About 4,197 people streamed into the O'Connell Center on Saturday night to see nine of the nation's best step teams face off in the 20th Annual Florida Invitational Step Show hosted by UF's Black Student Union. Each fraternity and sorority performing in the show was invited by the UF chapter of their organization. No UF teams performed at the event.
"Our show is prestigious," said Sauntel Richardson, a member of BSU's Special Events Committee. "Not just anyone can step, they have to be the best of the best."
The energy was almost palpable among cheering spectators, many of whom wore shirts adorned with Greek letters.
The show was judged by UF alumni and hosted by Columbus Short, who has appeared in such movies as "Stomp the Yard" and "Save the Last Dance 2." Between performances, audience members shouted fraternity and sorority chants and danced in unison to the various rap and hip hop songs filling the arena.
"Most everyone in the crowd is Greek, so they are going to be rooting for their own brothers or sisters," Richardson said.
Richardson said the show is BSU's biggest event of the year because of the time and money spent. Awards were given to first, second and third place teams in both the fraternity and sorority divisions.
The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity chapter from Clark University in Atlanta, Ga., earned first place for their rendition of a graduation ceremony from "Alpha University."
"It was the first time stepping for three of our members," said Cameron Fulford, a member on the team.
Second place went to the Under Pressure step team of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity from New Jersey, while third place was given to the Chi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi from Edward Waters College in Jacksonville.
"Stepping is an art," said Isaac Mireku, who won second place with Under Pressure. "It takes a lot of dedication and hard work. Some people do have raw talent, but for most it's all about the effort you put into it."
In the sorority division, the Kappa Epsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority from Florida State University took the top spot, after performing as hotel clerks dressed in red and gold in their "Be Our Guest" routine. The routine also included popular hits such as "Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It" by Dem Franchize Boyz and "Diva" by Beyoncé.
"Some of us have been stepping for a long time, but most of us got involved through our sorority," Janeca Willis, an FSU finance senior. The Kappa Nu Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority from University of Washington in Seattle earned second place.
Like many of the teams at the event, the sorority had to fundraise to afford the trip to Gainesville."We held social events and car washes to raise money," said Danielle Wilson, member of Zeta Phi Beta and a University of Washington senior.
Third place was awarded to the St. Louis All-Star Team of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. "The show was a huge success, and the teams were great," said Shanae Staples, director of the event.
BSU began planning for the event in May, Staples said.
"It was an excellent performance that showed the creativity and diversity of the different organizations," said Esmond Johnson, a University of Tampa senior who attended the event.
