By: SoRelle Wyckoff
The Alabama Homecoming football game vs. South Carolina was not the only competition in the minds of the Greek community last week. The days leading up to Saturday’s game consisted of daily competitions, events and preparations to determine what some would consider, “the most spirited sorority.”
During homecoming week, each on-campus sorority was paired with a fraternity or a National Pan-Hellenic sorority. The teams competed in events throughout the week, earning points for each place won.
Delta Zeta sorority took home the prize of the 2010 Homecoming Spirit Cup, and was presented to DZ President Abby Johnson during halftime of the Homecoming football game. The overall winner for smaller organizations was Computer Based Honors, who took home the Spirit Bowl.
The events included athletic events, such as dodge ball and bowling, as well as spirit-based events, such as “paint the town red,” and the lawn decoration competition.
Points were also earned through philanthropic opportunities offered throughout the Tuscaloosa community. The Greek community raised money for nonprofits through “Crimson Kick-Off” and volunteered at local churches. The “Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger” campaign kicked off, and thousands of cans were collected for local food banks.
Sarah Papadelias, SGA Homecoming Director of Service Projects, set a goal to reach out to all corners and organizations of the University of Alabama Campus.
“We had a remarkable level of student involvement this year,” Papadelias said, “both large and small organizations participated together in each event.”
Papadelias also said that while the Greek community was instrumental in the success of the philanthropic side of homecoming, the turnout of smaller organizations on campus was overwhelming.
“I think we achieved our goal in uniting and involving students, as well as ensuring a fun homecoming experience for the University community,” she said.
The majority of the sorority and fraternity representatives and competitors rose out of the newest members of the Greek community. Pledges and “new girls” teamed up for their challenges, while at the same time, making friends and becoming involved in the Greek Community.
“I realized through homecoming, that it wasn’t just about my sorority,” said Alyssa Mancini, a Freshmen Phi Mu. “It was great seeing the Greek community come together in such a positive light.”
Many freshmen, like Mancini, saw homecoming week as their first opportunity to represent not only their Greek affiliation, but also the Greek community as a whole on the University of Alabama campus.
“I was so honored to represent my sorority,” Mancini said. “Everyone was so pumped and enthusiastic for the whole thing.”
Mancini, also a member of Crimson Cabaret, represented the Phi Mu sorority in the choreography competition Thursday night of homecoming week.
The choreography competition is one of the larger contests of the week. Phi Mu placed first, for the second year in a row. Alpha Chi Omega placed second, and Zeta Tau Alpha took third.
And while the choreography competition was between sorority members only, most of the events were for teams of both fraternity and sorority members.
“I felt like participating in something for my fraternity,” said Ryan Coleman, a freshman Theta Chi, who competed in dodge ball, alongside fellow fraternity brothers and members of sorority Pi Beta Phi.
Competitions aside, Coleman, like others, found homecoming to be a fun opportunity to meet other members of the Alabama Greek community.
Many of the bonds made during the week were created during hours of a tradition fondly referred to as “pomping.” And while both Mancini and Coleman agreed that pomping was not their favorite part of homecoming week, they said in the end, it was worth the effort.
“Besides,” Coleman said, “I got to get away from the Theta Chi house, and hang out with a bunch of girls- not a bad break.”
Freshmen could often be found at the sorority houses late into the night, rolling squares of colored tissue paper into balls.
“It was kind of fun being at the house, getting to know everyone,” Mancini said, “And while it wasn’t my favorite part of the week, it was a bonding experience nonetheless.”
Both Mancini and Coleman expressed pride in their final product. The decorations were displayed on the lawns of sorority row throughout the weekend, giving the community a chance to look at the hard work of the students.
Alpha Omicron Pi took first place in the lawn decorating competition, while Delta Zeta took second, and Zeta Tau Alpha took third.
Many non- Greek organizations displayed their “pomped” products as well. Computer Based Honors took claimed first in lawn decoration, while ASSCA and the Wesley Foundation took second and third, respectively.
“Looking at all the final products on Saturday before the game, I was so impressed,” Mancini said.
Coleman agreed, and said that, “it felt good to not only do something for the school, but for the community as well.”
Competition Results (listed by sorority):
Bowling:
1. Delta Zeta
2. Alpha Chi Omega
3. Zeta Tau Alpha
Basketball (female)
1. Alpha Gamma Delta
2. Alpha Chi Omega
3. Chi Omega
Basketball (male)
1. Pi Kappa Alpha
2. Theta Chi
3. Lambda Chi Alpha
Dodge ball
1. Alpha Gamma Delta
2. Pi Beta Phi
3. Alpha Chi Omega
Choreography
1. Phi Mu
2. Alpha Chi Omega
3. Zeta Tau Alpha
Paint the Town Red
1. Chi Omega
2. Phi Mu
3. Alpha Delta Pi
Banner Competition
1. Alpha Chi Omega
2. Phi Mu
2. Chi Omega
Lawn Decoration
1. Alpha Omicron Pi
2. Delta Zeta
3. Zeta Tau Alpha
Parade
1. Alpha Delta Pi
2. Pi Beta Phi
3. Delta Zeta
