The tournament-style Sprite Step Off competition returned with a six-city tour kicked off on March 19 in Charlotte, N.C. with teams from across the country competing for two $100,000 grand prizes in scholarships. Regional event competitions also will take place in Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Houston, with the winning teams advancing to the national championship in Washington D.C. on May 21.

This 2011 Sprite Step Off officially kicked-off with an online application submission which began February 10 and concluded on March 13. Interested fraternities and sororities entered the competition by submitting a short performance video that showcased their step talents and highlighted their positive contributions to their community. Sprite Step Off breaks the mold of traditional step competitions by creating a platform that focuses on scholarship, education and community service.

«Sprite Step Off gives college students an outlet to showcase creative self-expression through the art of step while promoting the importance of higher education and being active,» said Augusto Elias, Sprite Brand director, Coca-Cola North America. «Sprite sees stepping as a vehicle to empower this innovative generation to spark their creativity and fresh thinking while giving back to the community.»

Sprite will enlist the National Step Show Alliance to oversee and manage the scoring and judging during all phases of the competition. The selected teams will compete at venues in cities nationwide, including: Charlotte, N.C. (March 19), New York, N.Y. (March 26), Atlanta, Ga. (April 2), Los Angeles, Calif. (April 9), Houston, Texas (April 16), Chicago, Ill. (April 30).

The first place fraternity and sorority winners from each regional event will receive travel to the championship event in Washington D.C. on May 21. The event will feature the top 12 teams—six fraternities and six sororities—as they compete to see who will bring home the Sprite Step Off II crown.

Community service will once again be an important part of the competition. Each participating step team will participate in service activity at a local Boys & Girls Club in each host city. Sprite will also present each participating Boys & Girls Club with a $4,500 check and book donations.