Keep SJSU's Dancesport Team Accessible to Every Dancer

SJSU Dancesport is San Jose State’s collegiate ballroom dance team and our main focus is creating a welcoming, inclusive, and beginner friendly environment. SJSU Dancesport was founded by previous SJSU students and our current club advisor Albert “Bud” Ayers back in 2009. They were united by one main reason: a passion for spreading their love for dance. This sentiment remains our mission as a Club Sport, and making dance accessible for college students is our main aspiration. To this day, our core values are openness, non-judgement, accessibility and friendliness for beginners.

One of the ways we support new dancers and encourage participation across the entire student body is by welcoming anyone onto the team without auditions or tryouts. We also introduce students to collegiate ballroom competitions: friendly competition environments where beginner and more advanced college students come and dance together. It is a core belief of ours that no dancer shall be limited in their access to affordable dance lessons based on their existing skills and experience.

We aim to foster an environment where new dancers feel comfortable participating in this sport and to remove financial barriers where we can. Many students already face financial strains that come with college and may not have the means to purchase quality equipment which is vital to their health and longevity. Most notably, having quality dance shoes is important to prevent injury and can even impact ability to execute correct dance technique. These barriers can cause discouragement, doubts on joining dance or an eventual decision to not proceed in dancing. Dance is art, self expression, and self care: all of which are important for student wellbeing and should not be out of reach for students due to costs. Donations will go directly to eliminating these barriers and making ballroom dance more accessible to students. This money will help us provide new dancers with resources needed for success and physical health, encouraging best practice without adding financial strain.

Specific things we are raising money for are quality dance shoes, competition fees, travel support, and better compensation for our incredible coaches, without whom we would be lost! Supported dancers are more invested and excited about dance, are practicing harder, more successful at competitions, and proudly represent San Jose State University and the Spartan community.

Give by December 1!