Strutters celebrate six decades of dance with pregame alumnae event

The painting Six Decades of Strutter Sisters by Jill Pankey will be featured on reusable grocery bags during a give away at the H-E-B grocery store at 641 E. Hopkins Street on August 24 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

In celebration of the Texas State University Strutters, six decades of Strutters alumnae will take the field for a pregame appearance at the home football game against the University of Wyoming on Saturday, September 7 at Bobcat Stadium.

The football game has a 6 p.m. kickoff.

The Strutter alumnae will join with current Strutters to form a run-through line for the Bobcat football players taking the field. The Strutters Always Alumni Association board of directors will host a reception 3-4:30 p.m. for all Strutter alumnae at the Linda Gregg Fields Strutters Gallery.  

The first precision dance team formed at a four-year university, the Strutters are currently the largest such team in the nation. Strutters alumnae and alumnae managers from across Texas and other states such as Kansas, Colorado, California, Arkansas, Illinois and Washington will be in attendance. The Strutters perform all styles of dancing, but are especially known for their high kicks and precision dance team style.

The Strutters were formed in 1960 by Barbara Guinn Tidwell to help keep the fans in the stands for the halftime performances at Bobcat football games. Since then, the Strutters have performed at all home football games. Strutters have also performed in 26 countries, three presidential inaugural parades and many other events. Tidwell directed the Strutters for 37 years, and was succeeded by Susan Angell-Gonzalez. The current director is Tammy Fife, who will oversee the Strutters as they lead the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in November. 

Strutters Always will host a Texas Chic Gala on Friday, September 6 at the University Events Center. The gala is open to all Strutter alumnae and friends. The ticket sale deadline is August 23. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/60strutter. 

There will also be a free Strutters reusable grocery bag give away at the H-E-B grocery store at 641 E. Hopkins Street on August 24 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Current Texas State Strutters will celebrate six decades of strutting by giving away 1,000 bags designed by artist Jill Pankey, a former Strutter. Pankey will be at the giveaway to sign bags.