By Heather Trotter Lariat Reporter
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will host the 12th annual “Battle on the Burning Sands” step show, known by its acronym BOTBS, at 7:06 p.m. Saturday in Waco Hall.
Alpha Phi Alpha was founded in 1906 at Cornell University. The fraternity came to Baylor’s campus in 1993. and they have been hosting the step show since 2005.
“Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated is know for stepping and being precise,” said CeRon Ford, chapter vice president. “We wanted to allow other NPHC Greeks to showcase their talents.”
Ford said there will be at least five sororities and fraternities competing in the step show, as well as one exhibition act. The top fraternity and top sorority will win $1,500 and the second-place fraternity and sorority will each be awarded $500.
“Stepping has been included and incorporated in our fraternity since 1906. Some people are more theatrical than others,” Ford said. “Different chapters bring something different to the table and we allow them to showcase their art of stepping.”
Greeks from Texas and surrounding states will travel to Waco for this event, including students from Northwestern State University, Oklahoma State University and the University of Texas at Arlington.
“Stepping is a series of movements of claps, lifting your legs, stomps. It’s a way to represent your organization in movements,” said Anthony Taylor, chapter secretary.
According to Ford, more than 1,200 people have been in previous attendance at BOTBS in the past. Deondria Murphy, treasurer of Alpha Kappa Alpha, said she has been every year since being at Baylor.
“The best part: I would say the energy. It’s a fun, upbeat, energetic event and I like how we’re able to showcase our culture and what we’re about,” Murphy said. “I’ve gone every year at Baylor and it never disappoints.”
Ford said the show will feature a guest host, but the host won’t be revealed until Saturday at the step show. He said the host will be “somebody you don’t wanna miss.”
BOTBS will be held at 7:06 p.m. Ford said the time is specific because Alpha Phi Alpha was founded in 1906, and 7:06 p.m. in military time is 19:06.
Tickets for the show are $15, and members of Greek organizations can purchase tickets for $5.
Ford said profits from the step show will be donated to charity. Funds will be donated to organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Waco and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“We would be happy to get you a ticket,” Taylor said.
Ford added, “feel free to ask us a question if you don’t know about the step show or want to know. We’re wearing our letters all week.”
Murphy said she encourages Baylor students to “come out to BOTBS to see what we’re about.”
