The following is an excerpt from the MPLS TRIBUNE following the State Dance team Competition in 2001. I was so enraged by the article that I wrote back to the author several times. He actually answered me. Below is a transcript of the original article and our responses back and forth. We all need to stand up for the sport of DANCE TEAM.
Cindy Clough

Excerpt from Minneapolis Tribune, Sports Page, The Wrap, Monday February 26th, 2001
State danceline competition was also held this weekend, the results of which were handled in the Metro Section of this paper. Some danceline supporters whole heartily believe the activity is a sport and belongs in the sports section. They frequently cite similarities to gymnastics: both competitions are scored by judges and require extensive practice, stamina and skills. And up to that point, they're absolutely correct and convincing.
The difference is this: Many dancelines put Vaseline on their teeth so their gloss -coated lips don't stick when they smile. That's not athletics, that's grooming from a beauty pageant. (Insert game show buzzer sound here.) Not a sport.
Sports Wrap. Then again, we're not exactly sports back here either.
by Brian Wicker

To: Brian Wicker
From: Cindy Clough, Head Coach, Brainerd High School Dance Team Head Coach
As one who has coached dance team for 24 years, I was upset by your article in the Sports Wrap. I personally do not care where dance team is covered....the sports page or next to the obituaries (which is where my local paper puts us). We just want to be covered fairly and respected. I am disturbed when sports writers blast us and add derogatory remarks. We have worked so hard over the years to change the stereotypic "Pom Pom" girl image. When a paper your size chooses to print the article you did on February 26th, it can really set us back.

Thoughts to enlighten you......
#1. The name danceline was changed to Dance Team in 1995 by the MSHSL.
Referring to our ACTIVITY/SPORT as danceline makes you look dated.
#2. I have not heard of teams putting Vaseline on their teeth since
back in 1977. Possibly you are confused with synchronized swimmers or gymnastics. But if in fact Vaseline is or was used it possibly could be because when you work out hard, your mouth gets dry...thus no spit.
Have you ever tried to smile through a grueling work out? Your lips might stick to your teeth too....it's not from sticky lip gloss. (Enter game show buzzer here.)
#3. As one who loves the ACTIVITY/SPORT it is frustrating when we are always compared to other sports to point out our differences. It would be like comparing baseball and wrestling. They are very different. Yes, performance presence (smiles/use of make-up) does come in to play as what we do is visually appealing. Since you brought up gymnastics as a comparison, did you watch the Olympics? All the gymnasts had glitter in their hair...cute little bows on their pony tails, make-up, etc. Did this take away from their athleticism?
#4. As long as you like to compare....answer this. Why should synchronized swimming be called a sport over dance team? They both use music, they both perform and compete, they both involve athletic skills, they both are artistic, they both wear costumes, they both use make up and stage presence, they both have subjective judges. Please point out the differences??
The same questions could be raised over competitive ice skating.
#5. We the coach's and participants in dance team know that we clearly don't fit in anywhere. We feel we are a cross between an art form and athletics. Each school in the state handles dance team differently. My school puts us under Sports. We are under Sports for our budget, our award letters, the sports banquet, etc. I actually was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Brainerd High School as a Dance Team Coach. That probably has a few of the "Good Ole Boys" rolling over in their graves.....and I am sure it infuriated our local sports writer as well.
#6. When dance team went into the MSHSL, head coaches were required to have a coaching license. Activity advisors do not need them.
#8. There is a move on right now for dance team to become an Olympic Sport. I have actually been called to help write the judging sheet for the proposal. I wonder if dance team ever goes into the Olympics as a Sport, if then the Trib will give it proper coverage.
#10. I have had numerous athletes who play volley ball, swim, play tennis, run track, etc., who in the winter months participate in dance team. 100% of them would tell you that dance team is by far the HARDEST. I realize that you referenced this in your article (the fact that we work hard) but you then negated it with your comments.
* I am sorry if my anger is showing through in my response, but for someone who has devoted her life to dance team, and knows how very hard we have worked to overcome stereo types, it hurts when they are thrown back in our face. We just want a little bit of respect. The game show buzzer is probably what set me off. Too bad I don't have a GONG for you!! The trib can cover dance team where ever they like ....but please stop with the slams that set us back 20 years. If your the sports editor...I would just soon NOT be covered on the sports page. Fun to tell my side...it is however hard to get into a battle of wits with an unarmed man.

Cindy Clough
Head Coach Brainerd High School Kixters
Executive Director Just For Kix Dance Camps
Founder and Past President, Minnesota Association of Dance Teams
MSHSL Advisory Board
National Council of Drill Team Camps
Dance Spirit Magazine Advisory Board

Brian Wicker wrote:
Dear Cindy,
Thank you for sending the most reasonable, insightful response to my article to date. Your anger hardly showed through, except for your closing "battle of wits" line, but you showed admirable restraint up until that point.
Our difference of opinion can essentially be boiled down to one question: What is a sport? Everyone brings something different to the definition.
I know dance team members work hard, practice long hours, possess athletic skills and perform with injuries, and they are to be encouraged and congratulated for it. I have no quarrel with any of that.
But I have acted in plays, danced on stage in Twin Cities theater productions and played high school and college sports. When I compare those experiences, however, I still come up with the same opinion: Dance team is competitive choreography, a fine and worthwhile pursuit ¯ but there are too many elements of theater and/or performance art for me to consider it a sport. Costuming and appearance are too important a part of the judging process, unlike most other sports.
Most team sports also have identifiable participants with individual brilliance, that's who get the athletic scholarships ¯ while dance team's emphasis is on synchronization. To me, dance team is more a performance or a demonstration, offering a vastly different sort of competition than in most sports.
Ultimately, whether dance team is called a sport, activity or something else is of little importance. You have dedicated yourself to something and had a rewarding experience, which is what all school activities should be about.
Take care. Thank you for writing.
Sincerely,
Brian Wicker
Star Tribune Sports

Dear Brian......
Thanks for responding. I was so surprised!! Sorry about the Battle of Wits line. I promise I will quit bothering you.
The definition of a sport is actually being hammered around by the National Title IX Coordinator, Ms. Mary Francis O'Shea, in Chicago. So far, what I have been told is that for dance team to be considered a sport, the groups must compete MORE than they perform. Many teams are doing so by having Friday night quad and duo meets and totally eliminating performances that are not judged. (I still don't think her ruling will change anything however.)
I agree with you on many of your points, and I again reiterate that I really don't get that hung up on what dance team is considered, a sport or activity. I disagree with your thought that there is a great deal of emphasis on costuming and make up. Judges are not allowed to judge on costume at all. There is a category called presentation, worth a total of 20 points. Energy, Stamina, Confidence, and Stage presence are all part of that 20 point category. (So you can see, not that much emphasis is put on the make up and smile thing.) That is a general misconception.
Also just so you are aware, MN rules are so strict in regards to costuming. There can be no flesh colored fabric to simulate bare skin. Costumes must be high necks and no cut always. No bare midriffs allowed. These rules were created by coaches to police schools who were making improper decisions in regards to costuming and giving all teams a bad wrap. In the eyes of other states around the country, we are sometimes laughed at for our conservatism....but we are working hard to improve the image of dance teams.
Scholarship: There are full ride scholarship to Division 1 schools as well as smaller schools for dance team. Dancers are recruited now, not to the extent of high school athletes, but there are future opportunities for those who stand out. Also, dance teams are now given All Conference awards to individual dancers who stand out, based on coaches recommendations and how the team places in their conference. (The higher the place in the conference, the more all conference dancers you can select.)
Thanks for your respect of how hard we work. An interesting tid bit, I have had 2 kids go on to ROTC training. In basic training they both got the highest fitness award for their platoons. They asked them what have you done to get this fit? Dance team.
I am interested in hearing what you feel about the comparison between Dance Team and Skating, or S. Swimming. I fail to see the difference and wonder why sports editors see them in a different light.
I feel that the reputation of pom teams and dance teams from years ago has really hurt the current reputation of present teams. The stigma keeps holding on. I appreciate your reply and I can never miss an opportunity to enlighten people on the many changes of dance team over the years.

Sincerely,
Cindy Clough
P.S.------If you ever want to do a story regarding dance team (even as an ART) give me a call. 218-829-7107

Dear Cindy,
Thank you for your second informative e-mail.
Anytime one ventures an opinion in the paper, the replies come back in three basic forms: those who agree, those who disagree and those who violently disagree and want to hang you by your thumbs (or worse). The latter don't really want discussion, just your hide and a chance to vent.
You perhaps did, too, but your letter had far more information than anger and those always are the responses well worth returning.
Your information about the considerations by the Title IX coordinator were interesting to me. I've seen too many schools (more in college, but HS, too) categorize dance team as a sport, not to promote it but merely to avoid adding a costlier girls'/women's sport in trying to achieve Title IX compliance. I think that sort of application of "the rules" does a disservice to women on both sides of the sports/activity fence.
I smiled as I read about Minnesota's conservative costuming rules. That sounded familiar. I covered the state girls' gymnastics meet for several years, where one girl lost points during her floor exercise routine one year for being "too sexy". I had a lot of red-faced judges stammering as I asked where/how the wholesome sexy/too sexy line was drawn.
You asked about the differences I saw between dance team, skating and synchronized swimming. Skating still falls on the competition side of the competition/performance line for me, with judges rewarding more difficult tricks. I can't make a case, personally, about synchronized swimming being a sport. To my eye, it strikes me as having more in common with ballet than sports ¯ and those who perform ballet or synchronized swimming do have some superb athletic skills ¯ but the overall effect seems more performance than competition.
How difficult is it to name All-Conference performers? I would think that would be stressful for a coach, without being able to show statistical evidence to back his/her decisions that are available in most sports, to single out performers after striving for uniformity in performance all season.
Watch out for those ROTC recruiters, however. Now that they know the secret for fitness, they'll be knocking on your door, looking for more names!
Thanks again for your thoughts. Best of luck with your teams in the future (and your information campaigns with sportswriters!).
Sincerely,
Brian Wicker
Star Tribune Sports