BlackOut, Tufts University's All-male step team, was founded officially in the Spring of 2004.  BlackOut is a brotherhood that bonds on and off the stage, united by the adage One Sight, One Sound. BlackOut is unit, a support system of encouragement to those accepted to join, and entertainment to all those graced with the sounds of their stomps and claps. 

 

In the Fall of 2003, Bettina James, co-founder and co-captain of Envy (Tufts all-Female Step Team) taking advantage of her connections, sought out Brent Patterson, Jonathan Ringer , and Uchenna Anyikam to once again attempt to form a team. Soon after, a group of about 16 was formed thus giving birth to a new, unnamed team.

 

On Thursday November 20, 2003, BlackOut performed for the first time in the Spirit of Color Fall Show, Climax. The Spirit of Color show gave BlackOut the exposure it needed to establish themselves as a group. In January 2004, Anyikam, Ringer, and Patterson became the first step captains of BlackOut and the team was officially annexed into the African Student Organization at Tufts University, honoring the heritage of the their performance art.

 

After becoming co-captain as a sophomore, Keith Frankel ('09) was responsible for revolutionizing many aspects of the team, replacing combat boots and army fatigue with dress shirts, dress shoes, and ties. It was the leadership of Frankel that eventually led to BlackOut being nationally undefeated in step competition for three years, gaining popularity as a step-team that set themselves apart with their sharp mechanics and unique stepping style.

 

Following in Frankel's footsteps, two time captain, Drew Bibby ('13) began making immediate contributions to BlackOut as a freshman, continuing the legacy set by captains before him. BlackOut members and fans today recognize Bibby as a highly charismatic, high-energy stepper, with a knack for infusing hip-hop choreography into steps - contributing over 8 difffent steps and countless skits over his four years on the team.

 

Since then, under the leadership of Jared Vallair ('14) and Wale Odulate-Williams ('14), BlackOut has established itself as a high energy, high octane group that has performed and competed at shows along the east coast, as well as the west coast, performing at:

 

- World of Dance-Toronto 2013

- World of Dance-Boston 2012 & 2014,

- Funk'tion Hip-Hop Dance Showcase 2011-2014 

- MIT's Footwork Dance Showcase

- Winners of  2011 Kollaboration Boston Dance Competition

 

And are currently, 2014 champions of 

 

- Williams College: "Steady Steppin' Forward" (2013 & 2014)

- SUNY Binghamton: "Watch Your Step"

- UMass Lowell: "Welcome to the Madhouse"

- Regis Dynasty's "Stomp Classic"