Background Information
Video Submission Information
Participant Information
Performance Requirements and Restrictions
Prize Information
Background on the Sprite Step Off II Service Challenge
Team Travel Requirements
- What is the Sprite Step Off II?
- Sprite®, the intensely refreshing and #1 lemon-lime drink, is bringing back the Sprite Step Off competition to find and recognize the nation’s top college step Teams. Sprite Step Off celebrates the originality, creativity and the rich tradition of the art of stepping.
Teams interested in competing can apply online. Judges will select the top four fraternities and four sororities to advance to each of the six Regional Event Competitions. Additionally, they will select another five fraternities and five sororities per region as semi-finalists and invite fans to vote for two more Teams (one fraternity and one sorority) from that semi-finalist list that will advance to the Regional Event Competition.
The Sprite Step Off II Championship Event will be held in Washington D.C. and will feature the winning fraternity and sorority Team from each region battling it out for the national title and the grand prize of $100,000 in scholarship money. Scholarship awards will be given out at the Regional Event Competition and the Championship Event. - Why did Sprite create the Sprite Step Off program?
- Sprite launched the Sprite Step Off program to promote education, highlight the exceptional art form of college stepping and to positively showcase the impact of youth on the college experience. Through its various media and experiences, the Sprite Step Off program will recognize the leadership, service, loyalty and perseverance of the participating Teams.
- Has the Sprite Step Off been endorsed by any fraternities or sororities?
- Yes. The Sprite Step Off has been officially endorsed by:
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
- Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
- Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Background Information
- What can we wear in our online Video Submission?
- Each Team Member must wear appropriate attire. All clothing must be clean, properly fitting, in good repair and meet the following requirements:
- Strapless, halter or tube tops, clothing cannot expose the midsection or abdominal area, low-cut or transparent clothing, and very short skirts, shorts or dresses are inappropriate;
- All undergarments (including briefs/boxers and sports bras) must be properly covered by outer clothing;
- Attire must not display obscene, profane, illegal, inappropriate or offensive images or words, including references to alcohol, tobacco, drug usage or violence;
- Team Members must not wear any items reflecting what appears to be pledge line names and/or numbers;
- No tattoos or brands may be visible during the Team's performance.
- What are the Video Submission Performance guidelines?
- Teams should ensure that the performance depicted in their Video Submission is suitable for viewing by people of all ages. No portion of the performance should reflect negatively upon The Coca-Cola Company or the Team's fraternity or sorority or subject them to public scandal or ridicule. Prohibited performance conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Use of prohibited calls or hand signals;
- Ridiculing other fraternities or sororities;
- Any dance or step routine that includes nudity, partial nudity, gyrating or simulating sexual activity, or sexually suggestive movements;
- Profanity, including any word, expression, gesture or other behavior that is socially construed or interpreted as insulting, rude, vulgar, or disrespectful;
- Use of any component that is in poor taste or contains profanity or sexually explicit language or connotations; and
- Performing or appearing to perform under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- What are the Video Submission guidelines?
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- The Video Submission must be in avi, dv, mov, qt, mpg, mpg2, mpg4, 3gp, 3g2, asf, or wmv format;
- The Video Submission should be approximately 4 minutes in length (3 minutes for Step Routine / 1 minute for Community Service overview);
- The Video Submission must not exceed 100 MB in size;
- The Video Submission must not include music;
- The essay portion and any other spoken portion of the Video Submission must be in English.
Video Submission Information
- What type of step Team can enter into Sprite Step Off II?
- Sprite Step Off II is open to members of undergraduate chapters of nationally recognized, service oriented fraternities and sororities who are in good standing with both their national organizations and college or university.
- Can exhibition Teams compete?
- No. Sprite Step Off II is only open to students in undergraduate chapters of fraternities and sororities.
- Is Sprite Step Off II only open to traditionally African-American fraternities and sororities?
- No. Sprite Step Off II is open to any nationally recognized, service oriented fraternity or sorority, regardless of race.
- What are the requirements for each Team?
- A Team must have a minimum of 3 and no more than 10 performing Team members. The Team may also have two alternate members who serve as crew and/or Team advisor. All Team members must meet the individual eligibility requirements detailed in the Official Rules.
Every Team member must be of the same gender.
Please see the Official Rules for more details. - What are the requirements for each participant?
- All Team members must:
- Be a legal resident of the United States, 18 years of age or older at the time of competition.
- Be an active member in good financial standing of an undergraduate chapter of a nationally recognized, service-oriented fraternity or sorority affiliated with an accredited four-year institution that has been in existence for at least one calendar year.
- Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student in good academic standing at an accredited college or university or graduated from such an institution in December 2010.
- Have a valid school ID AND a valid government issued ID (i.e. passport, state issued driver's license, state issued identification card or military ID).
- What are the requirements and role of the alternates?
- Each step Team will be allowed to have up to two alternate Team members. The alternates are official Team members who can be used if a core member of the Team is unable to compete or to assist the Team with props or music. Alternates must meet all eligibility requirements and will receive part of the Team scholarship prizes awarded to winning Teams, if designated. All alternates requests must submitted in writing and be approved by the Sponsor prior to entering the competition.
Participant Information
- Are there any restrictions on my Team's performance?
- Teams should ensure that their performance is suitable for viewing by people of all ages. No portion of the performance should reflect negatively upon The Coca-Cola Company or the Team's fraternity or sorority or subject The Coca-Cola Company or its organization to public scandal or ridicule. Prohibited performance conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Use of prohibited calls, language or hand signals;
- Ridiculing other fraternities or sororities;
- Any dance or step routine that includes nudity, partial nudity, gyrating or simulating sexual activity, or sexually suggestive movements;
- Profanity, including any word, expression, gesture or other behavior that is socially construed or interpreted as insulting, rude, vulgar, or disrespectful; and
- Use of any music and/or videos that are in poor taste or contain profanity or sexually explicit language or connotations
- Is there a time limit on performances?
- All Teams are given up to 15 minutes for their show. This includes up to a maximum of ten (10) minutes to perform and five (5) minutes for prop stepup and strike. Teams that exceed this time frame will have points deducted from their score.
- Can my show include props?
- Yes, as long as the Team can set the staging/props in the allotted time frame. Please note that use of any props is subject to the stage manager's approval. No animals, firearms, fireworks, pyrotechnics, or indecent materials will be allowed as show props.
- Are there any restrictions on what my Team can wear or show during our performance?
- Each Team member is expected to wear appropriate attire. All clothing should be clean, properly fitting and in good repair and meets the following requirements:
- Clothing cannot expose the midsection or abdominal area.
- All undergarments (including briefs and sports bras) should be properly covered by your outer clothing.
- Strapless, halter or tube tops, low cut clothing, transparent clothing, and very short skirts, shorts or dresses are inappropriate.
- Attire must not display obscene, profane, illegal, inappropriate or offensive images or words, including references to alcohol, tobacco, drug usage or violence.
- Team members shall not wear any items reflecting what appears to be pledge line names and/ or numbers.
- No advertising slogans or corporate logos shall appear on the clothing of Team members.
- Can music be used during performances?
- Music may be used in the online Video Submission and during
performances at the Regional Event Competitions and Championship Event; however, all music must be cleared prior to show performance. Music for your performance cannot contain profanity or sexually explicit language. The Sprite Step Off II staff will review and approve all music and will determine, in its sole discretion, whether a Team may use its music.
All music must be cued on a CD or MP3 player. One Team member must be assigned to instruct the sound person during the performance. - Can step Teams change their Official Team Rosters after the Regional Event Competition?
- Yes. In the event a Team member is deemed ineligible, the Team Captain may amend the Official Team Roster to include a new Team member that meets the eligibility requirement. Any changes to the official Team roster must be approved by the Coca-Cola Company before the official change is made.
- How will the online applications be judged?
- Each Team's performance is scored based on the following criteria as set forth in the applicable event Official Rules:
- Creativity of Video Submission - performance of new, innovative steps/moves. (40 percent)
- Execution - precise, rhythmic syncopation of beats (30 percent)
- Showmanship - overall manner of Team's performance (30 percent). (Note: the 1 minute explanation providing detail on how your Chapter sparks your community/campus through service is required, but will not be judged.)
In the event of a tie, the Team whose Video Submission received the highest score for Execution, as determined by the qualified judges, in their sole discretion, will be deemed the applicable potential Qualifying Team. - Can Team applications be disqualified for their performance?
- Yes, Sponsor, in its sole discretion, may remove your Video Submission and disqualify your Team from the Contest if it believes, in its sole discretion, that your Video Submission fails to conform to the Official Rules. If time permits, Sponsor may contact any Team that has been disqualified to allow the Team Members to correct any disqualifying element(s).
- Can individual Team members be disqualified from the Sprite Step Off II?
- Every individual on every Team that qualifies for the Regional Event Competition in the Sprite Step Off II will be required to follow the Performance Criteria/Sprite Step Off II Code of Conduct and will subject to a background check.
During this process, information provided by each Team member prior to competing in a Qualifying Event will be verified by their national Greek organization and college or university. If it is determined through this process that an individual has provided false information, he/she subjectshim/herself and their Team to potential disqualification will forfeit his/her share of any Team scholarship prizes. - Will my step team members have to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability & Publicity Release?
- Yes, each potential Qualifying Team Member (parent/legal guardian if over 18 yet still a minor in his/her state of residence) will be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability & Publicity Release (“Affidavit”), which must be received by Administrator within 5 days of the date notice or attempted notice is sent (2 days for Qualifying Team Members for the Charlotte REC, due to time constraints), in order for the Team to be eligible to move on to the REC to compete.
- How will the Regional Event Competitions be judged?
- Each Team's performance will be judged by a panel of N.S.S.A. judges. Click Here to review the N.S.S.A. Event Judging Protocol.
Performance Requirements and Restrictions
- What are prizes for the Sprite Step Off II winners?
- Scholarship prizes will be awarded to the highest scoring Team in each fraternity and sorority category. Prizes will be distributed in both categories as follows:
The scholarships will be distributed evenly amongst all Team members listed on the Official Team Roster including the alternates, if designated.Regional Event Competitions Amount Awarded To Each Team 1st Place $5,000 2nd Place $2,500 3rd Place $1,500 Nationals Amount Awarded To Each Team 1st Place $100,000 2nd Place $25,000 3rd Place $15,000 - Can I receive my scholarship in cash?
- No. All scholarship awards will be made payable to each individual Team member's educational institution, in the name of the individual.
Prize Information
- Can I participate in Sprite Step Off II Service Platform if I am not participating in Sprite Step Off II or if I am not a college student?
- Yes. All interested parties are welcome and encouraged to support the Sprite Step Off II Service Platform by volunteering in charitable programs throughout the community.
- What are some ways I can serve?
- You can serve by volunteering your time to better your community or positively influence youth in your community by doing a project related to education, active living and/or community service. For example, you can volunteer to read to children or tutor them at your local library. You can also participate in a project with one of our official Sprite Step Off II Service Challenge partners, like the Boys & Girls Club of America.
- Why should I volunteer?
- President Obama has issued a call to the entire nation "to make volunteerism and community service part of your daily life and the life of this nation." Sprite Step Off II Service Platform is our answer to President Obama's call aimed at rallying Americans, in particular youth, to make a positive impact in their community.
- Are there any service requirements for competing Teams?
- Yes, there is a community service requirement for all competing Teams that will take place before the Regional and Championship Events. Each Team will be required to participate in a community service activity chosen by the Sponsor.
- Why is service a part of the Sprite Step Off II program?
- Community service has played a significant role in the foundation of fraternities and sororities since they were founded in the early 20th century. Sprite supports and encourages social responsibility as an effort to empower and maintain our communities.
Background on the Sprite Step Off II Service Platform
- How will Team get to the Regional Event Competition?
- All Teams who qualify for the 6 Regional Event Competitions will be responsible for their own transportation to the event, lodging and meals.
- How will my Team get to the Championship Event?
- All Teams competing in the Championship Event will have their transportation, lodging and meals provided by Sponsor.
- When are all my Team members paperwork due?
- All Team members must submit all required paperwork back to Sponsor within 5 days of the notice or attempted notice is sent (2 days for Qualifying Team Members for the Charlotte REC, due to time constraints) in order to be eligible to move on to the Regional event to compete.
Team Travel Requirements
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