The football and basketball games at the University of Illinois are always filled with excited fans filled with energy. The poms team, the Illinettes, definitely help the crowd maintain its energy throughout the game. They put on an outstanding performance at half time and also dance throughout the entire game. The Illinettes make dancing at the game look effortless, but the reality is that each girl on the team is skilled, athletic and works very hard to dance so well for long periods of time.
Haley Musgrave is a shining member of the Illinettes. Haley is 19-years-old and is currently majoring in pre-education, but plans to switch to elementary education soon. Besides devoting several hours a week to dancing with the Illinettes, she is also a member of Alpha Xi Delta and the student Illinois Education Association National Education Association. Her Campus got the chance to talk to Haley about her experience with dance and the Illinettes.
HC– When did you start dancing?
Haley– I started dancing when I was three-years-old.
HC– Has anyone motivated you to dance?
Haley– No, no one else dances in my family. I motivate myself because I love to dance.
HC– What types of dance have you done?
Haley– I have done jazz, hip-hop, ballet, and then the poms team.
HC– What is your favorite out of all of those?
Haley– I like dancing with the poms team.
HC– When did you start dancing for a poms team?
Haley– My high school team was the first team I was on. I was on the varsity team all four years of high school.
HC– Why did you want to be on the poms team at your high school?
Haley– My high school team was pretty good and I had always liked to compete at my dance studio so I wanted to try to dance and compete for my school.
HC– Do the Illinettes compete?
Haley– No, we just dance at the football and basketball games.
HC– How are the girls on the team?
Haley– We are like a family. I love all of them; they have become my best friends this year.
HC– How do the older girls on the team treat the new and younger members?
Haley– They were very welcoming. There are not any cliques on the team. It is different from high school because in high school there were always cliques between age groups. The Illinettes are not like that.
HC– Do the girls on the team acct differently when it is time to perform at a football or basketball game?
Haley– No, we practice like it is a performance, we go all out. We even practice with the band.
HC– Is there anything the Illinettes do before a game to prepare and get excited to dance?
Haley– No, not really, we just go out and perform.
HC– How do you balance Illinettes, school, friends, and the other organizations you are involved in?
Haley– It is a lot of planning. I have everything I have to do written in a calendar. I also use the time in between classes and practice to get things done.
HC– What are Illinette tryouts like?
Haley– They are stressful. We have to tryout every year unless you have been on the team for three years. About 60 to 70 girls try out and there are 28 spots on the team.
HC– Is there any advice you would give to someone who is interested in being an Illinette?
Haley– They have to be willing to put time into it. The Illinettes is a huge time commitment. It also helps to have a good attitude and be motivated. I would recommend that they go to the informational meeting in March and tryouts in April.
Come and see the Illinettes this fall!