Penn State’s Budget Cuts Should Not Come At The Expense Of Champions

When a team has three national titles to its name, you would expect the university to help it chase another, not stand in their way. Yet that is exactly what is happening to the Penn State Lionettes. 

Despite a history of excellence and national recognition, the dance team was recently informed that due to university-wide budget cuts it will no longer receive funding to compete at the Universal Dance Association College Nationals, one of the most prestigious dance competitions in the country.

The reason? The Lionettes are not classified as athletes according to the NCAA. Dance is not recognized as an NCAA sport therefore the team does not qualify for funding from Penn State’s self-sustaining intercollegiate athletics budget. University budget reallocations have been executed to address a major deficit and ensure long-term financial stability and because dance is considered a “club activity,” that fails to support the Lionettes. That technicality however, ignores the reality of what the team does and the pride it brings to Penn State.

The Lionettes are athletes in every sense of the word. They perform at football and basketball games, represent Penn State at national events and train for countless hours even through nights, weekends and breaks. Their season runs year-round, balancing academic demands with intense practices, choreography sessions and conditioning. So why are they not considered student-athletes?

In 2024, the Lionettes placed third in the nation with a routine that went viral for its precision, synchronization and athleticism. Their performance did not just entertain, it elevated Penn State’s name on a national stage, showing that the university’s excellence extends beyond revenue-generating sports.

Now, these same athletes are being asked to pay their own way to nationals, an estimated $70,000 in total, roughly $2,800 per dancer. For years the Lionettes have relied heavily on donations and fundraising but without the extra university support, the burden of costs will fall entirely on the dancers themselves.

Supporting the Lionettes is not just about equity, it is about pride. Every time they step onto the stage wearing blue and white, they represent the same school spirit that fills Beaver Stadium, the Bryce Jordan Center and Penn Staters around the world.

To these dancers, nationals is not just a trip. It is the culmination of years of training, teamwork and sacrifice. As a former dancer myself, I know the level of dedication and persistence it takes making it as far as they have. These athletes push through injuries, early mornings and late nights to perfect routines that last only a few minutes on stage. Their work ethic mirrors that of any varsity athlete, even if their recognition does not.

Penn State preaches its commitment to excellence and leadership across all areas of student life. The Lionettes exemplify that mission. They represent the success of what student organizations can achieve through discipline, passion and teamwork. Their success should be something the university celebrates, not something they have to crowdfund to sustain.

If Penn State truly values hard work, pride and representation, then it should stand behind these athletes. Restoring funding for the Lionettes is not just a gesture of support, it is a statement about how the university supports all kinds of excellence.

The Lionettes have earned their place on the national stage and Penn State should help them keep it.