Celebrating 50 Years of Triple Crown
The Triple Crown Dance Series was the first Dancesport Circuit in the entire world. It was founded by Larry and Dianne Dean in 1972. The concept at the time was groundbreaking. Accumulating points at multiple competitions towards a larger, year-end prize had never been done before.
On the road to the finale, Triple Crown has awarded thousands of gifts - Jackets, Bags, Crystal - you name it. Larry and Dianne were giving out Triple Crown Swag before Swag was even a thing. Notable dance legends the likes of Sammy Stopford MBE and Jean Marc Genereux would often be seen wearing their Triple Crown jackets.
The Series began in 1972 with Larry and Dianne’s three competitions - the Summer, Winter, and National Dance Olympics. In 1975, the events officially became Championships sanctioned by the National Dance Council of America. The events were renamed the Southern States Dancesport Championships held in New Orleans, the Southeastern States Dancesport Championships held in Florida, Puerto Rico and Mexico, and the Florida State Dancesport Championships held in Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Sarasota.
Larry and Dianne are thrilled to pass the Triple Crown torch to its new organizer, Mark Nocera. Mark looks forward to bringing the storied tradition of Triple Crown Dance Events to today’s dancing world.
Meet The Organizer
MARK NOCERA
Mark Nocera is a former North American Champion, United States Vice-Champion, and Semi-Finalist at the World 10 Dance Championships. He has also performed and taught on network and cable television.
In 1984, Mark opened a dance studio in Boston, Studio 665. The studio ran for 33 years and garnered countless top teacher and studio awards. Studio 665 became one of the largest and longest running studios in Boston.
Mark also taught the MIT, Northeastern, and Boston University collegiate ballroom teams for several years before becoming the permanent head coach of the Tufts Ballroom Team for over 25 years. Mark has also taught numerous Pro/Am and Amateur finalists and champions at the national level.
Mark Nocera is a World Class Adjudicator with the National Dance Council of America and the World Dance Council. Notable competitions that Mark has judged in the United States include the United States Dance Championships, the United States Amateur National Championships, the Emerald Ball, and the Ohio Star Ball. Internationally, Mark has judged in South Africa and Denmark and has also judged the Icelandic National Championships and the WDC World Amateur 10 Dance Championship in Poland.
Mark is the organizer of the Eastern United States Dancesport Championships in New York/ New Jersey each January, the Boston Tea Party Dancesport Championships in Boston each February, the Boca Ballroom Dancesport Competition in Fort Lauderdale each August, and the Naples Star Ball in Naples each October. Mark is also a former National Examiner in all styles with Dance Vision.
