When Katie Belvel began missing home during her first year at UD, she said UD Irish Dance was the reason she stayed: the friendships, community and chance to compete at nationals grounded her. That commitment paid off.
Belvel competed on the team that won first place in the “fun number” competition in 2025 and 2026.
“I knew I always had UD Irish Dance to support me throughout my time here,” she said. “I couldn't be more grateful for such an amazing team.”
Belvel, a rising junior and double major in history and secondary education with a focus in integrated social studies from Tempe, Arizona.; began dancing at age five after watching an episode of “Barney.” She competed at the open championship level, the highest in competitive Irish dance, and at regional and national championships. She also captained a world-qualifying eight-hand céilí team (a traditional Irish dance form performed by eight dancers in precise, coordinated formation).
Near the end of high school, Belvel was unsure about her future in dance.
“I’d been dancing for so long I truly didn't know what to do with myself without dance," she said. “I had no clue UD had an Irish dance team until I came for admitted students day. I was already pretty sold after seeing the campus and talking to a few people, but as soon as I heard someone mention an Irish dance team I turned to my mom and said, ‘We don't need to go look at any other colleges.’”
University of Dayton Irish Dance now has claimed first place three consecutive years in the “fun number” competition at the National Collegiate Irish Dance Championships, a category where teams create original choreography set to popular music. The 2026 win came in Madison, Wisconsin, where the club also earned five team awards and four solo awards, including junior co-president Madi King’s first-place finish in the junior solo competition.
“This achievement took a great deal of hard work, dedication and teamwork, and it means so much to all of us,” said co-president Kate Baldwin, a junior civil engineering major.
It’s not hard to see why the fun number judges took notice. The team performed a space-themed medley featuring Katy Perry’s “E.T.,” Dua Lipa’s “Levitating,” the “Space Jam” theme, Elton John’s “Rocket Man” and Nicki Minaj’s “Starships.” The women wore sleek black costumes with shiny, rocket-steel-inspired skirts, while the two male dancers took the stage in full NASA astronaut suit costumes.
Donor support through UD’s Flyer Funder crowdfunding platform helped make the trip to Madison possible, covering entry fees, costuming and travel. Flyer Funder allows supporters to contribute directly to student organizations so students can focus on competing rather than the cost of getting there.
UD Irish Dance is one of more than 240 student organizations at the University, giving students the chance to explore their interests or try something new. The club, established in 2007, is open to all, from experienced competitors to beginners. It performs throughout the year at events across greater Dayton, with particular visibility around St. Patrick’s Day, and has hosted the Flyer Feis, a collegiate Irish dance competition that draws teams to campus.
The team’s success has made it a draw for prospective students. Baldwin said four incoming first-year students have inquired about joining this fall, and she has heard directly from students who named the club as a reason they chose UD.
For Belvel, she came to UD for Irish dance. She stayed for the community. The wins were just a bonus.