The sands of Daytona Beach shimmer on the horizon, a glittering path for the Texas Wesleyan Gold Line Dancers as they journey to the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) and National Dance Alliance (NDA) Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship. For this team, Daytona is more than just a competition; it's a testament to their dedication, talent and power. This year, the Gold Line's quest for Daytona glory is fueled by the combined talents of head coach Emily Snow, a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and director of the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, and choreographer Jazmine Hampton, whose arrival in 2024 has brought a new level of creativity and energy to the team. 

In 2016, Snow's journey took a thrilling turn when she pitched an innovative game-day experience to Texas Wesleyan University, complete with a dynamic dance team. This bold idea came on the heels of the university's exciting announcement that football would be making a comeback after a 75-year absence. Nine years later, Snow not only leads the Gold Line Dancers but also orchestrates the vibrant game-day themes, collaborating with faculty and staff to create an electrifying atmosphere. "It's been an incredible journey," she said. 

But as the roar of the crowd fades, the focus shifts to competition as spring arrives. "We love performing at football, basketball and other events, but competitive dance is another level," Snow explained. "It transforms our dancers and cheerleaders into competitive athletes." 

At her right hand is Jazmine Hampton, who Snow brought on to assist in developing the team. Their paths first crossed when Snow spoke at Hampton's high school. "It was exciting to see another dance team emerge locally and create more opportunities for dancers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area," Hampton said.  

From the moment dancers join the team, they are immersed in a culture of dedication and support, experiences that shape them far beyond the dance floor. Snow's commitment to excellence, coupled with Hampton's expertise in choreography and team building, is reflected in the team's rigorous training and preparation for competitions like Daytona. 

"Daytona is a huge deal for all the dancers," Hampton emphasized. "The competition is constantly evolving, both in size and creativity of the categories. It gives us room to be creative and have fun." 

This year, the dancers will compete in the Spirit Rally category, a performance that is like a pep-rally, and the Team Open category with a jazz, pom and hip-hop combination dance. Looking ahead, Snow’s ultimate aspiration is the Game Day category, which unites the dance and cheer team with the band to recreate their full game-day performances. While coordinating so many performers presents a challenge, Snow sees it as a "cool opportunity" for Texas Wesleyan in the future. 

And while the competition is important, both coaches state that the experience of going to Daytona is a true game-changer for the dancers. “If you get to Daytona and you get to be on that stage, that’s a win,” Snow said. “It’s an unforgettable experience, and I think this year’s team is going to be an amazing group to have on the stage to represent Texas Wesleyan.”  

“Being part of Gold Line has been an incredible experience. Competing in Daytona (last year) was unforgettable — not just because of the competition itself, but because of the dedication, teamwork and passion that went into getting there,” said Jaelynn Fields, junior psychology major. 

The Gold Line dancers have also had the incredible opportunity to perform alongside the renowned Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, providing invaluable professional experience. Moreover, they consistently excel in other collegiate dance competitions, showcasing their dedication and talent. This past summer, the team attended the NDA camp at Southern Methodist University where they were awarded the prestigious Dorothy Herkimer Award. This award, given to only one team out of the entire camp, recognizes the team that best embodies positive values and the heart of dance. 

“Winning the Dorothy Herkimer Award was such an honor and shows how the hard work paid off,” Fields added. “Gold Line has pushed me to grow as a dancer and as a person, and I’m so grateful to be part of such a talented and supportive team.” 

Snow and Hampton hope to continue to grow the Gold Line, create life-long bonds and build relationships among the dance alumni. “I believe in the experience and trying to cultivate that,” Snow said. “It’s important to keep them engaged, and I hope to have opportunities for the alumni to come back and celebrate their time here. Dance has been so valuable in my life, and I hope that the students I’m coaching now also think it’s a rewarding and meaningful experience.”  

Win or lose, the team has already achieved something extraordinary: they've discovered their championship spirit that will stay with them long after the music fades and the lights go down. Texas Wesleyan is rooting for both our Gold Line Dancers and cheer team as they take the stage in Daytona this April!