The men of Phi Delta Theta will be hosting a Phiathlon on Sat., Oct. 4, around noon, in Frat Park to raise awareness for ALS.
Sororities may enter eight members per team for their official roster, but the fraternity encourages larger teams. Events include tug of war and a three legged race. With the recent social media popularity of the ice bucket challenge, Phi Delta Theta thought it would be a great idea to host a fall event that would raise money for its national philanthropy --Â The ALS Association in honor of member Lou Gehrig.
"We haven't had a philanthropy event in a while," internal philanthropy chair and senior in business, Dominic Cannizzaro, said. "We're excited to get it going again. ALS awareness has become a big deal, recently, so it's worked out nicely. We want people to see how big of an issue it is and are hoping to make this an annual event."
Senior in LAS, Kirk Andrese, and junior in LAS, Johnny Mark, have been assisting Cannizzaro in preparations for the event. Cannizzarro believes that philanthropy events bring the Greek system closer together. "A lot of times Greek life cannot get the best rep. We're doing something for the greater good. It brings people together."Â
Andrese agreed with Cannizzarro about the togetherness of philanthropy and also agreed that this philanthropy will be beneficial for the Phi Delta Theta chapter as a whole. Cannizzarro explained that it has been difficult organizing a philanthropy, in the past, and the chapter is looking forward to being a part of something that most chapters on campus partake in.
"We've been on campus for 100 years. Other houses are established with their philanthropies and that's what we want as well. It will be a big impact on the chapter," Cannizzaro said.