X-plorettes move and groove through service

By Mary Nubla
Collegian Reporter
March 1, 2006

They are a familiar sight at every football and basketball game, but the La Salle dance team, now known as the La Salle X-plorettes, do more than students may think. Formed in 1980, the X-plorettes have come a long way since its days as an extracurricular activity. Now a part of Athletics, the team has helped raised money for a variety of causes, and this past year has done something few dance teams in the area can say they’ve done—performed at the Wachovia Center.

Under the leadership of senior captain Joanna Nicodemo and assistant captains Angela Verrastro and Regina Giebel, the 21 girls who form the team have performed at various events throughout the year. This year started off with a performance for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International’s Walk to Cure Diabetes. Not only did they start the walk, but the girls made their way through the three-mile course and helped raise $1.5 million for the foundation. In November, the X-plorettes presented a showcase for “Actions Not Words” to fight against violence at Rosemont University.

The biggest reward the X-plorettes received, however, was the chance to dance at a Philadelphia 76ers game on Feb. 3, 2006. Public Relations Representative Lauren Yabut contacted the NBA team and worked out deals with their Corporate Sales Manager for two months. Through advertising and ticket sales, the X-plorettes raised $1,200 for the team and in return, were invited to perform at the pre-game show and the half-time show, as well.

“We were so excited,” Yabut said. “The day of our performance, the team gathered at our captain’s house, which really built team spirit and confidence.”

Despite the excitement in the air, there was also a nervous tension while they waited for the announcer to call them out onto the court.

“As soon as we got onto the floor and the music started, we danced our hearts out,” Yabut said.

The girls hope that by getting their name known and spending time helping various causes they will garner more respect and support from the University and Athletics.

“[We] are trying to show not only the school, but the community as well, how much we love dancing and how far we want to take the team,” Yabut said.

Practices are proof that each of the team members is in this for the long haul. The team gathers every Tuesday and Thursday for three hours of stretching, warm-ups, technique work, learning new routines and conditioning older routines until they are perfected.

While they practice the dances to perfection in hopes of competing in national competitions, the X-plorettes have also organized free dance camps for local elementary, middle and high school students during the football and basketball seasons. With a set-up of three different camp dates, dance team members volunteered time out of their busy schedules and worked with camp participants. Recently, on Feb. 18, the dance team looked on proudly as the camp participants performed at the men’s basketball team against Dayton.

Coming up next for the lively X-plorettes is a performance at the famed SGA Basketball Marathon, which benefits the American Cancer Society. They are also working on putting a team together to play in the marathon.

Any female who is interested in trying out for the X-plorettes should take note. Fliers will be announcing try-out dates for next year’s team in late March and early April.

nublam1@lasalle.edu