For Samford students, Step Sing season begins months before rehearsals start. For some, it begins with a sprint across campus to secure one of the most coveted spots in a show.
As Step Sing group sign-ups began, students experienced everything from hours-long lines to chaotic crowds, highlighting the lengths students will go to participate in one of Samford’s most beloved traditions.
For groups like Ignite and Indie Ladies, sign-up locations remain secret until a designated time, when they are announced on Instagram. Students position themselves across campus beforehand, hoping to be among the first to arrive.
For groups like Dudes-A-Plenty (DAP), participants receive a designated room on campus and must stay there for 24 hours to secure their spot in a show.
Grace Sizemore, who ran for Ignite, for a friend, described the moment the location was announced.
“When the announcement of the location dropped, everyone started swarming to Brooks and it was kind of a madhouse,” Sizemore said.
The designated location to sign up for the women’s show, Ignite, was Brock Forum, located in Brooks Hall.
“There were so many people cramped into one room, people were tripping over each other, and everyone was really excited and determined to get a paper,” Sizemore said.
Abi Doremus, who also ran for Ignite on behalf of a friend, described a more concerning scene.
“It was body to body of people pushing and yelling on the Brooks Auditorium stage, trying to get down to the director with the forms,” said Doremus. “I saw a girl fall and get stepped on. It felt like being in the pit of an oversold concert.”
Other groups take a less chaotic approach. Kappa Delta uses an online application, while Unclassified participants wait in line to register.
Katie Varnadoe spent approximately two and a half hours waiting to sign up for Unclassified, after being in Kappa Delta’s show for the previous two years.
“My personal experience is pretty chill, nothing bad. I just did homework in line and then talked to some people,” Varnadoe said.
Beyond the excitement, Doremus believes the competition reflects a larger issue of limited space on Samford’s growing campus.
“I hate that there are people who want to participate in such a beloved campus tradition like Step Sing, who can’t because there’s not enough room for them in the existing groups,” Doremus said.
Still, for many students, the frenzy has become part of the tradition itself.
“I think the biggest highlight of Step Sing sign-ups is just how crazy people are willing to get over a Step Sing show, and I am included in that group,” Sizemore said.
News Editor
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