Kinesiology senior and Alpha Phi Alpha member DeQuinten Glenn said stepping started with the “Divine Nine.” The Divine Nine refers to the historically black Greek letter organizations founded in the early 1900s, mostly at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

The shows started for uplifting purposes, Glenn said. When times were tough, people would put on a step show or yard show and sing songs.

These days, they still serve the same purpose. One Wednesday a month, the National Pan-Hellenic Council holds Wildin’ Out Wednesdays in Free Speech Plaza, where any Greek organization can show off their synchronization.

Today, step and stroll are specific terms. Glenn said a stroll is a group of four or more people moving in a synchronized way to music.

“It’s like a line dance, but more complex,” Glenn said. “We want to put on a show.”

Stepping came before strolling in history and can be traced back to African influences, Glenn said. The boots that steppers wear are a reference to African gumboot dancers. The intricate stomp-and-clap patterns are interlaced with shouts and chants.

Timing, coordination and overall smoothness of the show are valued, with respect given to those organizations that bring a great deal of practice and passion to their product on stage.

“When we go up there we have a sense of pride,” Glenn said. “We’re gonna make all Alphas look good.”

Glenn said they do put in time to make sure that when they step on stage, they look the smoothest and have the best teamwork. For the Fall Fest performance, Glenn said the Alphas put in at least 50 hours of rehearsal.

“The same work ethic we apply to our grades and community service, we bring to our step show,” he said.

Arrielle Parker, biological sciences senior and third vice president of Zeta Phi Beta’s Rho Epsilon chapter, said stepping is more than just a show to put on, it’s a way for her to bond with her sorority sisters. The hours spent working on different steps and strolls deepen their sisterhood.

Parker said there aren’t any substantial differences between the fraternities and sororities when they step and stroll.

“It’s more organization-by- organization based,” Parker said.

Glenn said Alphas, like every other black Greek organization, have certain symbols that appear in their shows. Alphas have the Ape and the Serpent.

“If you hear a hiss, you know that’s Alpha,” Glenn said.

Step shows are not exclusive to historically black Greek organizations, Glenn said. Alpha Phi Omega, a service organization on campus, also steps.

Glenn said he wouldn’t be opposed to competition from other fraternities and sororities at the University. He said he’s heard of an Interfraternity Council organization in Georgia that steps.

Glenn said he’d only be concerned if other organizations appropriate certain symbols, like the Alpha hiss or the Delta Sigma Theta diamond.