Other Dads Can't Touch His Dance

By CHRIS ECHEGARAY The Tampa Tribune

Published: Jun 15, 2007

TAMPA - Craig Bythewood's repertoire in a 55-second video clip was impressive.

He's popping, doing the running man, the splits, the worm and break dancing, among many other moves, to MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This."

Bythewood, 40, of Temple Terrace is to be named today as grand prize winner of Hallmark's Daddy of All Dance-Offs competition. To enter the contest, fathers nationwide sent video clips of their best moves. The grand prize: $5,000 and a 42-inch flat screen television.

"It makes me feel very proud," said the father of three girls. "I tell you, it isn't really the money or the television, but it was the love and support from people voting for me."

He received 38 percent of the more than 54,000 votes cast online, said Jon Gray, a Hallmark representative.

Bythewood, a professor of finance and economics at Florida Southern College, is not a pro dancer, but he once was part of a break dancing team called Fresh Force. "Dancing has always been a passion of mine," he said. "To win something out of passion, that is great."

Reporter Chris Echegaray can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or cechegaray@tampatrib.com. Keyword: Dance, to watch this dad's winning moves.