So…I was surfing Youtube, looking for some stepping that would be suitable for my new blog on Non-Greek step teams (NGST’s). I came across this video and thought it might be a good candidate for the Roll Call spotlight. Their intro was minimal-they tore out of bags to the Lion King score which left me wondering what exactly the theme is if there is even supposed to be one. At the end of he show a voice-over tells them congratulations for officially becoming members of the ASA so I guess the show was their “induction”. A few moments into the video I heard a young lady proclaim, “These are my Africans!”…I concluded that ASA (which is in the title of video) must stand for African Students Association. With a bit of investigation I found ASA indeed stands for the African Students Association. It’s a socio-cultural organization at the University of Texas at Austin that aims to spread knowledge about Africa and Africa-related issues- gotta love that. This step video features their first ever step team for the organization (shout out to Dr. Shakawa).
So then I got to thinking either they had really a good coach or Africans are adept to all things rhythmic lol because if this is their first team, I look forward to seeing them after getting a few years under their belt. Now I am not saying that they were magnificent, they weren’t.
I Saw:

• Several blades that wouldn’t cut butter
• Some uncertainty in execution
• And a little Orvell Redenbacher (Popcorn)

However:

• They had a big team- more than 10 steppers
• They infused their African heritage into the show
• The show was very entertaining
• They didn’t stagnate like some shows that are step after step after mundane and uneventful step
• And I could tell they had a good time- always important

Plus they had iSpectators there in full affect. I do think they could have better utilized the fact that it was a co-ed team.

Like most NGST’s they appear to have been coached by Greeks or like-minded individuals (i.e. their trains and probate-like line up stance). They also had steps that were very reminiscent of some Greek steps (not necessarily a good or bad thing), and they looked better than some Greek teams (sad but true). I have coached and advised step teams for almost 6 years now so some things start to look the same if not done with intensity, clean execution, and personality. I think this team captured any two of those three at any given time throughout the show.

What did this team do well, not so well?

Did I overlook anything?

Who’s the best NGST you’ve seen?