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 12th season as Head Coach of the Loyola University Maryland Dance Team. She grew up a competitive studio dancer, training and competing in all styles including jazz, pom, hip hop, ballet, lyrical, tap, and 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 both a team member and captain of the ECU Dance Team. During her time at ECU, she was recognized as an ECU Letterwinner, NDA Collegiate All-American Nominee, and Top Gun Leaps & Turns Nominee, while contributing to multiple top-five finishes in Division IA Team Performance and Hip Hop at NDA College Nationals in Daytona Beach, FL. She additionally holds a master’s degree in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University.
Since taking over the Loyola Dance Team in 2015, Christina has led the program through a period of rapid growth and competitive success. She brought the team to its first NDA College Nationals appearance in 2022, and in just a few years, guided the program to back-to-back Division I Team Performance finals appearances in 2025 and 2026, earning top-10 finishes both years. The team has also expanded its competitive presence, debuting in Division I Jazz with a top-20 finish. Prior to competing at NDA College Nationals, Christina led Loyola to back-to-back Division I Pom titles at the UDA DC Dance Championship.
In addition to her role at Loyola, Christina serves as an Assistant Director of Marketing & Ticket Sales for Loyola Athletics. She is also a judge for both UDA and NDA, bringing her expertise to the national competitive dance circuit. Prior to Loyola, she worked as a sales representative for Varsity Spirit Fashion and served an unprecedented three-year term on the Varsity Dance Council. Christina has been a volunteer with the National Dance Coaches Association since 2020 and was named the NDCA Volunteer of the Year in 2022. In collaboration with colleagues through the NDCA, she co-founded and now serves as President of the Maryland State Dance Team Association, which officially launched in March 2021.
A graduate of East Carolina University, Christina earned a B.S. in Sports Studies while serving as both a team member and captain of the ECU Dance Team. During her time at ECU, she was recognized as an ECU Letterwinner, NDA Collegiate All-American Nominee, and Top Gun Leaps & Turns Nominee, while contributing to multiple top-five finishes in Division IA Team Performance and Hip Hop at NDA College Nationals in Daytona Beach, FL. She additionally holds a master’s degree in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University.
Since taking over the Loyola Dance Team in 2015, Christina has led the program through a period of rapid growth and competitive success. She brought the team to its first NDA College Nationals appearance in 2022, and in just a few years, guided the program to back-to-back Division I Team Performance finals appearances in 2025 and 2026, earning top-10 finishes both years. The team has also expanded its competitive presence, debuting in Division I Jazz with a top-20 finish. Prior to competing at NDA College Nationals, Christina led Loyola to back-to-back Division I Pom titles at the UDA DC Dance Championship.
In addition to her role at Loyola, Christina serves as an Assistant Director of Marketing & Ticket Sales for Loyola Athletics. She is also a judge for both UDA and NDA, bringing her expertise to the national competitive dance circuit. Prior to Loyola, she worked as a sales representative for Varsity Spirit Fashion and served an unprecedented three-year term on the Varsity Dance Council. Christina has been a volunteer with the National Dance Coaches Association since 2020 and was named the NDCA Volunteer of the Year in 2022. In collaboration with colleagues through the NDCA, she co-founded and now serves as President of the Maryland State Dance Team Association, which officially launched in March 2021.
ASSISTANT COACH | SOPHIA BENFIELD
Sophia returned to Loyola University Maryland as an assistant coach during the 2023–24 season after graduating from Loyola in 2020.
Before college, Sophia trained and competed at Arts ‘n Motion in Odenton, MD, with experience across multiple styles including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, and tap. She attended Archbishop Spalding High School, where she was a four-year member of the dance team. During her time at Spalding, the team competed at UDA High School Nationals in multiple styles, including jazz and pom, and consistently placed among the top 15 teams in the nation. The team earned a 13th-place finish both her junior and senior years, when she also served as captain.
Following high school, Sophia attended Loyola University Maryland and was a four-year member of the dance team. During her time with the program, she performed at home basketball and lacrosse games, attended UDA camp, and competed at regional UDA competitions. She was named captain her junior year—a program first—and continued in that role through her senior season. While her final season was cut short due to COVID-19, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Writing.
Since returning to Loyola as an assistant coach, Sophia has played an integral role in the program’s recent competitive success, helping guide the team to back-to-back Division I Team Performance finalist appearances at NDA College Nationals with top-10 finishes.
Outside of coaching, Sophia works in the technology field and is passionate about continuing to give back to the program that shaped her collegiate experience.
Before college, Sophia trained and competed at Arts ‘n Motion in Odenton, MD, with experience across multiple styles including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, and tap. She attended Archbishop Spalding High School, where she was a four-year member of the dance team. During her time at Spalding, the team competed at UDA High School Nationals in multiple styles, including jazz and pom, and consistently placed among the top 15 teams in the nation. The team earned a 13th-place finish both her junior and senior years, when she also served as captain.
Following high school, Sophia attended Loyola University Maryland and was a four-year member of the dance team. During her time with the program, she performed at home basketball and lacrosse games, attended UDA camp, and competed at regional UDA competitions. She was named captain her junior year—a program first—and continued in that role through her senior season. While her final season was cut short due to COVID-19, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Writing.
Since returning to Loyola as an assistant coach, Sophia has played an integral role in the program’s recent competitive success, helping guide the team to back-to-back Division I Team Performance finalist appearances at NDA College Nationals with top-10 finishes.
Outside of coaching, Sophia works in the technology field and is passionate about continuing to give back to the program that shaped her collegiate experience.