Trojan Dance Force was founded in 1995, and from the start, brought a new, high energy style of game entertainment to USC basketball. Similar to professional dance teams in the NBA/NFL, TDF is known for their hard-hitting dance style, providing entertainment for Trojan fans with routines that celebrate dance forms from hip hop to jazz to upbeat Pom and character dance. TDF strives to represent the rich diversity of the USC student body. In that spirit, ALL Trojans are welcome to audition for TDF.
About Us
Performances
All Men's and Women's basketball games
- The team performs during pre-game, time-outs, between quarters, and post-game.
- The team is on a rotation schedule throughout the season.
Various university and community outreach events including: Midnight Madness (HoopLA), media days, press conferences, photoshoots, and much more!
Selected dancers are chosen to travel to the BIG10 conference play-off games and March Madness.
Practice Schedule
Fall 2026: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 6:30pm-9:00pm
Based on returning Seniors' class schedule.
Subject to change Spring 2027 when official Basketball Season starts.
Dancers will be required to learn select routines and sidelines independently through pre-recorded videos throughout the year.
Coaches
Head Coach Mina Ortega
Mina Ortega, the Director of the Trojan Dance Force, has been coaching the team since 1999. She is a powerhouse in the world of professional sports dance choreography and entertainment and is currently one of the owners and Directors of Pro Action Dance, the leader in pro sports choreography and the number one choice of pro sports dance teams for cutting-edge, crowd-pumping, and fan-friendly dance entertainment. Mina brings years of team-building experience to each TDF squad, creating unforgettable memories for each team member and guaranteeing Trojan fans a complete entertainment package with each game and performance. To learn more about Mina and Pro Action, visit www.proactiondance.com.
Assistant Coach Valerie Ying
Valerie is a proud alumna of the University of Southern California and a four-year member of the USC Trojan Dance Force. After graduation, she danced professionally for the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Rams and has taught and coached dancers in both California and Colorado. She currently plans dance intensives for Pro Action Dance, the leader in pro-sports choreography and leads B2B marketing for a pet health company. She is grateful that she can continue working with the Trojan Dance Force at her alma mater and support USC basketball, Fight On!
