Who said dancing isn’t a sport? Well, until this year, it wasn’t officially considered one at NSU, but that is no longer true thanks to the hard work of Elizabeth DiBiase, assistant director for Business Operations, Membership and Marketing in the Office of Campus Recreation.
DiBiase is the head coach of the Sharkettes dance team and the one responsible for the team’s transition from school club in the Office of Student Activities to a part of the Athletics Department.
DiBiase grew up in Cooper City, Fla. where she took dance lessons from the age of four and all throughout high school.
“My mother must have seen potential in me and sent me to dance class,” she said.
She attended multiple dance conventions and competitions while in high school. DiBiase continued her career on the dance team at the University of Central Florida where she received a bachelor’s degree in health science and a master’s degree in health service administration. She also performed in two pregame shows in Miami for Super Bowls XXIX and XXXIII.
This is her second year with the Sharkettes, as she previously served as the team’s advisor when it was a club. DiBiase said she likes being back in the dance world and helping the girls develop.
“In the dance aspect, I try to teach them technique, confidence and poise. And as students, I try to teach them unity and leadership,” she said.
The Athletics Department noticed the dedication, hard work and commitment the dance team showed last year as a club and decided to make them part of the department. The hard work has paid off, but DiBiase isn’t stopping there. She wants the team to be recognized and well-known to the entire NSU community. DiBiase said the team will perform at soccer, basketball and volleyball games and make their presence known at golf tournaments, fundraisers, tailgates, pep rallies and Greek events.
DiBiase said, “We want to engage the student body to have school spirit and come out to the sporting events.”
DiBiase has a plan for the Sharkettes; she wants to make it a program people want to join. Students have asked to join the team after auditions finish in August, so DiBiase is hoping more people audition next year.
“The goal is to get the word out, be visible at all the events, and have a huge turnout for auditions next year and get some really great girls on the team.” DiBiase said.
Two-thirds of the 17 dancers on the team are new. Practices are held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. to accommodate the girls’ class schedules. The team competes all year round and wherever the Athletics Department requests them to appear.
The first month of the season is the most hectic for DiBiase.
“Preparing for auditions, setting meetings to decide practices, having uniform measurements, ordering the uniforms, having the girls get physicals done, and having concussion training — all before we can get started,” said DiBiase.
The passion runs deep for DiBiase and her student athletes, whom she tries to inspire to reach new levels. Now that the Sharkettes are part of Athletics, DiBiase is looking forward to the team’s future opportunities. One thing is for sure: DiBiase’s dedication to dance will never waiver.
