United States Amateur Ballroom dancers Association, Inc.



In 1965 Norman Martin, a leading social and competitive ballroom dance champion put together a group of dancers known as the United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association, Inc. or USABDA. Their purpose was to petition the Olympic committee to include ballroom dancing in the Olympic program. Unfortunately they were not able to accomplish that goal at that time. However, while working on their bid to get into the Olympics, the group was setting up their bylaws and came to the conclusion that there was a definite need for guidelines for the large number of Social Dancers and American Style dancers, as well as the International Style competitors.

While working to help the dancers compete nationally and internationally they also helped to set things in motion to insure the availability of floors, music and locations for a group that turned out to be the backbone of the USABDA, the Social Dancers.

The early years for the USABDA only saw a small number of members in New York state, a few in the Washington, DC area and a small number on the west coast. In 1978 USABDA started its mid-eastern chapter and the push was on to take their little group to a national level. The next few years saw chapters being formed in several other states.

Throughout the 80's the USABDA recruitment efforts consisted of trying to get all amateur dance organizations to join them as a national organization with a regional chapter structure. In 1985 with their new bylaws in place the USABDA was given tax-exempt status by the IRS. With the unification process started the USABDA was officially recognized by what is now known as the International DanceSport Federation (IDSF). The USABDA now governs all forms of amateur ballroom dancing in the United States.

Over the last 12 years USABDA has promoted the growth of all forms of ballroom dance as well as coming up with a program to establish chapters in each state. They have enjoyed major growth in numbers of chapters, dancers, competitions, workshops and social dances each year. Each year the USABDA sends United States representatives to the World Games. The World Games provide a venue for Olympic recognized sports that have not yet been added to the Olympic program.

The USABDA's quest to get their spot in the Olympics is still going strong. To date the ISDF has been granted full recognition by the International Olympic Committee as the worldwide governing body for DanceSport and the USABDA has been granted affiliate membership recognizing them as the national governing Body of DanceSport in the Untied States. The last remaining step is for DanceSport to be granted Program Status by the IOC at which time DanceSport would then be added to the Olympic program. With continued hard work and a little luck this will be accomplished in the near future.
The USABDA has grown into an organization with thousands of members who volunteer to help promote social and competitive dancing on college campuses and in communities across the country.




Comments

*Name:
*Email:
Website URL:
Title / Subject:
Hide my email
*Comments:
*
 



Menu


My Articles

Get In Shape With Ballroom Dancing
Choosing A Ballroom Dance For Your Wedding
United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association, Inc.
Media Coverage Of Ballroom Dancing
Ballroom Dancing And The Movies
Music For Ballroom Dancing
History Of Ballroom Dancing
Ballroom Dancing - The Jive
History Of Ballroom Dance
Ballroom Dancing - The Tango
Ballroom Dancing - Ballrooms
Types Of Ballroom Dancing
Ballroom Dancing - The Handicapped And The Disabled
Ballroom Dancing - The Rumba
Modern Ballroom Dancing - Standard Waltz
Where To Learn Ballroom Dancing
Ballroom Dance Competitions
Ballroom Dancing - The Paso Doble
Ballroom Dancing And Television
Ballroom Dancing - The Viennese Waltz And The Quick Step
Ballroom Dancing - Dancers, & Judges
Ballroom Dancing - Slow Fox Trot
Ballroom Dancing - Judging Criteria
Dresses For Ballroom Dancing






My Articles


Ballroom Dancing - The Tango Staccato steps, and sharp head turns set the Tango apart from the Fox Trot..


Music For Ballroom Dancing When you think of ballroom dancing, you probably think of slow music..


Dresses For Ballroom Dancing Getting dressed for an evening on the ballroom dance floor is much..


Ballroom Dancing - Judging Criteria Ballroom dancing is judged on more than a dozen different points. Some..



Related Videos:

Related News:

 
'Dancing with the Stars' professional partner pairings announced - Reality TV World

    

Washington Post

'Dancing with the Stars' professional partner pairings announced
Reality TV World
... season's cast is Edyta Sliwinska, the only professional dancer who had participated in all of the ABC ballroom dancing competition's first ten seasons. ...
Patridge "really nervous" about 'Dancing'Digital Spy
The Hoff: Ballroom will be painfulThe Press Association
The Hoff, The Situation join DWTSInside NoVA (blog)
Zimbio -Broadway World -Associated Content
all 1,783 news articles »



The Sarah Palin Internet Is Abuzz With Bristol's Teevee Show Stuff - Wonkette (satire) (blog)

    

Washington Post

The Sarah Palin Internet Is Abuzz With Bristol's Teevee Show Stuff
Wonkette (satire) (blog)
There was a time in my life when ballroom dancing helped me to get over a “jerky guy” who had betrayed me. When you are dancing — concentrating on feet and ...
'Jersey Shore's' The Situation can put abs, fist pumps to good use on 'Dancing ...New York Daily News
PHOTO: See Bristol Before — and After — Dance PracticePeople Magazine
Bristol Palin Puts Her Dancing Shoes On!E! Online (blog)
Associated Content -Daily Mail -Examiner.com
all 264 news articles »