Does Dance Deserve a Roster Spot?

The question of whether dance qualifies as a sport isn’t just theoretical—it’s personal.

For dancers who spend hours conditioning, perfecting technique, and competing at

collegiate levels, the issue isn’t whether dance is hard. It’s whether it’s respected like

football or lacrosse.

The Athletic Argument

OWU students offered a range of perspectives when asked whether dance should be

considered a sport.

“I believe dance is a sport,” said sophomore Emma Rodriguez. “It’s physically

demanding, often team-based, and competitive.”

But when asked if it belongs in the same category as football or track, she hesitated.

“Dance is more performance-based.”

“Dance requires strength, technique, competition, dedication, and skill just like all other

sports. It’s a sport to the same extent that football or basketball is. Dancers condition

and train just like athletes,” junior Marcus Lee said.

Senior Jasmine Patel added. “Yes, dance is a sport. It’s exercise. But I think it depends

on the kind of dancing—like dancing at a party versus competitive cheer.”

But she disagreed when asked if dance belongs in the same category as football or

basketball.

“No. There’s a cheer team here, and they have practices. But in my mind, there’s no

competition or ‘who’s better’ aspect.”

This spectrum of opinions reveals a tension between how dance is experienced and

how it’s categorized. Is competition the defining feature of a sport? Or is it the physical

and mental demands?

Performance vs. Playoff

Unlike traditional sports, dance lacks a scoreboard. Winners are measured by

execution, not points. But that doesn’t make it less rigorous. Dancers train like athletes

in the ways of building stamina, mastering technique, and pushing through pain.

Many students draw the line between performance and competition. Some see dance

as an expressive art form that doesn’t need rankings. Others argue that competitive

dance teams, like cheer squads, meet every criterion of a sport: physicality, strategy,

and structured contests.

So… Should Dance Be on the Roster?

If athleticism means strength, skill, and competition, dance checks every box. But if

sports require referees and rankings, dance might remain on the other side.

So, does dance deserve a spot on the roster?

Ask the dancers dripping in sweat after a three-hour rehearsal. Ask anyone who’s lost

themselves in the music and found something stronger than competition—connection.