By Megan Reyna
Since coming to Texas Tech in 2011, Texas Tech University Pom Squad Coach Erin Harold has changed and improved the pom program, according to Spirit Director Stephanie Rhode. But a recent decision has been one of her most powerful moves yet.
During pom squad auditions in May, senior musical theatre major Dominic Franco tried out for the team. Harold chose Franco to be the first male pom squad member in Texas Tech history, along with 20 female members.
Franco has been dancing for almost 10 years, and is also an instructor at Revolution Elite Dance. He was one of 13 students chosen to be a part of the first class of musical theatre majors, which was implemented last year.
As the dance captain for the upcoming production of “Heathers the Musical,” Franco has to attend rehearsal six nights a week. The pom squad practices three nights a week for 2-3 hours during the fall semester, with members also expected to work with a trainer three times a week. Though he is busy, Franco said joining the pom squad has pushed him to improve in many ways.
Harold hopes Franco’s experience will inspire more men to try out for the pom squad in the future.
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- “When I first came to Tech, I didn’t know what pom was and my first football game of last year, I remember watching them do the third quarter dance and I was like, ‘Wow they’re like really, really good,” Franco said.
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- “I really hope it helps break dance stereotypes,” Franco said. “Especially in Lubbock, in Texas, that guys can’t dance. Hey this is 2016, guys can dance, and that gender thing doesn’t really matter anymore.” Originally from the north, Franco said at his first studio there were 15 other male dancers.
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- “I think it’s really special for him, because he would have paved the way for any other guy interested in our program,” Harold said. “Which we hope there will be more boys in our program.”
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- Stephanie Rhode said she was expecting mixed opinions from the Lubbock community. “I thought people would think that maybe this is just not right,” Rhode said. “But I have gotten nothing (negative) at all. People are intrigued by it.”
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- “I am so blessed to be a part of this team,” Franco said. “It’s pushed me in so many ways.”
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