Stomp the Yard Celebrates the Black Greek Tradition of Stepping

Sony Pictures new movie "Stomp the Yard" is timed to release in January 2007, only a few weeks after a monumental celebration for all Black Greeks. Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Inc. will be 100 years old on December 3, 2006. The significance of this date affects the movie because it is a sign of the tremendous influence that the organization has on African American culture.

A college step show is a part of everyday African American culture. Nearly all African Americans can identify all of the historically black fraternities and sororities also known as the Divine Nine. Each organization has its own history based on the actual lives of founders and organizers. Each organization has its own set of colors, letters, and shields. Each organization has its own traditions that can be traced back to its origins. One of the most popular traditions that all black Greeks share is the tradition of stepping.

Each Greek lettered organization followed the template that was laid out by White Greeks. Each organization had a shield, motto, ritual, and membership regimen. The overall purpose of Greek letter organizations is for networking purposes. It was on the heels of Alpha Phi Alpha that other black Greeks took flight.

Stepping can be described as a combination of signing, dancing, and rhythm. There is a military type precision in the step routines performed by each organization. The history of stepping comes from multiple sources, but one trend is true. Black fraternities began with singing and added the elements of dance, marching, and chanting. The result became a popular art form that has continued until today. Each organization has its own identity in stepping. The Alphas (Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Inc.) can be expected to use precision steps utilizing common moves associated with Egyptian themes. The AKAs (Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Inc.) utilize steps that promote their beauty. Kappas (Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, Inc.) commonly use canes to step and twirl with accuracy. The Deltas (Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Inc.) emphasize their strength and character. Omegas (Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Inc.) often use rhythmic hops that equally match their chants and calls. The Zetas (Zeta Phi Beta sorority, Inc.) step to signify finer womanhood. Sigmas (Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, Inc.) use extremely lively moves to show dexterity and accuracy. Sigma Gamma Rhos (Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, Inc.) can be seen using canes along with traditional stepping. Iotas have a signature walk that showcases their spirit. All organizations that participate in stepping show a high level of energy and pride as they give tribute to their organization and traditions.

The central premise of "Stomp the Yard" is based on the tradition of stepping. Without stepping, the movie would only be another drama about a dance contest. Hopefully, the movie will pay homage not only to the tradition of stepping, but also the organizations that participate in the tradition. Happy 100th Alpha Phi Alpha! The impact that the organization has made on African American culture through stepping should be expanded with the release of the movie January 2006.

Tiger Walk - Most Popular Football Tradition at Auburn University (AU)

Auburn University (AU), located in Alabama, is known for many things including a rich history of traditions. Perhaps the most popular and cherished tradition at this particular college campus is something current students, alumni, and people local to the area are very familiar with that is known as the Tiger Walk, named after the school mascot which is a tiger.

Auburn usually has six or seven home football games every year that are played in their home football stadium that is named Jordan-Hare Stadium which holds over 87,000 people. The tradition known as the Tiger Walk involves the football players walking from the dorm known as Sewell Hall (a dorm specifically reserved and designed for athletes) to the stadium hours before kickoff. While the football players walk to Jordan-Hare Stadium literally thousands of loyal fans cheer them on in as both a way to show their appreciation and in an effort to get the team pumped up for a strong performance.

The history of the now infamous Tiger Walk dates back to the 1960s when young children would approach football players on their way to the stadium in an effort to collect autographs from their idols. It was former head coach Doug Barfield (head football coach at Auburn from 1976-1980) who is individually credited with encouraging fans to come out and support their players before they arrived at the stadium. Although a number of schools have since taken up some form of this tradition involving cheering on players as they enter the stadium (including SEC rivals the University of Tennessee and the University of Florida) it is Auburn that is credited with developing this popular pregame ritual.

During a typical football season AU usually has about eleven football games on their fall schedule. In addition to the eleven or so games scheduled during the regular season there is potential for as many as two extra games if the team is having a successful season. After the regular season play is completed there is a conference championship game played. As a member of the SEC (Southeastern Conference) West division of the SEC the Auburn Tigers have an opportunity to play in the SEC championship game against the winner of the SEC East if Auburn can win the difficult SEC West. In addition to the SEC Championship game if the Tigers win at least six games the team is bowl eligible which means they will likely be invited to play in a post season bowl game against an opponent from another conference.

The Tiger Walk has become so popular with fans that they emulate it with fewer numbers at road games where the tradition has expanded to cheering on the Auburn Tigers when they walk from the bus into a visiting stadium.