Purple Glove Team dances to victory

For the second year in a row, Georgia College’s Purple Glove Dance Team won the international title of Purple Glove Dance champions, with their dance video garnering more votes than any other video submitted. 

The video follows a student, played by junior mass communication major Ross Daniel, lip-syncing to Paolo Nutini’s “New Shoes.” He wakes up and puts on purple shoes for his Relay for Life event. He then runs out of his dorm and starts giving out purple gloves to everyone he sees, who all begin to follow him.

Soon, dozens of students and faculty are following and dancing along, including members of the Baldwin County Fire Department. It goes on to show many people holding up pictures of the people they are racing for in the fight against cancer. The winning video received $5,000 to donate to Relay For Life.

“I had a blast. It was awesome. Everyone was awesome. (I’m happy) that I was part of Georgia College and getting $5,000 for Relay For Life, I’m honored,” Daniel said.

Daniel also knows the significance of doing the video.

“Even though we have this awful disease, we still need to band together and love those who have had it and fight for a cure,” Daniel said.

He also hopes for even more involvement next year.

“I really think more people should get involved for next year. I’m so proud of the school. I think everyone should be involved. I would love to do it again. It’d be awesome,” Daniel said.

Daniel was selected to perform in the video by Mike Murphy and Michele McGuire, marketing managers for The GIVE Center. Murphy and McGuire both directed, filmed and produced the video. Winning a second year in a row was a surprise for Murphy.

“It’s a big thing, because last year was a blow-out victory. This year, it was much closer. It was a harder race to win. The competition was a lot better this year,” Murphy said.

Murphy thinks it is very significant for Georgia College to win again.

“It brings awareness to the college for the cause. We compete against large universities like Mississippi State. I think it’s impressive that for a small college, we can compete against big schools,” Murphy said.

While he is hopeful for a repeat, he acknowledges the challenge, but is also aware of where the money goes.

“I hope we can win. It will be really tough. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter who wins, because it all goes to Relay For Life,” Murphy said.

Relay For Life is a national program that helps promote the fight against cancer. The cancer foundation which hosts the video competition is 4THEFIGHT. The foundation donates $5,000 to Relay For Life in the name of the winning team. The GIVE Center team is called Play With Your Balls, to raise awareness about testicular cancer.

Murphy is honored to be part of the program and is very thankful to everyone who helped.

“I want to thank the college and all the students that came out to help, especially the Baldwin County Fire Department. A big thank you to them and a thanks to 4THEFIGHT. Five thousand dollars goes a long way,” Murphy said.

Michele McGuire agrees that it is a great cause and helps show what The GIVE Center does.

“Part of The GIVE Center’s role is to find fun ways for students to get involved in an exciting and beneficial way. It’s a great cause because people in the community don’t expect college students to do this. We want to help and make a big impact. Mike and I want to find good, fun ways to get the students involved,” McGuire said

For more information on Purple Glove, visit the Georgia College The GIVE Center Facebook page at Facebook.com/GIVE Center.

Posted by BenedictEsposito on Sep 1 2011. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.