Soon the walls of Moody Coliseum will resonate with the rhythmicslapping and stomping of the new Mustang step team. Sarah Jobe andDavenna Ward, co-founders of the team, are excited about itspotential.

“Our school doesn’t have a lot of people who getinto SMU sports. We hope we can get people excited,” Jobesaid.

Shawn Heilbron, the associate athletic director, said the teamis a “fantastic idea.”

“It will generate spirit, increase diversity and hopefullyget students really involved in the game,” he said.

The team will be associated with the athletic department, thoughJobe hopes it will be able to become a part of the spiritorganizations.

Modern step dancing is a mix of African and American influences.Some routines are similar to the “boot dance,” whileother moves are rooted in American vaudeville, where performersslapped their hands to heels, chest and thighs while chanting arhythm or singing a song.

Compared to SMU’s pom squad, Jennifer Jones, theteam’s advisor, said, “The step team’s routinesare more syncopated with some added chanting. The pom squad is moredance oriented.”

Erika Beckles, a senior dance major, will be working with T.K.Stillman to choreograph the team’s routines.

The dancers will be taught a routine during the first part ofthe audition, and then they will try to reproduce the steps after aset practice time.

Jobe says anyone is welcome to try out, and experience is not arequirement. The team’s first performance will be at thebasketball game on Nov. 2.

Auditions for the new team are at 4 p.m. on Sunday.