FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fans attending Sacred Heart Athletics contests get so much more than Division I College sports. One of the special features that adds significantly to the game atmosphere is the SHU Dance Team.

The dance team includes 38 members and performs during intermissions, often eliciting the same response from the fans as a diving catch by a SHU receiver or high-flying dunk on the court.

The SHU Dance Team, which became a varsity sport in the Spring of 2020 and celebrates its 30^th anniversary this year, competes at the National Dance Alliance (NDA) Championships in Daytona Beach, Fla., each April. The team competes in three Division 1 categories: jazz, hip hop and spirit rally.

The Pios have had numerous top five and top three placements at nationals. In 2024, the team was runner-up national champions in jazz while taking fourth in hip hop and sixth in spirit rally under head coach Reina Van Florcke, who was a four-year member of the squad before graduating from SHU in 2014. Van Florcke served as an assistant coach at SHU from 2015 to 2019 under Deirdre Hennessey, the Pios' head coach for 20 years.

"There have been many proud moments in my six years as head coach," said Van Florcke. "However, I am most proud of the overall dynamic and culture of the team. We can rely on each other like family while trusting that we are putting in the work outside of practice time to get better. We encourage and motivate each other daily and want to dance for the entire team." 
 

SHU dancers may compete for national titles, but they are also known for their performances and support on campus at home football, basketball and wrestling events in addition to open houses, charity walks, community service gatherings and recruiting events.
Many of the performances provide a form of inspiration, and one of the members of the dance team does so as a true Pioneer. Kevin Munson, a junior from East Patchogue, N.Y., is the first male in the history of the program.

"There is no better feeling than performing at games. The gratitude of coming together with over 30 individuals who strive for the same goal is such a beautiful thing to witness," said Munson, who hopes others will follow in his footsteps. "I have dreamt that Sacred Heart's Dance Team would achieve another male dancer in the future. Though change can be frightening, I hope to inspire others who seek light at the end of the tunnel." 

The team has three practices, one technique class and two strength & conditioning sessions per week on top of any other university events or games.

Rielley Coles was a member of the dance team from 2021 to 2024 and is now an assistant coach while working towards a graduate degree. The two-time team captain is thrilled to be able to give back to the program that served her so well.

"The SHU dance team has changed my life for the better. When I was a little girl, I attended football games here at SHU while my brother was playing on the team. My favorite part was watching the dance team perform, as I was a little dancer myself. Never in a million years did I think that I would be one of those older girls on the field let alone become captain and a coach," said Coles.

"We have made a name for ourselves not only around the University but also on the national collegiate level. Every team member has a common goal in wanting to push themselves to be nationals ready all year."

The dancing Pios were front and center of intermissions during the football team's 40-14 win over Georgetown on a hot Campus Field during Homecoming Weekend on Sept. 14. The high temperatures did nothing to suppress the spirit on the sidelines or the playing field.

"I always have the same expectations for each routine. That we put our best on the floor and you feel like you left everything out there when finishing a performance. We practice efficiently, study film and make adjustments and get better each time we dance. We want to be proud of each other at the end," said Van Florcke.
 
 
SHU Dance's Recent Accomplishments
2024 - 6^th place in D1A Spirit Rally, 4^th place in D1 Hip Hop, 2^nd place in D1 Jazz
2023- 4^th place in D1 Jazz and D1 Hip Hop
2022- 7^th place in D1 Jazz and Hip Hop
2021- 3^rd place in D1 Jazz and 2^nd place in D1 Hip Hop