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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (February 16, 2010) – Milligan College’s athletics program will receive a boost next season in their spirit division with the addition of dance as the college’s 23rd intercollegiate sport. Scholarships will be available for new students, beginning fall 2010.
“Athletics is an important component of the student experience at Milligan,” said Mark Fox, vice president for student development. “The dance team, in partnership with Milligan’s cheerleaders, will help support our athletic teams and rally school spirit, as well as enhance our athletic events.”
Ronda Paulson will head up the dance program along with choreographer Macy Garland.
Paulson, who also serves as head cheerleading coach at Milligan, brings several years of experience to the program as a coach and dancer. Prior to joining Milligan’s athletic staff in 2005, Paulson served for five years as head cheerleading coach at Elizabethton High School, where she also taught. Her dance experience includes seven years of instruction at several local studios. In addition, Paulson also has judged dance competitions at the local level.
Garland, a native of Johnson City, began dancing at the age of three for The Dance Company, traveling throughout the country to compete and perform in a variety of venues. Her team ranked fourth at the Universal Dance Association Nationals. She later danced collegiately with the University of Mississippi Rebelettes, where she was selected a CBS Sports Dancer of the Week. In addition to participating in dance, Garland has taught at a number of studios in Johnson City and Oxford, Miss. Garland currently is enrolled in Milligan’s nursing program.
Milligan student groups have organized unofficial dance teams many times over the years to perform at athletic events and cheer on the Buffaloes. While dance is not a sanctioned NAIA sport, Paulson said there are a number of regional and national competitions for collegiate programs.
“Our goal is to take dance at Milligan to the next level,” said Paulson. “We want to not only help lead Milligan in school spirit, but also to display the intense athleticism it takes to dance and eventually compete on a national level.”
Paulson cited a number of quality dance studios in the region as being beneficial in launching Milligan’s program.“There are many opportunities for young ladies to learn dance locally at top-notch studios,” said Paulson. “It is a natural next step for the college to offer these athletes collegiate opportunities close to home. I am excited about the opportunity to build this new program at Milligan.”
For more information, visit www.milliganbuffs.com/dance, or contact Coach Paulson at 423.773.5677 or by email at RPaulson@milligan.edu.