More than one thousand students, parents and community members filled the Brown-Lupton University Union Friday as they stood in line awaiting the performance of an iconic white-masked dance crew.
The Jabbawockeez, an all male hip-hop group, best known for winning the first season of “America’s Best Dance Crew” in 2008 and their current show PRiSM at Luxor Las Vegas, performed in the BLUU Ballroom.
Due to rain, the show was moved inside, delaying the start time by an hour and a half and keeping audience members in line for more than two hours.
Those in the crowd said they were amazed at the turnout and did not expect to see this many people.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Scott Martinson, junior accounting and finance double major. He, like other students, said they were not used to this many students coming to events put on by TCU during the weekend.
The Jabbawockeez said they were thankful for the amount of people that came and for the support from TCU.
“TCU understood our message and received it well,” said dance crew member Phil Tayag.
Jabbawockeez member Kevin Brewer said that their dance crew and TCU share similar mission statements.
“Keep learning to change the world,” Brewer said. “We inspire the world through music and dance and at the same time we learn to change the world through that medium.”
TheEnd program, a new initiative that provides opportunities on Friday and Saturday nights for students to stay on campus, sponsored the Jabbawockeez for TCU Family Weekend.
Assistant Director of Student Activities Brad Thompson said that TheEnd program is trying “to shape the culture at TCU and give people an option where they haven’t had an option in the past.”
Students said they are thankful for these new opportunities that TCU is providing.
Molly Haines, sophomore speech language pathology major, said she has dreamed of seeing the Jabbawockeez and could not believe they were at TCU.
“I think TheEnd is a great idea because we have the opportunity to stay on campus and experience really fun things for free,” Haines said.
Maria Velarde, first-year criminal justice major said “it’s something new to do and more positive than going out and doing things that you might not feel comfortable doing.”
Parents said they supported the program and were excited to experience the Jabbawockeez with their students.
Janet Peacock, Molly’s mom, said she wants to encourage her daughter and students to “soak this up and enjoy these opportunities.”
Sherry Harwood, a TCU parent, said she was thankful that TCU provided a “healthy way to get together and spend time with family.”
TheEnd received a grant of more than $200,000 from the Office of the Chancellor to fund its events.
Chancellor Victor Boschini said he thinks it is great idea to provide our students on-campus entertainment that is fun and enjoyable.
“I just love seeing the Campus Commons, the BLUU, etc. so vibrant with students and faculty/staff, too – all enjoying the programming,” Boschini said.
Thompson said that there will be 16 more events this semester.
“I’ve been doing this for six years here and have never seen anything work on a Friday or Saturday night until now,” Thompson said.
He said he hopes to continue this program next semester but he does not want to focus on building the organization.
“It’s really about the movement and the idea,” Thompson said.
“It’s not about focusing on who sponsored the event, it’s about the experience and providing students with good and healthy programs on campus.”