Male Dancer At Pacers' NBA Games Causes Stir, But Gains Acceptance

INDIANAPOLIS - The dancer moves in sync with Pacemates colleagues as they entertain fans with slick gyrations, hip thrusts and other boogie-down moves.

Approximately 16,000 pairs of eyes watch the sexy, choreographed entertainment during timeouts and intermissions at Indiana Pacers home games. Only this is no typical NBA dancer.

This Pacemate's name is Bruce, and he's causing a stir.

"If all people have is time to make fun of me, then they need to get a life," Bruce Campbell says. "I don't take time out of my day to go and make fun of somebody just because they're doing something that I'm not.

"If someone yells a bad name, I just keep on walking. ... I don't have time to make comments to those type of people because they mean nothing to me."

Campbell, who wants to become a professional choreographer, is among at least eight male dancers in the NBA, a small fraternity that also has members with the Atlanta Hawks and the Toronto Raptors.

In contrast to the short skirts, halter tops and stretch pants of the female Pacemates, Campbell, 26, wears baggy clothes. Fans have still taken notice, and not just because of his gender.

"That boy can dance," says Ryan Fisher of Columbus, Ind.

With each step, Campbell is winning over people who once said he'd never be accepted in a state where tradition rules alongside basketball.

"A lot of people said at first, 'Oh, he's a really good dancer and I have nothing against him, but it's not for Indiana. Let him go and do it somewhere else,"' Campbell says. "I thought I should be able to perform in my own state. I shouldn't be kicked out because someone like that looks at it in a different way. You can't stereotype something and say, `Well it's always been this way.' "

Campbell says he hasn't been bothered by the taunts, including many questioning his masculinity.

"This is a conservative state and I'm sure that's why you're going to get some very negative opinions," says Chris Zajac, a fan from suburban Carmel. "I don't think it's fair to him."

Monique Alhaddad, the Pacemates' choreographer, knew some fans wouldn't accept a male dancer. She thought it was time to change the public's attitude.

"There was never a policy that said men weren't allowed to try out. It hadn't happened since I'd been here. I was excited," says Alhaddad, in her seventh season leading the Pacemates. "People are going to accept it or they're not. To me, we're a dance team. Men are dancers, too."

Campbell was the only man to try out for the Pacemates this season. By making the team, he took the spot of a dancer from last season.

"He certainly has lots of energy and they blend well together," Alhaddad says.

Fellow Pacemate Shellie Malayter was amazed how quickly Campbell learned the choreography and became friends with his new teammates.

"He really fits in. I don't even notice until people say something," Malayter says.

Despite some fans' reservations, others have sent letters of encouragement.

A teacher who instructs a high school flag corps and drill team told Campbell his breakthrough has been an inspiration to the only boy on the school's squad.

"For every person that's negative, there are always 10 other people who are going to say something positive," Campbell says.

He says he's not dancing for the publicity or to promote male dancers. This is just a step toward his goal of becoming a choreographer.

"If I didn't want to do this, after I made it, I would have said, `You know, I really can't handle all the pressure and the heckling and the media,' " he says. "But that thought never crossed by mind. I want to be a Pacemate. . . . I'm not going to let anybody get in my way."