WHO WE ARE
The primary mission of the Loyola University Maryland Dance Team is to function as a spirit support group, and represent the University, Department of Recreation & Wellness, Athletics, and the Patriot League in a positive manner.
The Loyola University Maryland Dance Team performs at all home men’s and women’s basketball games in addition to making numerous appearances at other athletic, campus, and community events. Members of the team are required to attend NDA College Camp in August each year. Additionally, we compete at NDA College Nationals in Division I.
We typically practice 3 times a week and our practices include technical training as well as strength & conditioning sessions each week. In addition to our practices, we host team bonding activities throughout the season and are actively involved in fundraising or volunteer opportunities.
The Loyola University Maryland Dance Team performs at all home men’s and women’s basketball games in addition to making numerous appearances at other athletic, campus, and community events. Members of the team are required to attend NDA College Camp in August each year. Additionally, we compete at NDA College Nationals in Division I.
We typically practice 3 times a week and our practices include technical training as well as strength & conditioning sessions each week. In addition to our practices, we host team bonding activities throughout the season and are actively involved in fundraising or volunteer opportunities.
MEET THE COACHES
HEAD COACH | CHRISTINA GEORGE
Christina is a New Jersey native in her 11th season as Head Coach of the Loyola University Maryland Dance Team. She grew up a competitive studio dancer competing in all styles of dance including jazz, pom, hip hop, ballet, lyrical, tap, and even baton twirling where she earned multiple regional and national titles.
A graduate of East Carolina University, Christina earned a B.S. in Sports Studies while serving as a team member & captain of the East Carolina University Dance Team. During her time at ECU, Christina was recognized as an ECU Letterwinner, NDA Collegiate All-American Nominee, Top Gun Leaps & Turns Nominee, and had multiple top 5 finishes in Division IA Team Performance and Hip Hop at NDA College Nationals in Daytona Beach, FL. She additionally holds a masters degree in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University.
Since taking over the Loyola Dance Team in 2015, Christina brought the team to their first NDA College Nationals in 2022. In just 3 short years, the team earned the title of National Finalist by advancing to Division I Team Performance in 2025 with a top 10 finish, as well as competing in Division I Jazz for the first time with a top 20 finish. Prior to competing at NDA College Nationals, Christina led the Loyola Dance Team to back-to-back Divisional titles for Division I Pom at the UDA DC Dance Championship.
In addition to serving as Head Dance Coach at Loyola, Christina works for Loyola Athletics as Assistant Director of Marketing & Ticket Sales. Prior to her role at Loyola, she was a sales rep for Varsity Spirit Fashion and served an unprecedented 3-year term as a member of the Varsity Dance Council. Christina has been a volunteer for the National Dance Coaches Association since 2020 and earned the NDCA’s Volunteer of the Year Award in 2022. With the help of colleagues at the NDCA, Christina co-founded and currently serves as President of the Maryland State Dance Team Association that officially launched in March 2021.
A graduate of East Carolina University, Christina earned a B.S. in Sports Studies while serving as a team member & captain of the East Carolina University Dance Team. During her time at ECU, Christina was recognized as an ECU Letterwinner, NDA Collegiate All-American Nominee, Top Gun Leaps & Turns Nominee, and had multiple top 5 finishes in Division IA Team Performance and Hip Hop at NDA College Nationals in Daytona Beach, FL. She additionally holds a masters degree in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University.
Since taking over the Loyola Dance Team in 2015, Christina brought the team to their first NDA College Nationals in 2022. In just 3 short years, the team earned the title of National Finalist by advancing to Division I Team Performance in 2025 with a top 10 finish, as well as competing in Division I Jazz for the first time with a top 20 finish. Prior to competing at NDA College Nationals, Christina led the Loyola Dance Team to back-to-back Divisional titles for Division I Pom at the UDA DC Dance Championship.
In addition to serving as Head Dance Coach at Loyola, Christina works for Loyola Athletics as Assistant Director of Marketing & Ticket Sales. Prior to her role at Loyola, she was a sales rep for Varsity Spirit Fashion and served an unprecedented 3-year term as a member of the Varsity Dance Council. Christina has been a volunteer for the National Dance Coaches Association since 2020 and earned the NDCA’s Volunteer of the Year Award in 2022. With the help of colleagues at the NDCA, Christina co-founded and currently serves as President of the Maryland State Dance Team Association that officially launched in March 2021.
ASSISTANT COACH | SOPHIA BENFIELD
Sophia returns to Loyola as the assistant coach for her 4th season, after graduating from Loyola in 2020. Before college, Sophia danced competitively at Arts ‘n Motion in Odenton, MD, and has experience in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, and tap. She attended Archbishop Spalding High School where she joined the dance team and was on the team all four years she was at Spalding. The team competed at UDA High School Nationals in many different styles, including jazz and pom, and consistently placed top 15 in the nation. During her time there, the team placed 13th both her Junior Year and Senior Year where she served as captain.
After graduating from Spalding, Sophia attended Loyola University Maryland and was on the dance team for all four years. While on the Loyola Dance Team, Sophia performed at all home basketball and lacrosse games, attended UDA camp, and competed at regional UDA competitions. She was appointed the title of captain her Junior year, which was a program first, and held the role through her senior year. Sophia's senior season was unfortunately cut short due to COVID, but she did graduate with her Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Writing. She currently works in the technology field, and is excited to return to Loyola as an assistant coach of the Dance Team as dance has been in her life for so many years!
After graduating from Spalding, Sophia attended Loyola University Maryland and was on the dance team for all four years. While on the Loyola Dance Team, Sophia performed at all home basketball and lacrosse games, attended UDA camp, and competed at regional UDA competitions. She was appointed the title of captain her Junior year, which was a program first, and held the role through her senior year. Sophia's senior season was unfortunately cut short due to COVID, but she did graduate with her Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Writing. She currently works in the technology field, and is excited to return to Loyola as an assistant coach of the Dance Team as dance has been in her life for so many years!
MEET The leadership team
Captains: Asia G., Jen D., Liv L.
Marketing Coordinator: Isabella F.
Fundraising Coordinator: Kayla B.
Community & Recruiting Coordinator: Livia S.
Marketing Coordinator: Isabella F.
Fundraising Coordinator: Kayla B.
Community & Recruiting Coordinator: Livia S.