The Southwestern Community College athletic department is working through a mid-year reassignment with the resignation of Head Dance Coach Lois Parker.

Parker submitted her resignation yesterday stating she wanted to focus on her family and professional obligations.

Parker was named head coach for the Spartan dance team in April 2019. The team recently competed in the Iowa State Dance & Drill Team Association’s State Dance Championships, held Dec. 5-6, at Wells Fargo Arena and Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. The team came home with a second place finish in jazz and a Division 1 rating in hip hop. The team also competed in pom.

Southwestern Athletic Director Doug North said the college met with the student-athletes on the team today and will act swiftly to name an interim coach to finish the dance team season.

“We wish Lois nothing but the best as she pursues other interests,” North explained. “Obviously our main focus at this time is to ensure our student-athletes on the dance team continue their season with the least amount of interruption. They’re coming off a great finish at state and we want their success to continue.”

The dance team performs at Southwestern men’s and women’s basketball games throughout the season. Their dance season wraps up with a showcase in March highlighting their performances from throughout the year and featuring performances of high school teams from throughout the college’s region.