy and complex footwork; pom includes sharp movements and clean acrobatics, while game day is a test of spirit and boldness.
“When I watch UDA, I notice how in sync the dancers are,” sophomore and dancer Eunice Leung said. “You can see the passion in each of the dances and that’s really inspiring for me.”
The UDA college nationals were hosted at Disney World in Orlando on Jan. 17-19. After an intense battle on the floor, 11 teams won in 12 divisions, with the University of Minnesota securing two first-place wins.
In 2024, Ohio State University’s victory in the jazz category caused controversy. OSU and the UMN have had an intense rivalry. UMN’s routine included some of the most difficult choreography ever performed at UDA college nationals, leading some watchers to believe they deserved the victory. However, captivating performance eventually secured their victory with incredible twirls, jumps, synchronicity and a gravity-defying stunt to open the number.
“My favorite UDA performance is the 2022 Louisiana State University Dance Team hip-hop,” Zhou said. “This was the first UDA performance I’ve ever watched and is the most memorable.”
Although practice is arduous, as each motion must be perfected,, nothing compares to competition day. Fueled by excitement and nervousness, dancers anticipate the moment they step onto the floor.
“I don’t get nervous until about an hour before the competition,” freshman and dancer Emma Wu said. “Then, right before I go on stage, it hits me.”
While glory awaits winners of the UDA, a mistake can be fatal to a dancer’s reputation. “I wouldn’t like to compete in college nationals because there’s too much pressure involved,” Zhou said. “If you make a mistake, people will post about it on social media”
Although teams are extremely competitive, the atmosphere is generally welcoming. Dancers who attend top competitions often share the same passion and determination for dancing.
“When I am at a competition, it’s very supportive since even though we are competing against each other,” freshman and dancer Celina Chen said. “We get to be with so many other people who love dancing, it’s like one big family.”
The UDA college nationals provide a way for dance teams to connect and celebrate their hard work amid the fierce competition. The Valkyries and many other teams across the country often use the UDA college nationals as inspiration for ensuring a successful performance.
