The Strutters:

A ‘Giant’ tradition for 50 years

by Diana Becker Hendricks, Strutter 1975-76

The high kicks.
The hair spray.
The hats.
The lipstick.
The pompoms.
The tradition.
The waist-cinchers.
The friendship.
The petticoats.
The memories.

The first notes of the Texas State Strutters theme song, Giant, have drawn attention from all corners of the globe. Nowhere does that prelude evoke more cheers, thrills and memories than on Jim Wacker Field in Bobcat Stadium.

As the Bobcat Band plays Giant, and the Strutters officers lead the way with high steps and batons, the line struts onto the field, and Bobcat fans experience (to paraphrase Brent Musburger,) “the most exciting 50 seconds in college halftime!

The Texas State Strutters have proudly carried the name of this university around the world, performing in 22 countries spanning the globe. The Strutters have performed in presidential inaugural parades, NFL and NBA games, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parades, movies and national television commercials.

The Texas State Strutters dazzled audiences for the first time in 1960. Almost 50 years and more than 3,000 dancers later, the Strutters have become one of the longest-running and proudest traditions of Texas State University.

This Giant Tradition began in the spring of 1960, when President Garland Flowers invited a 23-year-old spunky little redhead, a former Kilgore Rangerette, to start a dance team on campus. He envisioned an organization for women that would bring sparkle to football games and ultimately entice fans to stay in the stands during halftime, rather than go to the parking lot for less honorable refreshments than the snack bar provided.

No one could have imagined the life-long love affair that would begin among this university, this community, Barbara Guinn Tidwell and her Strutters.

And in 1960, no one could have imagined the impact the Strutters would have on the lives of the women who will forever consider themselves part of the Strutters sisterhood.

Once a Strutter, always a Strutter” is a common expression used among these veteran dancers. “Strutter love” is a simple signature sign-off that has stood the test of time and become a tradition in e-mail correspondence, a half century after Mrs. T signed those words to her first letter to the original Strutters line of dancers. Beauty, charm, tradition, discipline and — lest we forget — endurance (“Let’s do it a-gain, babies!”) are also among the trademark traits that Strutters continue to carry off the field and into the world.

Strutters have become successful leaders in every profession imaginable. Strutters have become legislators, doctors, lawyers, educators, scientists, ministers, community organizers, investment bankers, television celebrities, journalists, civic leaders, volunteer coordinators, and more.

And in the education field, countless Strutters have taken this unique style of dance and extracurricular activity to high schools everywhere, leading spectacular high school dance teams beneath the Friday night lights for three generations.

The Angell line

After 37 years of choreographing, directing, developing and mothering generations of young women, Barbara Tidwell began to talk of retirement. Susan Angell-Gonzalez was her choice as heir apparent. A Strutters captain in 1977-79, Angell went into an award-winning career as a dance team director and the founder of Susan Angell Enterprises — ShowMakers of America.

And so, in 1997, Angell accepted the gauntlet — took the baton — and promised to carry the torch, as she plunged into a world of endless rehearsals, coed drama, laughter, tears, love for the job, and complete devotion to the Strutters legacy.

Susan Angell-Gonzalez was the first Strutter to be inducted into the Strutters Hall of Fame. This remarkable, dynamic, energetic former Strutters captain has stepped into Barbara Tidwell’s high-heeled footwear and added her own creative signature to the “Angell line” of Strutters on the Texas State campus.

During Angell’s tenure, almost 1,000 young women have passed through the line — some of them second-generation Strutters who have passed the tradition to their own daughters attending Junior Strutters Camp during the summers.

Angell continues the business/social etiquette lessons and maintains the demand for high standards that have been a proven tradition in Strutters for a half century.

And for the past 13 years, Angell has taken the Strutters to a new level of professionalism. The Angell line has a new and distinct look. The line is even more competitive and the dancers even more professional, many with a higher level of training when they arrive on campus to audition than women in earlier years.

It is a natural evolution. After all, former Strutters have trained many of these auditioning dancers. Former Strutters-turned-dance instructors have long been among the leading recruiters for Texas State.

From hundreds who audition for the prestigious dance team, this year’s Strutter line of 79 dancers is among the largest in recent years.

America’s Got Talent

Described as Texas State’s Ambassadors of Dance, the Strutters have a tradition of drawing positive attention to the university. In 1961, the Strutters were featured in the Mobile Oil calendar, a promotional give-away distributed across the country. This early feature presentation introduced the Strutters to the nation and brought attention to then Southwest Texas State College.

Last summer, the current line of Strutters continued the tradition of national recognition as they took their precision dance skills into living rooms across America — all the way to the semifinal round of NBC’s popular reality television show, America’s Got Talent.

The Strutters have truly lived up to the title Ambassadors of Dance, as their performances have spanned the globe. Their high kicks have taken them on international treks to China, Russia, Ireland, Sweden, Finland, Australia, Greece, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Mexico and beyond. This spring the Strutters are planning an exhibition dance performance in Chile.

Strutters Reunion

Jerry Fields, co-chair with his wife Linda of Texas State’s Pride in Action campaign, said, “Strutters are the most close-knit organization that Texas State has ever known. No sorority, fraternity, student government organization or athletic team has ever proved to be such a family.”

On Oct. 10, 2009, that family is coming home when the Texas State Strutters celebrate “A Giant Tradition” with a 50-year reunion and hopes of bringing hundreds of Strutters, managers and friends back together.

The mission is already under way. A flurry of  phone calls, e-mails and personal letters are seeking missing friends in an effort to rebuild the Strutters Family Tree. The goal is to have as many former Strutters as possible come home that weekend for a celebration of this unique student organization.

Planners envision the scene from White Christmas when the general steps into the ballroom and is greeted by his entire battalion. When Barbara Tidwell and Susan Angell-Gonzalez enter the reunion ballroom on the night of Oct. 10, 2009, a sea of beautiful faces from this 50-year legacy will greet them.

Whether a one-year Strutter or a four-year officer, every Strutter is an important part of the mission to reconnect this family. And don’t worry: no waist cincher, personality enhancers, AquaNet or late-night rehearsals will be required! Contact StruttersAlways@gmail.com to reconnect with the Strutters Family Tree today.

The Strutters Commitment

Strutter alumnae remember well what it was like strutting onto the field as the first few measures of Giant played. Strutters, you can probably still feel the excitement and joy of being a part of something so much bigger than yourselves. Today, Strutters Always asks you to become a part of something even bigger — and more permanent — in the Strutters Commitment.

An effort has already begun to preserve Strutters history. The creation of a Strutters Gallery in the proposed Texas State Alumni Center will help preserve the Strutters’ important place in the university’s history. With a total endowment of $2.5 million, a Strutters Gallery can be built that will forever honor and showcase Texas State’s Ambassadors of Dance.

Housed in the gallery will be an expansive collection of memorabilia, including classic sequined and fringed uniforms, capes and petticoats, props and souvenirs, as well as historic photographs of performances around the world. These items will create a unique showcase that will invite visitors on a nostalgic journey through the history, dedication and traditions of the Strutters. To make such a gallery possible, an organization of Strutters alumnae is reaching out to connect with all former Strutters and managers.

Strutters Always invites all Strutters, managers, supporters and fans of the legendary dance team to join Jerry and Linda Fields, who have set in motion the effort to create this permanent repository of Strutters memorabilia. In October, the Fields donated $250,000 toward the Strutters Commitment. They originally pledged $1 for every $10 donated toward this gallery project. As they observed the enthusiasm and interest in this project, they determined that this goal will be reached and wrote their commitment check in advance to kick off the Strutters Commitment.

Be a Part of the Giant Tradition

For more information on how you can be a part of the Strutters Commitment, contact co-chair Diana Becker Hendricks at 512.618.3373, or Johanna Stallman Haley at 512.392.3832, or e-mail struttersalways@gmail.com.