Stalk, run, dive and snatch. Have you heard of a philanthropy event revolving around a hat? Sigma Chi hosted their 6th annual Derby Days starting Feb.13 until the 16 on campus. This event aims to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network.
For three days, the brothers of Sigma Chi will be wearing derbies while being protected by their PanHellenic sorority teammates. The objective of the event is to steal the other team’s hat. The team with the most derbies at the end of the three days is awarded points for the overall competition.
On Monday there was a Derby Dash competition in Vaughn Courtyard at 6 p.m. Tuesday at 8 p.m. was the Little Miss Derby beauty pageant. Each sorority team is responsible for dressing their Sigma Chi teammate. This can include, but is not limited to, putting on make-up, dresses and shaving his legs “if he is willing,” added Matthew Luber, sophomore finance major and Sigma Chi brother.
Wednesday involved a dodge ball tournament at the McNiff Fitness Center basketball courts and Thursday is a fundraiser at Frankie’s: the gourmet of fast food at 5 p.m. on West Kennedy Blvd.
Sigma Chi will be selling t-shirts and hosting “Penny Wars” in Vaughn Lobby all week to raise money.
According to Luber, the fraternity raised about five thousand dollars last year.
During penny wars, jars are put out for each competing team. Pennies are positive points and all silver coins are negative points. The team with the most points wins the war.
Derby Days started at the University of California- Berkeley in 1933 and is a national event, but every chapter runs the events differently. It is “designed to create a fun, competitive, and successful philanthropic event,” Luber said.
As Derby Days inches closer, the excitement is rising and the new members don’t know exactly what to expect with the exception for the stories they’ve heard. “I heard it’s intense and everyone goes all out,” said a Kappa Alpha Theta new member Jen Allison. One Sigma Delta Tau new member believes “it’s going to be entertaining.”
The men of Sigma Chi cannot wait to participate on the more frightening side of Derby Days. Freshman finance major, Al Lopez is a new member and is excited for the events to begin. He is one of the lucky men who will be wearing a derby hat next week.
Luber and Mike Rafter, senior entrepreneurship major and Sigma Chi President, do admit to being scared at times during past Derby Days. The protection by the sorority teams is never enough. Rafter recalls, “Girls just pop out of the bushes and attack you.” According to Luber, “these ladies turn into line backers for one week.”
Older sisters who have participated in past years are thrilled that the event, which normally happens in the fall, will be occurring this spring semester. It gives the entire sorority a chance to bond. Chelsea McDonald, an older sister in Delta Zeta, said her favorite Derby Days memory is when they won the Little Miss Derby competition in 2008. “We had a great time painting his nails, doing his makeup, and teaching him how to walk in heels.”
“Derby Days has proven to be the most popular theme week on campus year after year,” Luber said. “The fact that all this fun is going to a great cause makes it that much more special. Alpha Chi Omega has been on a winning streak for the past three years. Hopefully the other sororities give a run for their money this year.”
Derby Days is a great way for students to get involved on campus, support classmates and show their school spirit. The brothers of Sigma Chi invite all University of Tampa Students to come out and support their philanthropy.
Danielle Sopchak can be reached at danielle.sopchak@spartans.ut.edu.
A job well done!