Introducing the Bay Area Shuckers Dance Team

Randy Bachand, Maryland Correspondent | Mar 5, 2012

If you live in the Baltimore/ DC area, it’s a safe bet that even those who don’t follow sports have heard of the Ravens and the Redskins. It’s also a safe bet that even the biggest local sports fans have never heard of the Bay Area Shuckers.

All over the country, pro sports teams and their dancers/cheerleaders gain wide recognition and legions of loyal fans, but for every well known pro team there are dozens of less known pro teams with fans who are just as loyal. There are minor, short-season, and semi -pro basketball, and football leagues, in addition to other countless other sports leagues. Many have dance teams who are just as hard working as their well known counterparts.

The Shuckers play for the Atlantic Coast Professional Basketball League, and one of only two teams in the league with a dance team. They have only been in existence for less than a year. Most of the dancers are also members of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County Dance Team, which means not only attending Shuckers home games, but also UMBC basketball games as well as other events.

Meghan, team captain and coach

Keri is a Biology major working on her Medical Research certificate.

I spoke with their captain Megan, who is also the captain of the UMBC dance team, about starting a squad from the ground up. “After being interviewed and getting the position I created what we have now” she said. “I held auditions, designed the uniforms, picked out the poms, choreographed the routines, etc… The owners of the Shuckers have been very supportive of my choices and I love the freedom they have given me to build my own team. The Bay Area Shuckers Organization has been absolutely amazing, I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with. They are always appreciative of our hard work. Its a dream come true!!”

Since the Shuckers Dancers have so many dance majors involved, does that mean your routines reflect different dance styles? “Our dances usually incorporate a lot of jazz technique blended with ballet and hip hop technique as well. These aspects are shown in each of our routines. We also do kick line routines as well. We have a mixture of dance styles, music, and routines to satisfy all audience members. However I would like a larger audience, our routines are really great and I would love for more people to be able to watch us.”

Unfortunately, the dance team only had a small corner area of the gym to themselves, but really got a chance to shine during the breaks. Megan was right, their routines were very tight and enjoyed by the crowd. It’s clear that the level of talent is very high.