Dedicating so much time to perfect preparation for basketball game performances should earn some kind of recognition right? Members of Bradley University’s Bravettes Dance Team feel the same but are treated otherwise. 

I have spoken with Rileigh Black a co-captain of the Bravettes and junior special education major at Bradley University. As well as Izzy Fontane a second-year member of the Bravettes and sophomore marketing major at Bradley University. Both have shared their thoughts and experiences about this past dance season.

With a new season post-COVID emerging captains Sarah Hootman, Belle Plew, and Rileigh Black were ready to lead the new team. 

“I knew it was going to be a challenge but I was up for it,” Black said.

This year’s team contained a mix of 15 new and returning members. But coming from a year of not being able to perform due to the pandemic, preparation for the season began immediately. The team practiced for two hours, three days a week and spirits were high for the first game. 

“The only expectation I had for the season was that it was going to be exciting performing at games with the crowd hyping us up,” Fontane said.

Upon arriving at their first game, the team was informed that instead of dancing on the courtside as they had in the past, they would instead be dancing behind a seating area off the court. Fontane mentioned that this was spacially inconvenient for the team as the two rows of members had to squeeze together and the sidelines had to be modified to fit the new space.

Captains spoke with the athletics department and Peoria Civic Center employees to request different spacing or alternative options but their requests were unsuccessful. This is not the first time a request from the Bravettes has been denied.

In previous years, members of the team have spoken with the athletic department to convert the Bravettes from a student-led organization to a university-recognized sport. Having the team recognized as a sport would help with receiving funding and equal treatment. This request was also unsuccessful.

“I think sometimes we weren’t always taken very seriously and that is tough because as a team we do work extremely hard,” Black said.

Although the team was unable to receive what they were seeking, they continue to fight for recognition. The Bravettes continue to play an active role in the Bradley and Peoria community.

 On-campus they advertise their team through social media and participating in university events such as homecoming and welcome week. To raise money for uniforms and other necessities, the Bravettes have hosted a kids camp and choreographed hip-hop dances for a local high school dance team. 

The team had not let their lack of funding or title affect how their season went. Both members stated how the season ended on a high note at the Missouri Valley Conference as the team was proud of themselves for making it thus far on their own. They were able to rally together to have a great year regardless of any bumps in the road.

“ To think that not being university-sponsored we were able to fundraise that money and bring ourselves to MVC on our own accord makes me prideful,” Fontane said.