Colleges stomp onto campus to compete

By Amanda Thorogood

You may have only seen it in the movies or on TV. You may have even tried to copy its moves on your own.

The “it” is stepping — stomping movements that pay homage to African songs and rituals. The International Greek Council (IGC) and the Student Entertainment Council (SEC) have joined together to bring a stomp show to Rider. “Stomp It Hard on Rider Yard” will take place on Nov. 30 in the Student Recreation Center.

“A lot of people know about stepping from Stomp the Yard and this gives them the opportunity to see where it originated from,” said Carlos Gandulla, a senior public relations major and the vice president of the IGC.

“Stomp It Hard” will include a performance by the Rider Dance team, exhibitions and music by DJ Wes Will from S.W.A.T. Entertainment, but is mainly a competition between Greek organizations in the area.

“It is a way for fraternities and sororities who step to show their unity,” Gandulla said.

The College of New Jersey, Rutgers University at New Brunswick and Temple University are some of the other colleges that are slated to compete at the event.

“Rider has not had a step competition in a long time and we’re glad this one is becoming so publicized,” said Gandulla, who, along with IGC, has been preparing for the event since July.

Gandulla attributes a lot of the hype surrounding the show to the recent success of Phi Beta Sigma, many of whose members are also students at Rider.

“Phi Beta Sigma was the first step team to take it to the next level,” Gandulla said.

He added that members of Phi Beta Sigma are featured in the film Stomp the Yard, a movie that focuses on step teams in a college setting.

Because of the projected size of the event, leaders of IGC sought out assistance from SEC to help publicize the event.

“SEC is always looking for ways to get involved with different events and this was no exception,” said SEC Community Chair Jenny Benak, a junior business education major. “We use our knowledge of event planning to make sure shows and events run as flawlessly as possible.”

Members of the SEC said that this is a dose of culture that Rider students will not want to miss.

“The Rider community should expect to be blown away by the talent and dedication these stepping teams have,” said Kim Fleming, a senior communication major and SEC president. “I think this show is a little more in your face than some of the events we have put on or co-sponsored in the past.”

Doors open for “Stomp it Hard on Rider Yard” at 7 p.m. on Nov. 30 in the SRC. Tickets for the event go on sale Nov. 15 at the BLC ticket booth. Rider students are permitted one guest per Rider ID. Rider students receive free admission; all other tickets are $5.