Delta Sigma Phi hosted its first major philanthropic event, a kickball tournament titled “Balls to the Wall,” Saturday.
“This is the first time we’ve ever done a philanthropic event, period,” said Elliot Ewing, a communication studies senior and Delta Sigma Phi president. “It’s kind of hard, but it’s a learning experience.”
Ewing said the purpose of the kickball tournament, which pitted a number of teams from different sororities against each other, was to have fun and raise money for the March of Dimes at the same time.
March of Dimes funds research and innovative programs to save babies from birth defects, premature birth and low birth weight.
Ewing said donations from sponsors, sorority registration fees and donations from sororities who could not participate totaled about $1,000 for the philanthropy.
“We chose kickball because it’s one of those lost childhood sports that everyone can play,” Ewing said.
Members of Delta Delta Delta, Sigma Alpha, Kappa Alpha Theta, Zeta Tau Alpha and Kappa Delta sororities competed in the tournament to raise money for charity and try to win the tournament trophy.
The Delta Sig tournament did not feature normal games of kickball, though. The two kickball fields featured baby pools full of water in each outfield. Any kick landing in one of the pools was an automatic home run.
Large fake palm trees and Greek letters also adorned the outfields. Ewing said any kick which hit the “decorations” was also an automatic home run, but not many of the girls came close.
The tournament also featured a homerun derby round and a bonus ball worth twice the amount of points scored off the kick.
Local radio station X104.9 was at the event handing out door prizes to girls who kicked home runs or made other impressive plays.
Smoothie King also was on the Parade Ground handing out free smoothie samples.
Keanne Dupre, a textiles, apparel and merchandising student and Tri Delta activities chair said she enjoyed the tournament.
“The reason for us to participate is to benefit a good cause, but the incentive is kickball,” Dupre said.
Dupre said Tri Delta chose to participate to help support a good cause and to support Delta Sig because they help support Tri Delta’s fund-raising projects.
Jennifer Bollinger, an elementary education sophomore and Kappa Delta member, said she also was there to support the March of Dimes.
Bollinger said the tournament was a great way to enjoy a beautiful day and gorgeous weather, while meeting members of a fraternity with whom they had not participated in a philanthropic event.
Bolliger said she also enjoyed the light-hearted atmosphere and continued to smile even after her team lost one of its final games.