Men's Game - November 17th

The Men's Basketball team did a great job last night winning a tight game against University of Maryland Eastern Shore. We really hope the crowd continues to show up - it makes the games atmosphere so much better!!

Our DT did a great job with their performance too! Check it out:

DT DOES MEN'S HOME OPENER! -Dance Freshman, Becca

Holy shmollies! I don't know where to start! These past few months at AU and with dance team have been more amazing than I could have ever imagined. Growing up in a "dance studio" setting, I never experienced much of a team atmosphere, so when I became a part of the spirit program it was a huge change. This change was definitely for the better and immediately when I joined this incredible group of people a family bond began to grow. We spend hours in the library together, workout in the gym together, go on TDR dates, and so on. At practice you can always count on encouragement from your teammates to push harder, dance stronger, and smile bigger and this, at times, is the sole reason you keep going.

This past Friday we performed at the Men's Basketball Team Home Opener, doing a routine choreographed by our own captains, Francesca and Lyndsey, and alumna, Jackie. What a great experience! The arena was packed, the crowd was pumped, and the basketball team played hard and won. It was such a great feeling to be out on the court cheering on the team, and to hear the crowd roar when they stole the ball or scored. When it came time to perform we were buzzing with nerves and excitement, but we took the floor like it was our job. At the end of the game, we lined up and said goodbye to the children that had come for elementary school night, and even took pictures with them! Overall, it was a fantastic night and I cannot wait for the rest of the season.

Keep whippin yo hair:)
Becca

My First American Madness- AU Cheer Junior, Dianne

Last night was truly something else! I forgot what it feels like to perform in front of a crowd and the adrenaline rush that comes along with it. For the past few weeks, we have been drilling our tumbling, stunt sequences, dances, and pyramids over and over again for a performance that lasts two minutes and thirty seconds. Crazy, I know but what a lot of people don't realize is that a lot of injuries, sweat, blood, and tears went into that routine. At times, we came across a few rough patches but it was nothing we couldn't handle as a team. You'd be surprised of what a few rounds of duck duck goose could do.

As a transfer student, I thought of cheerleading as a way to meet people and feel out AU, I didn't expect to develop such a close relationship with the people on the team but I did and I couldn't be happier. American Madness was a learning experience and a lot of fun. I can't wait to see what the rest of the season is going to be like, especially NATIONALS

Love you all :)

Dianne

American Madness 2010

Our 2010 American Madness Routine was a hit! The teams worked so hard, and all of that work paid off. Check out our routines here, and make sure to join us at the

Men's Home Opener, this Friday at 7:30pm in Bender!

We had some help from some of the Men's Basketball team too!

A Month of Madness; My First Perfomance! AUDT Freshman, Alexandra

What a month!! And what a night! We have finally had our first official performance of the 2010-2011 season! For the past month, we have worked long and hard on the most skill-heavy and physically demanding American Madness routine to date. And tonight, all the time and effort we put into it has paid off; it was fantastic!

After about a month into the season, I realized that the American University Dance Team was going to be a lot more than I bargained for. Back in high school, I took dance classes for about 4 hours a week, at MOST. I am now practicing 10 hours a week, and that's considered short! With games and fundraising events thrown into the mix, dance team takes up most of my free time. It was very difficult for me to get into this new schedule. I really struggled, and I got down on myself a lot early on because I didn't feel as experienced or as "good" as everyone else. But I would've never been able to get through it all if it weren't for the unending support and friendship of the girls on the team. Almost all of us have only known each for a few months, some even less than that, and it really feels like they are already my best friends. If it weren't for them, I don't know if I would've been able to make it this far!

For the past two days, I have been shaking in my boots. I never get nervous when it comes to performing in front of people. And for some reason, I wanted to puke about three minutes before we had to go out and perform tonight. The team and I have all worked so hard on this American Madness routine, and I was so scared that after all of our hard work, I was going to mess something up. But once I stepped out on the floor and saw all of the cheering fans, I couldn't help but smile. I realized that even though this dance team is more difficult, strenuous, and time consuming than any other type of dancing I have done in my life, it all leads up to the same thing - the final performance. When you're standing in front of your peers in your your final pose, out of breath, and the crowd is cheering for you; that moment makes it all worth it. Knowing that you put your all into something you love so much so that other people can enjoy it too; that's what we do. That's what dancing is all about. And that's why I'm here.

So, here's to the start of a new generation of AU Spirit, and to many more fantastic performances to come!

Much Love,

Alexandra

From the Beijing Olympic Village - Cheer Junior, Clay

I can remember this time last year perfectly - especially the attempt at a shoulder stand with Connor. American Madness is the first game of Cheer season: it's the test to set the standard for our next routine and most importantly, it shows us how hard we need to work for Nationals.

As I'm studying abroad in China for this semester (Don't tell the CCP that I'm doing this right now!)I realized how much I miss the team. I work out with the mindset that I need to stay fit to come back to cheer and ready to kick butt at Nationals - last year was merely a practice run. We did a great job, but none of us knew what to expect in the division we competed in. And now it's time for American Madness.

It's a night where those who come out to get free food and tshirts and to support the basketball teams get something they don't expect - Cheer and dance routines. It's not even 3 minutes of a routine, but it makes an impression on all who see it. They see flips, they see girls in big pyramids, they see guys who aren't afraid to show off their skills, and they see a group of 30 people who keep a smile on their face even if a stunt goes awry.

But Cheer and Dance, things won't go awry if you don't let them. Go out there, don't stop, get it get it, and do it like y'all do it in your sleep.

See ya in a few months!

Good Luck at American Madness!!- Dance Junior Kelsey

Ciao AU Spirit members and fans!

I am so excited to be back writing on the blog for the 2010-2011 season! However, this year is a little different for me. I am currently spending my fall semester studying abroad in Rome, Italy, and I have to say, I am having the time of my life!

Roma is now my second home and although I miss DC and DT, I am loving the study abroad experience. It is so amazing to be able to travel to all different countries within Europe just as easily as we would travel from DC to New York! The next stop on my European tour is Prague! However, a piece of me is missing when I know that my teammates are hard at work, practicing in Bender, and I'm not there with them.

Reppin DT at the Piazza Di Spangia (Spanish Steps) in Roma!

Thanks to Facebook and email, I have been able to keep in touch with the returning members of the team, and virtually meet the new rookies! I want to thank Alex, Lyndsey, Francesca and everyone else for keeping me in the loop and making me feel just as much a part of the team as I am when I'm actually in the States.

Tomorrow is the official beginning of AU Spirit's season, with our annual American Madness Pep Ralley in Bender Arena! I want to wish all the members of AU Dance and Cheer the best of luck with their first performance of the season! I have gotten to watch a sneak peak video of their routine and it looks AMAZING! I know you girls (and guys!) are going to be great. Enjoy this performance and take it all in, because American Madness is one of our most fun performances of the season! I wish I could be there dancing with you tomorrow!

While I am having an amazing time here, I cannot wait to return to my Spirit family in January for the remainder of basketball season and our Nationals season! I know AU Spirit is an extraordinary group of individuals this year and I am expecting amazing things from us this season!

Good luck and I will be there dancing with you in spirit!

I love and miss you all!

Arrivederci!

xoxo Kelsey

We're Back!

We've been slacking, but we're now we're back! Our season is off to a great start with two, almost brand new, teams. They've been working hard and are so ready for the basketball season ahead and nationals 2011! We will have posts from members and videos to share soon but, in the meantime, make sure to come to

AMERICAN MADNESS
Wednesday, November 10
from 7-8pm in Bender Arena

and the

MEN'S HOME OPENER

Friday, November 12

at 7:30pm against St. Francis

in Bender Arena

See you there!