The Boys Are Outnumbered

Joey Geurts at practice.

The faces of the Utah State University hip-hop team are constantly changing. Each fall semester, new students audition to fill the spots of those who graduated or have moved on.

Though the members have changed, the trend has remained the same – the majority of those who tryout are girls.

Last year’s team had seven male members. This year, the number has dwindled to two.

“It does hurt the stereotype that dance is only for girls,” said Krissy Smith-Fry, director for the USU dance teams.

“Because of the stereotype, boys are more intimidated because girls usually come with years of experience,” she said.

Since starting the teams in 2007, Fry has witnessed the low numbers of men at tryouts firsthand.

 “For me, it is equal opportunity,” she said, “hard work, dedication and the passion to be here are just as important as talent."

Fry believes that Davis Gerlds and Villami Matangi, the two men on this year’s team, are examples of such passion.

After the team’s performance at the Howl, however, Gerlds decided to spend more time choreographing and performing with My Bad Crew, the new break dancing group.

“The choreography for the Vilociti performances was not made with the boys in mind,” Gerlds said.

My Bad Crew, created this year, is one reason that male numbers on the hip-hop team are so low. In addition to Gerlds, three guys from last year’s Vilociti team opted to join the break dance team instead.

While most agree that this year’s team is undeniably different due to fewer men, not all Vilociti members are in agreement about whether it is better or worse.

Although Brittany Beecher misses the male influence, she acknowledges the benefits to a team made of primarily girls.

“We get less distracted because we are more at the same speed,” she said. “People are more serious, and it’s easier to clean.”

In contrast, Lexi Childs feels that the lack of male influence has affected the team unity.

“It feels less like a family because we are all girls,” Childs said. “We can’t do as much with choreography because there are no boys.”

“It seems very much like a girl’s group this year, “ said Joey Geurts, who left Vilociti to join the new My Bad Crew.

“It’s like being at a girl’s sleepover – I guess it could be fun, but after a day it would get old,” he said.

Geurts feels that while a strong dance background aids in clean choreography, many of the girls lack in hip-hop style.

“Guys add another flavor. None of the girls have a street background,” Geurts said. “There are definite strengths but also definite weaknesses.”

 “I don’t think it’s better or worse. It’s just a different animal.”

(n. sorensen)