Where grace meets grit
Coach Melissa McGhee ’11 knows creating national champs takes vision, resilience and smart recruiting.
If you went to a home football game this year, you saw more than one national champion in action. Under Head Coach Melissa McGhee ’11, the dance team has built a dynasty: 13 national titles in seven years. “People who are fine being mediocre, this is not the place for them. Our student-athletes are high achievers,” McGhee says proudly. “They want to be the best in everything they do—in dance, in academics, as human beings.”
For football games, or basketball or volleyball, the team executes shorter routines to match songs and entertain crowds. The viral, title-winning dances come at nationals each January, a competition with jazz, pom and game day categories. The team, 23 students strong, starts learning that choreography in September. They practice 15–20 hours a week beyond events.
McGhee has seen a lot of change since she was on Ohio State’s dance team, still a club sport, while majoring in marketing. “There’s absolutely no way I would make the team these days,” the Toledo native says with a laugh. “The skills and athleticism you need are just astronomical. Some of the things people can do, I could never have dreamed of.”
The talent and titles make recruiting easier, to a point. “If you’re a competitive dancer, we’re definitely an elite aspiration,” McGhee said in the fall after traveling the country for four days to meet potential Buckeyes. She fills six spots a year—less than half the dancers Juilliard takes, for example. “The hard part is we can’t offer full rides yet, so we work through merit-based scholarships, financial aid, all the things to find a bridge. It’s an interesting dichotomy.”
On Homecoming weekend, McGhee welcomed 10 recruits to experience campus and work out with the team. She took us along on the day Ohio State whomped Minnesota—the same school the dance team beat to become the 2025 national champs.
7 a.m. Naturally, I’m an early riser, but on game days, I take the morning slow, knowing it’ll be a late night. I savor my coffee and review my presentation for the recruits today, then get ready.
1 p.m. I don’t need to be on campus until 2, but I like to leave early to take my time. I arrive at French Field House and use the calm before the storm to catch up with team members. This pocket of time feels special—a moment to connect before the excitement builds.
2:15 p.m. Next up is one of the most rewarding parts of my job—meeting with prospective student-athletes and their families. We share our Circle of Care, a holistic support system that surrounds every team member. I invite our captains so recruits can hear what it’s like to be part of this program—the expectations, the culture and the pride. It’s inspiring to see them light up as they imagine themselves in scarlet and gray.
3:45 p.m. We kick off every football game day with a full Spirit Program meeting, which includes Cheer, Dance and Brutus. Homecoming is a big weekend for us—our student-athletes work more than six events before kickoff. We review our schedule and make sure everyone is aligned before heading off. Next, I’ll check in with the visiting team.
5:30 p.m. We shift focus to Fan Fest, a pep rally-style event where we engage with fans and future Buckeyes. I love interacting with the community.
6:45 p.m. As kickoff approaches, I grab my headset and get ready for pregame. We’ve added new elements this year featuring Brutus and new movements for our teams, so I double-check the marketing script and head down to coordinate with our partners in the North End Zone—from TBDBITL to the TV network crew. During the game, I stay tuned into headset cues, adjusting our timing as needed and updating the team.
8:30 p.m. Tonight is full of touchdowns. The pageantry of a night game—pyrotechnics, roaring crowd, the iconic TBDBITL—and cheering on Buckeye Nation never get old.
9:45 p.m. We celebrate our D1A Jazz National Championship in front of the crowd in the third quarter. It was extra special.
10 p.m. I say hello to familiar faces on the sideline who’ve been doing this alongside me for years—the incredible people who truly “get” how much it takes to make an Ohio State game happen.
10:30 p.m. After the game, I walk back to French Field House with my assistant coaches, who’ve been beside me for years. We end the night feeling proud: another successful game day, another unforgettable Buckeye moment.
