*Photo courtesy of Concordia University. Pictured is Freshman White Squad dancer, Olivia Bassier.
While St. Ambrose’s varsity team continues to dominate the floor with back-to-back NAIA National Titles, few realize the talent behind the scenes on their junior varsity squad.
This rising powerhouse is quietly making a name for itself, showcasing incredible skill and potential that demonstrates just how successful the St. Ambrose’s Dance Program is.
The St. Ambrose Dance Team is unique in its structure, featuring two competitive squads: the varsity squad, known as the Blue Squad, and the junior varsity squad, known as the White Squad. Both teams compete in the same NAIA division, often going head-to-head in competitions.
Teamwork and Dedication
Sophomore White Squad dancer, Grace Berman, explains what it is like to work with the junior varsity squad to prepare for big events and performances.
“We spent hours rehearsing together, focusing on every detail—from perfecting choreography to perfecting our timing,” says Berman. “We also built trust by encouraging each other and pushing one another to improve, working together made the whole experience feel like a family effort.”
The White Squad is traditionally viewed as a junior varsity squad, their role within the entirety of the dance team has evolved. This group’s evolution is quietly leaving a mark, proving that success is not limited to one team.
However, St. Ambrose is the only university in the NAIA that has a junior varsity team that competes alongside other universities’ varsity teams.
The junior varsity squad’s commitment to excellence, combined with the guidance of their experienced coaches, led them to place 7th out of 20 varsity teams at a competition earlier this season.
Coach Olson’s Journey
As a former St. Ambrose dancer herself, White Squad Coach Ally Olson, was once a member of the junior varsity squad before earning a spot on the varsity team.
“Having been in their shoes, I know that it takes a lot of time and hard work to be successful on an SAU dance team. This experience allowed me to be empathetic while still setting high expectations that the dancers need to grow and uphold the SAU dance standards.”
Her journey from JV to varsity provides her with a unique perspective, thus drawing from this experience to coach with empathy, discipline, and a drive for success.
“I think the SAU dance teams’ success can be attributed to the positive atmospheres we create in practice that help us work towards a unified goal. We all recognize that each person is valuable to the team in different ways and that we each have to put our all in during practices to accomplish our goals.
“So, I prioritized team building and creating an energetic and motivating atmosphere in practices so that each person knew their role and how important it was to the team.”
The Team’s Personal Growth
The dancers on the White Squad agree with Coach Olson’s view, sharing how being part of a competitive team has shaped their experience at St. Ambrose.
For Junior White Squad dancer, Alyssa Below, the experience is one of immense personal growth.
“Being on the JV Dance Team was so positive for me personally because I get to have friends that have similar experiences as me,” says Below. “It was a good time commitment as it kept me busy and healthy but not stressed to the point of not doing well in school.”
Sophomore White Squad dancer, Evelyn Shaw, describes her experience as supportive and uplifting.
“Personally, coming into the dance team at Ambrose I didn’t have a lot of confidence in myself as a dancer, but because the team and coaches here are so supportive I have become a lot more confident in my performances.”
Freshman dancer, Lilly Loewenberg, the newest member of the White Squad, says she feels belonging from the team and has grown along the way.
“Being on the dance team helped me grow both personally and professionally because dance team is a team sport but also requires individual talents,” says Loewenberg. “I feel I really came out of my shell around my team and it really helped me to feel more comfortable and supported around such a great team.”
This year’s White Squad reflects its strength and vision.
The inclusion of a junior varsity team that competes alongside varsity squads brings an added layer of intensity and competition to the St. Ambrose Dance Program.
A Strong Future For The Program
While there are distinct differences between the varsity and junior varsity teams—mainly in terms of experience and the level of competition—the two squads share a common goal: success.
