History of Stompfest

Stomp Fest began in 2001, and it was originally called Afro-Olympics. The concept behind the idea is simple: Participation is open to any student organization or students on campus, and they are paired with a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Organizations who will serve as their coaches. The coach meets with them, teaches them steps and comes up with a step routine. The group then performs the routine and is judged in such areas as crowd participation, creativity, precision/complication of steps, and other areas. The winning teams from the male and female division receive a monetary prize in their name to donate to the charity or philanthropy of their choice, as well as a trophy.

In 2001, 3 teams participated: Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, and a group of young ladies who went by the name of Pink. The show has grown immensely since then.

The following year, in 2002, participation nearly doubled, with such groups as Sigma Nu Fraternity, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Kappa Delta Chi Interest Group, Baylor Women's League, students from North Russell Hall, and many others participating. The step show also raised quite a bit of money for the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation of Central Texas, which is the philanthropy of the Nu Iota Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. at Baylor University.

In 2003, Afro-Olympics became the All-University Charity Step Show, and showcased Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority, Baylor Women's League, Kappa Delta Chi Interest Group, students from Kokernot Hall, and many others. Also this year we collected canned goods at the door and donated them to the Salvation Army here in Waco.

2004 marked the first collaboration between Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and the Student Activities to produce this widely anticipated step show. Since that year, we have seen over $25,000 won and donated to local and national charities.