HISTORY

The University of Northern Iowa "Drill Team" was formed in 1972. The team performed at football and men's basketball games and wore homemade uniforms of purple corduroy skirts, matching vests and gold blouses. At some point in time, the team's name was changed from "Drill Team" to "Pom Squad" then finally becoming known as the "Dance Team" in 1997. Although much of the UNI Dance Team's history is unknown, please find below a list of more recent events and achievements.

2008-2009

Spirit Squad Advisor, Leon Costello

Dance Team Choreography Committee, Jessica Fuller, Trista Powers, Sierra Vanderhelm and Amanda Miller

• At UDA camp in Milwaukee, team earns first place in the home routine and fight song competitions.  Also receives a superior rating for their all around involvement in camp.  Plus the squad earns the Most Improved Program award.
• The dance team earned their highest ever qualification with a fourth place mark.  Earning them a partially paid bid to the 2009 UDA Collegiate Nationals Division I.
• The dance team finished sixth at the UCA/UDA National Championships, its second-highest finish ever. 

2007-2008

Spirit Squad Advisor, Nate Clayberg

Dance Team Choreography Committee, Jessica Fuller, Elizabeth Hackbarth, Trista Powers & Sierra Vanderhelm

• Team raffles off a fishing boat from Waterloo Boats as part of this year's fundraising goals
• The dance team qualifies 7th for the 2008 UDA Collegiate Nationals Division I (highest ever qualification)
• Team advances for the third time in history to the finals round with an 3rd place rank through the semifinals
• UNI Dance Team finishes tied for 8th overall in Div. I at UDA Nationals, their second highest finish

2006-2007

Spirit Squad Advisor, Nate Clayberg

Dance Team Choreography Committee, Kim Gladson, Jessica Fuller, Morgan Havlicek, Katie Kohnert and Aubrey Seltrecht

• Introduction of the new the new Panther Spirit Club fundraising program
• 2005-06 team featured on the cover the 2007 College National Championship brochure
• The dance team qualifies 6th for the 2007 UDA Collegiate Nationals Division I (highest ever qualification)
• Team advances for the second time in history to the finals round with an 8th place rank through the semifinals
• UNI Dance Team finishes 5th overall in Div. I at UDA Nationals, the highest ever finish for the team

2005-2006

Spirit Squad Advisor, Nate Clayberg

Dance Team Choreography Committee, Kim Gladson, Erin Pearson, Katie Kohnert and Morgan Havlicek

• Introduction of the new UNI Spirit Squad web site on www.UNIPanthers.com
• The dance team qualifies 9th for the UDA Collegiate Nationals
• The dance team advances for the first time to the finals round
• Finishes 10th overall in Div. I at UDA Nationals, first time the team returned with a trophy from the event (picture below)

2004-2005

Spirit Squad Advisor, Shandon Dohmen

Dance Team, Coach-Jori Wade Booth

• Introduction of the new UNI Spirit Squad Web site
• 2nd place in home routine at UDA College Camp
• 2nd place in fight song at UDA College Camp
• Awarded overall superior rating and trophy at UDA College Camp
• The dance team joins the UNI Marching Band performing in the first ever Panther Marching Band Spectacular
• For the first time, the UNI Dance Team hires choreographer Stacy Reis to assist with its competition routine
• 12th place finish in Division I Dance at UDA National Competition

2003-2004

Spirit Squad Advisor, Shandon Dohmen

Dance Team Coach-Jori Wade-Booth

• 3rd place in home routine at UDA College Camp
• 2nd place in fight song at UDA College Camp
• Awarded overall superior rating and trophy at UDA College Camp
• 14th place finish in Division I Dance at UDA National Competition

2002-2003

Spirit Squad Advisor, Shandon Dohmen
Dance Team Coach-Jori Wade-Booth

• 3rd place in home routine at UDA College Camp
• Awarded overall superior rating and trophy at UDA College Camp
• Awarded program improvement trophy at UDA College Camp
• 19th place finish in Division I Dance at UDA National Competition
• The UNI Dance Team 200 Club is established for close family and friends of the team

2001-2002

Dance Team Coach-Jori Wade-Booth

• 3 rd place in home routine at UDA College Camp
• Awarded Most Improved at UDA College Camp
• 10th place finish in Division I Dance at UDA National Competition

2000-2001

Spirit Squad Coordinator-Jim Wegener

Dance Team Coach-Jori Wade-Booth

• 3 rd place in home routine at UDA College Camp
• Awarded overall superior rating and trophy at UDA College Camp
• 10th place in Division I Dance at UDA National Competition
• Inside the UNI Dance Team, the annual team newsletter for friends and family is introduced
• After being absent for five years, the UNI Spirit Squad reintroduces its annual team poster

1999-2000

Spirit Squad Coordinator-Jim Wegener

Dance Team Coach-Brad Flanagan

• 3 rd Place in home routine at UDA College Camp
• Awarded overall superior rating and trophy at UDA College Camp
• Winner of the UDA Midwest College Dance Team Championship

1998-99

Dance Team Coach-Heather Lilienthal

• 2nd place in home routine at UDA College Camp
• 1st place in fight song at UDA College Camp
• Awarded overall superior rating and trophy at UDA College Camp
• Voted most collegiate team at UDA College Camp
• Honored with the Leadership Award at UDA College Camp
• Team makes first appearance in school history at the UDA National College Dance Championship and places a respectable 16 th in the Open Division.
• Team adds women's home basketball games to its performance schedule

1997-98

Spirit Squad Coordinator-Karen Dowell

Dance Team Coach-Misty Hade

• 1st place in home routine at UDA College Camp
• 1st place in fight song at UDA College Camp
• Awarded overall superior rating and trophy at UDA College Camp
• Voted most collegiate team at UDA College Camp
• Team name changes form UNI Pom Squad to UNI Dance Team
• Team adds home wrestling matches to its performance schedule