You’ve seen them on the sidelines of Lane Stadium when "Enter Sandman" starts. The stadium literally shakes under 65,000 sets of feet, and right there in the eye of the storm is the Virginia Tech dance team, known officially as the HighTechs. Most people think they just show up, look sharp in maroon and orange, and do a few synchronized kicks. Honestly? That couldn't be further from the truth.
These athletes are basically the glue of the Hokie spirit program. They aren't just "game day entertainment." They are a highly technical, competitive squad that spends more time in Cassell Coliseum than most of the student body spends in the library.
The HighTechs Identity Crisis
People often confuse the HighTechs with the cheer squad or the Highty-Tighties (the regimental band). Let’s clear that up right now. The HighTechs are the official dance team of Virginia Tech Athletics. They operate under the Spirit Program alongside the cheerleaders and the HokieBird, but their skill set is rooted in elite-level jazz, hip hop, and contemporary dance.
Coach Kelly Krantz currently leads the team, and she doesn't take it easy on them.
Being a HighTech isn’t a hobby. It's a job. A typical week involves roughly 18 hours of practice, not including the mandatory weight lifting sessions and the actual games. If you're on this team, your social life is basically your teammates. They travel to away football games, perform at every home men’s and women’s basketball game, and still have to maintain a 2.0 GPA—though most of them aim way higher than that.
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What the Audition Process Is Actually Like
If you think you can just walk onto the Virginia Tech dance team because you were "pretty good" in your hometown studio, you're in for a massive reality check. The audition process for the 2025-2026 season, held in late April at Cassell Coliseum, is a multi-day gauntlet that breaks even the best dancers.
They don't just look for rhythm. They look for specific, high-level technical skills that are non-negotiable.
- The Turns: You need a triple and quad pirouette just to get in the room. They also look for two 8-counts of turns in second (ala seconde) and reverse directional turns.
- The Power: We're talking headsprings, kip-ups, and aerials on either side.
- The "VPI": This is their signature band sideline. You have to know it perfectly.
- The Fight Song: You must know the words to "Tech Triumph." If you're pantomiming the lyrics, the judges will catch you.
It's a "single take" world for those who audition via video. No edits allowed except for transitions between genres. It’s brutal. One stumble in your jazz combo and your chances are basically toasted.
Beyond the Sidelines: The Road to Daytona
The real season—the one the casual fan doesn't see—happens in the dead of winter. While most students are home for the holidays, the HighTechs are stuck in Blacksburg. They undergo "rigorous training" starting right after finals and lasting until late December.
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Why? Because of the NDA (National Dance Alliance) Collegiate Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida.
This is where the Virginia Tech dance team proves they are national-caliber athletes. They compete in Division 1A, the highest level of collegiate dance. In recent years, they’ve gone toe-to-toe with powerhouses like Louisville, BYU, and Sam Houston State. The preparation for a two-minute routine takes months of repeating the same four counts until everyone’s pinky finger is at the exact same angle.
The Physical Toll Nobody Talks About
Let’s be real: dance is a contact sport at this level. Not because you're hitting other people, but because you're hitting the floor. Hard.
The "acro" requirements—those headsprings and front handsprings—take a toll on the joints. The team works closely with VT Sports Medicine and has to pass a full physical with team physicians before they’re even allowed to officially join the roster.
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They are also subject to the same drug testing policies as the football or basketball players. If you’re a Hokie athlete, you’re a Hokie athlete. Period.
How to Support (and Join) the Squad
If you're actually serious about joining the 2025-2026 roster, you need to be looking at the spring dates. Open practices usually happen in early April. These are the "golden tickets" where you can actually train with the current team and see if you can keep up with the pace before the actual tryouts on April 25-26.
For the fans? The best way to support them isn't just cheering during the halftime show. It's following the team's journey during the competition season.
The squad for this year includes names like Erin Bailey, Sarah Becker, and Marceda Gothe—seniors who have basically lived in Cassell for four years. They are ambassadors for the university, meaning they show up at alumni events, charity fundraisers, and pep rallies all over the state.
Actionable Next Steps for Aspiring Dancers
If you’re a high school senior or current VT student looking to wear the maroon and orange, don't wait until April to start training.
- Master the Skills: Focus on your quad pirouettes and your aerials. These are the "barrier to entry" skills that get you past the first cut.
- Attend Open Practices: Use the April dates to get feedback from Coach Krantz. It shows you’re committed and coachable.
- Get Your Paperwork Early: You need a physical conducted within one year of the audition date and a 2.0 QCA. Don't let a missing signature from your doctor ruin your chance.
- Study the VPI: You can find videos of the sideline routines online. Learn them now so the muscle memory is there when the pressure is on.
The HighTechs are a legacy at Virginia Tech. They are the heartbeat of the stadium and the elite athletes of the dance world. Whether they are performing under the lights of Lane Stadium or on the stage at Daytona, they represent the best of Hokie Nation.