To read the full argument on why dance teams should be considered a sport, click the link below: 

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4038444

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an athlete is “a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina. Dancers meet this definition. For years, dance team members have been viewed as pretty girls on the sidelines and are not recognized for the talent and athleticism the sport requires. If the NCAA were to establish a National Championship and become the governing body for teams, dance team members could receive the same benefits as other athletes, including tuition and textbooks being covered. Dance teams do not serve the primary purpose of supporting other teams and have been competing on their own merit for years. After dedicating hours to their universities, they deserve to be recognized as athletes, not marketing tools. I am hoping the NCAA will come to the table, hear our concerns, and be open to change.