Lake Forest College launched two varsity programs in fall 2026: a Dance Team and a Cheer Team, both led by Head Coach Erika Navarro.

The programs are the college's first competitive dance-based athletic organizations, The Stentor reported on Oct. 9. Both teams are recruitment-based, with competitive seasons set to begin in summer 2027, including training for bids to nationals.

The Dance Team had 10 members registered as of early October. Navarro said she hopes to recruit more for the 2027–2028 school year. The Cheer Team's roster size has not been disclosed.

Both squads will perform at home football and basketball games, including halftime shows, and at special campus events. Students may join one team but not both, Navarro told The Stentor.

"We hope to leave a strong mark in the competition world for dance and cheer for Lake Forest," Navarro said.

Cheer Team recruits need cheerleading-specific skills: tumbling, jumps and stunting. Navarro said she prioritizes the quality and fit of each athlete over roster numbers.

The college's annual "Support Your Sport" giving campaign, held Sept. 17–19, already listed Cheer & Dance among 25 varsity programs eligible for donor support. LFC Football Head Coach Jim Catanzaro posted on X on Aug. 19 that his program packed meals at Feed My Starving Children alongside the cheer and dance teams.

@lfc_football: "The other night, we teamed up with Feed My Starving Children to pack meals for children in need! Grateful for the opportunity to lend a helping hand and make a difference alongside the LFC Cheer & Dance teams."

The post predated the Oct. 9 announcement by nearly two months.

The new varsity teams are separate from Dance Crew, a club that has operated on campus for more than a decade. Dance Crew moved during the fall 2026 semester from the Athletics Department to the Gates Center, where it is now classified as a student organization. Treasurer and team captain Paul Wolters said little will change in practice.

"Our main goal is not to dance; it's to just feel welcome together. It's like a family," Wolters told The Stentor.

Dance Crew has 24 members and is near its maximum capacity. More spots may open when the spring semester begins.

Students interested in either varsity team can contact Navarro through the college's athletics department.