Last week Gonzaga beat BYU by 10 PTS in the WCC tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Bulldogs have won each of their 26 games this year and have not missed an NCAA tourney since 1998. In addition to shining a light on the players who got the job done on the court, it is also important to recognize the spirited students who have worked just as hard on the sidelines, such as band members/cheerleaders/dancers. Earlier this week HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Alexis Villanueva about her Final 4 picks and not being able to join the basketball team in Indianapolis this week.
You are from Orange County, CA: what made you choose Gonzaga? I was fortunate to grow up with a private school education and Gonzaga encompassed a home away from home with its combination of faith and education. The classes here are on the smaller size so I am on a 1st name basis with my teachers.
You have been dancing competitively for almost a decade: what is your favorite part of being a dancer? I am a very competitive person so I love an atmosphere where I can put that into a productive space. I have become a leader and worked well with others, which has allowed me to have a 2nd family.
You are 1 of the 3 captains on the team this year: what is the key to being a good leader? Realizing how much you can take on and being open to communication. You have to be able to perform well under pressure and always have a solution ready.
What does your team do at basketball games during a normal year? I am a very big basketball fan so it was awesome to cheer for a D-1 program. We do not get to watch the 1st half while we are warming up, but then we get to perform and watch the rest of the game. We help out at pep rallies on campus and at game-watches. We get the crowds amped up with “Kraziness at the Kennel” and are ambassadors for the team.
You are currently a sophomore studying public relations with a double minor in promotions/communication: why did you pick those subjects? I did a lot of volunteer work while growing up and enjoy event planning from a leadership position so I realized that PR would be the best degree for me to earn. I have seen what my passions are and would love to break into the sports industry but have not yet honed in on exactly what I want to do.
Your post-graduate plan is to move to the East Coast and work for the Knicks or another basketball franchise: why New York, and why basketball? My 3 favorite sports to watch are basketball/hockey/baseball. The Knicks’ franchise is iconic so it would be an honor to work for them. I almost attended Marist (in Poughkeepsie) but picked Gonzaga for the college experience. I have always loved the fast-paced environment that New York has to offer.
What do you think the role of a college dance team is today, and how has it changed over time? Initially we served to pump up the crowd when the team has a timeout: almost like an accessory to the basketball team. There used to be a focus on the size/image of a dancer and what you could or could not wear when going out. 1 of my goals this year was to rebrand us by reaching out to alumni, fundraising, and working with the Spokane community. We have done outreach to young boys/girls who look up to us.
Last week in the WCC tourney title game the Bulldogs had a 10-PT win over BYU: does the student body still get excited about making the NCAA tourney or has it just become something that people expect to happen every spring? I was fortunate to attend last year’s WCC tourney title win in person when we beat St. Mary’s. I commend BYU: they have always done a good job of being a solid competitor but we have a lot of faith in our program. I think that Jalen Suggs was the missing piece and I am excited to see how the whole team will perform this month.
Due to COVID your team has been unable to participate this season and you will not be traveling with the team to Indianapolis this week: how frustrating is it to be a dancer for a great basketball team during a pandemic? You took the words out of my mouth. I was a freshman last year so my season ended just as the basketball season was heating up. We have alumni come from all over to support our program. Our team has worked so hard and we are doing our best to support them in any way we can: I would do anything to perform at a game right now.
Your team has not lost a single game this year: any predictions for March Madness? I have spent the last 2 days doing my research and have gone back and forth on my Final 4 but I think it will be Gonzaga/Baylor/Texas/Houston…with the Zags winning it all!