The Sharkettes: Now a student organization

By Isabella Fernadez De Cueto •

The Sharkettes, NSU’s dance team, have transitioned from a sports team under Athletics to a student organization under the Office of Campus Life and Student Engagement.

“Due to the role that the Sharkettes play at student events and in school spirit, this change is more like a natural progression,” said Gerard Wheeler, assistant dean of Student Engagement.

Athletics and the Office of Campus Life and Student Engagement came to this agreement mutually.

“I think they fit best in the student organization realm. There, they will have both better resources and opportunities,” said John Sung, interim director of Athletics.

Wheeler will also act as the executive director of the Sharkettes.

“I’m going to help the Sharkettes with establishing their brand, eliminating barriers and getting them the resources they need. I am also helping them find opportunities to get their names out there, not just on campus but in the local community as well,” Wheeler said.

The biggest change for the Sharkettes is that they will no longer have a head coach. Instead, the Sharkettes will lead themselves and take over the head coach’s responsibilities.

“All of us on the team are going to have to learn choreography, leadership, and social media responsibilities. It will be hard at first, but I think it’s great because we can explore these new roles we wouldn’t have had before and reach new potentials,” said Amaia Flores, Sharkettes member, sophomore dance and communication double major and social media/content creator for Mako Radio.

This newfound responsibility will also impact the Sharkettes’ relationships with one another.

“I think this is going to bring the team so much closer because teamwork is much more important now. We are all going to have to put our best foot forward not just for ourselves but for the team. We have the potential to be great together, so I am excited to see how this comes together,” said Cassidy Tarajos, Sharkettes member and senior psychology major.

A major part of the Sharkettes’ season is performing at NSU basketball games.

“The Sharkettes see basketball season as their time to shine, so it will always be a priority and we are committed to making sure we are a part of the games,” Wheeler said.

The Sharkettes’ involvement in the basketball games raises spirits for players and fans.

“They are a huge part of the energy and atmosphere at our basketball games, so we hope to have them there,” said Robert ‘Bubba’ Baroniel, assistant athletic director of Athletic External Affairs.

The Sharkettes are still in the early stages of their rebranding into a student organization and trying to get their names out there.

“We’ve already been getting more recognition on campus. NSU’s Instagram account posted us for the first time and President Hanbury shook my hand at the Chick-fil-A opening. Things like that have never happened for us and it’s only the start of us establishing ourselves more,” Tarajos said.

The Sharkettes will be have auditions in September and October. For more information and to keep up with the Sharkettes, follow them on Instagram @nsu.sharkettes.

 

Contributed by Bella Giaquinto