LETTERS: TAKE DANCE TEAM TO BIG DANCE TOO

To the editor:

Without question, this year's Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball team has had a remarkable season. The team's accomplishments are an inspiration for all Southeast Missouri students to raise the bar for their own goals and expectations of success.

I recently enjoyed the championship celebration held at the Show Me Center Friday. The program included an impressive display of student talent by the school pep band, cheerleaders, dance team and video services.

Many of the evening's speakers pointed out that success at the national level is the result of a team effort by the players, coaches, managers, school administrators, spirit groups and loyal fans.

There has been a sense of family and community among the individuals and groups who have followed the ball team throughout their season. That is why I think it was inappropriate for the university to send only two of the three spirit groups to the NCAA tournament game in Utah. I suspect the tournament spectators were impressed with the outstanding talents of our ball players, pep band musicians and cheerleaders. It is a shame they don't know we have an outstanding dance team too.

A former men's basketball coach, Bob Cradic, helped organize the first Southeast Missouri State University dance team in 1972. The performing group was designed to help add energy, enthusiasm and entertainment to the Southeast ball games. I was a member of the dance team from 1972 to 1974. Southeast dancers have cheered for their teams and traveled to major events with the teams for the last 27 years. In recent years, they have also represented Southeast Missouri State University as finalist in the National College Dance Team competition in Orlando, Fla. The performing dance group has proven it is among the best in the nation.

I realize that at the NCAA tournament floor space is very limited, but I have seen dancers on the court from other schools such as MU, Oklahoma State and Florida in the recent telecast of the tournament.

May I suggest that the next time the Southeast team and fans go to the Big Dance, they take their dancers too.

DARCY MORGAN

Chaffee