Delta Delta Delta Sorority also known as Tri Delta, held their annual Ultimate Frisbee tournament on a sunny Saturday April, 30 at Marina Vista Park in Long Beach in order to raise funds for the chapter’s National Philanthropy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
St. Jude, a children’s hospital that provides cost-free health care for children suffering from cancer. In addition, the families of the children are accommodated for to alleviate any added stresses and turn the primary focus to finding a cure. “St. Jude is able to provide one hundred percent coverage to every child’s family so they don’t have to worry about a hotel, transportation from the airport, or a flight to Tennessee thanks to organization like ours that fundraise year-round for the cause,” said Emma Cade, President of Delta Delta Delta.
The sorority has three big events throughout the year in order to raise funds for their cause holds the tournament every year in the spring semester. The day is set up in a double elimination format that gives the tournament a competitive vibe but offers structure that helps the day run smoothly. The different fraternities are invited to compile a team of their members to join the competition and pay an entry fee of $150 per team. In addition, t-shirts are designed and sold to both players and sorority members to generate excess profit.
“I am excited to play today, I have heard great things about the tournament and it seems like it will be a lot of fun. There will be about eight of us playing on the team, but there are already a lot of my brothers here to watch and support Tri-Delt even though they aren’t playing. It should be a fun day, hopefully it doesn’t get too warm out!” said Nick Rowe, freshman and member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Teams gathered together alongside their respective fields as two assigned Tri-Delta coaches gave words of motivation and encouragement as referees discussed the rules and proceeded to start the clock.
Between four fields, teams played in a randomly selected bracket providing the fairest turn out possible. Sorority and fraternity members held handmade signs that read “Kappa So Good at Frisbee” and “SAE we got this!” as they cheered for their favorite teams. Girls high fived as Phi Kappa Tau, the underdogs scored a goal and won their game against Phi Psi, putting them in the winner’s bracket.
“This is my last year in Tri Delta which make this my last ultimate Frisbee tournament! Our philanthropy is something really important to me because last year, I was the Vice President of Philanthropy for the chapter and was in charge of putting all the events. Since I know the responsibilities that go along with putting on these events, I understand how important the players’ participation is to our success and really appreciate it! Every year I have coached Phi Kappa Tau and I’m really excited that we won our first game!” said Danielle Millhouse, a fourth year at CSULB and senior member of Delta Delta Delta.
Games progressed and the second to last winners’ bracket consisted of Kappa Sigma, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Kappa Tau, and reigning champions, Theta Chi. Cheering escalated as spectators walked between the SAE and Kappa Sigma game and the Phi Tau and Theta Chi game. The sound of whistles indicated that the games were concluded leaving Phi Kappa Tau and Theta Chi in the last game, battling for the trophy. “Theta Chi has won two years in a row; they have about nine of their members on the Ultimate Frisbee team at CSULB and are really good. It’s really exciting to see Phi Tau, who’s never won a title make it all the way to the final game!” said Cade.
In a highly energetic game full of anticipation, Phi Tau overcame the competition and for the first time, won the competition! Team mates high fived and yelled with excitement over their victory as they were handed the trophy and posed for a picture. “This event was a huge success for us as a Chapter. Not only was it a fun-filled day for a great cause, we raised more than we have in both 2009 and 2010. We raised $1,650 this year and have made a goal for next year to raise $1,800, with hard work and passion for St. Jude I have no doubt that we can do this!” said Cade.
=Emily Andrews=
=Emily Andrews=
