Peyton Blackwell Named Head Dance Coach

Peyton Blackwell was hired as the Head Coach of the Andrew College Dance Team before the end of 2024 and has been working diligently to establish a strong foundation for the program. Focused on recruiting top talent for the 2025-2026 season, she is committed to building a competitive and spirited team that will make an impact both on and off the dance floor.

A proud southeast Alabama native and graduate of The University of Alabama, Peyton spent four years as a member of the nationally ranked Alabama Dance Team, where she had the opportunity to compete on the UDA Nationals stage each year they competed. During her time at Alabama, she was part of a team that consistently placed among the best in the nation, performing at SEC football games, basketball games, gymnastics meets, and countless campus and alumni events. These experiences shaped her love for both game day tradition and competitive dance at the collegiate level.

Peyton's leadership and energy didn't go unnoticed—she was awarded the Power of Positivity Award by her teammates for her uplifting spirit and encouragement throughout the highs and lows of the season. She also earned the Trust the Process Award, hand-selected by her coaches for her dedication, coachability, and belief in the program's vision, even when things were tough. Her time at Alabama taught her the value of hard work, teamwork, and creating a positive, championship mindset and that's exactly what she hopes to instill at Andrew College.

"We are excited to have Peyton join our coaching staff here at Andrew College. She brings a wealth of experience in dance and, as an athlete, has performed at the highest level at the University of Alabama. We look forward to seeing Peyton build our dance program into something special here at Andrew," said Athletic Director Brian Kortz.

As Head Coach, Peyton is passionate about building something special. She's focused on creating a dance program rooted in hard work, accountability, and genuine sisterhood. Her vision for the Andrew College Dance Team is to grow a program that's not only competitive but also brings pride and energy to the Andrew College community. Whether it's leading the crowd on game day, competing on the nationals stage, or representing the college at events, Peyton's goal is to give her dancers an experience that's rewarding, challenging, and fun.

"I know firsthand how life-changing it can be to be part of a team that feels like family," Peyton says. "That's the kind of environment I want to create here—one where dancers feel seen, supported, and pushed to become the best version of themselves."

Outside of coaching, Peyton loves traveling, spending time with family and friends, and working in fashion and e-commerce. She's excited for this new chapter at Andrew College and can't wait to watch this program grow!