uta touts plans for homecoming step competition

The University of Texas in Arlington is stepping up Sorry plans for the annual homecoming step show cosponsored by the university greek life office and the National Panhellenic Council. Eight chapters of Divine Nine will be taking part, and the venue has been upgraded to Texas Hall, which Greek Life Coordinator Robert-Thomas Jones sees as indicative of its growing role in the festivities: “I could see the Homecoming Step Show become one of the largest, biggest . . . step shows. We’re trying to pack out Texas Hall.”

Step competitions are always an extravaganza, but technology has raised the bar, and many groups employ "videos, theatrics and other media forms" to enhance the experience of the terpsichorean art yet further. Every group's themes are typically closely-guarded secrets, as a routine takes months to prepare and the shock and awe is as much a part of success as anything else, according to a Delta Sigma Theta sister. Plus, "the cash prizes are hefty," notes an Alpha Kappa Alpha sister, though averring that "the night itself is bigger than the award." That is certainly Mr Jones's aim.

While we're taking on the subject of UTA, just an offhand question. Their mascot is the shorthorn, to be distinguished from the mascot of the flagship of the University of Texas system in Austin, the better-known longhorn. Now, knowing very little about steer and the various benefits of horn length, your correspondent is not in a position to make an educated guess as to which is superior. Anyone better-versed in the matter have a thought?

UTA Shorthorn