The first university-sponsored drill team will be on the sidelines of ACU sporting events, starting this fall.

Founded by Danielle Burrell, sophomore Ad/PR major from Dallas, the SophistiCats will be performing at basketball, volleyball and football games.

“When you think about excellent women, you think about women who are sophisticated, women who can carry themselves,” Burrell said.

Athletics and Office of Multicultural Enrichment are in partnership to help with the drill team’s launch

Byron Martin, director of Office of Multicultural Enrichment, is a supporter of the program.

“I think going Div. 1 gives us a great opportunity to do something different.” Martin said.

People look forward to the band and drill team during halftimes.

“I came up with the idea in high school, ” Burrell said. “I called up ACU before I even received my awards letter to ask whether there is a dance team at football or basketball games. I felt that it was a necessity.”

Burrell has been working with advisor Byron Martin, as well as Teri Wilkerson from Dance Discovery Studios. Currently, the SophistiCats have a core group and managers. The drill team will be performing at games during halftimes and on the sidelines.

“I just want to gather a group of girls who are not afraid to make a change,” Burrell said. “I want SophistiCats to be a new face for ACU. We want to welcome diversity and make a difference at the games.”

“This is a new and inventive way of support athletics,” Martin said. “It has one of those capabilities to really not just revolutionize, but support and push athletics events that are not heavily attended.”

“People during the games leave during the half time at games,” Burrell said. “I want to change that. Just because we are a Christian school doesn’t mean we can’t have fun. I want to show we can.”

The team of 11 girls is currently looking to increase their members. Tryouts for SophistiCats will begin next week on Monday and Wednesday from 8 – 10 p.m. at the Rec Center.