Photo Credits: Brandon Roberts
The Ladies of Sparta Semiprofessional Dance Team is making its way into the spotlight as the team takes on performances beyond basketball season.
The Ladies of Sparta were formerly known as a strictly basketball dance team here at NSU. However, they have recently performed at events outside of basketball season, the most notable of these being an appearance on ABC 13News Now, the Freshman Class of 2028 pep rally, and the “Battle of the Bay” volleyball game versus Hampton University. They have performed at Spartan basketball games for the past two years, dancing for media timeouts, on the sidelines, and during the game openers.
According to the team’s Instagram page, @nsuladiesofsparta, the dance team originated on April 20, 2022. Though this is the team’s third year on campus, The Ladies are still building their presence. When asked if he knew anything about The Ladies of Sparta, Matthew Taft, an NSU Senior, responded, “no, I’m not familiar,” but he also stated wouldn’t mind learning more about them.
Candice Bervine is one of the coaches for The Ladies of Sparta. She explained who this team of women is, stating that they “are a semiprofessional basketball dance team” and that “[the coaches] are now rebranding them as a semiprofessional sports dance team” as a result of their being invited to perform for volleyball games this season.
Bervine wants people to know that “The Ladies are very talented young women. Apart from being great dancers they are all of different majors, and are involved in different organizations on campus. They are absolutely multifaceted. They are smart, intelligent Black women, and they are a powerhouse.”
She also said that the sky is the limit for The Ladies of Sparta.
Jordan Missy Whitehead has danced for The Ladies of Sparta for three years. She took on her role as captain of The Ladies of Sparta because she wants to make sure everybody always feels heard, while also pushing everybody to do their ultimate best as her sisters.
The team has supporters on campus, from the students to those who they perform for. The NSU Women’s Basketball Team’s own Skye Robinson, said that, “It’s real nice to see the support system, especially when you see the cheerleaders and The Ladies of Sparta.”
She also expressed that, “It brings more people to the games, so it’s, it’s kind of inviting.” NSU Senior Asja Whitaker called The Ladies “one of the hype-women” groups at school sporting events. She said that their performances “hype up the crowd.
The Ladies of Sparta have an upcoming appearance on Wednesday, at the next home basketball game.
Spartan Echo 