On most nice days, people can find members of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity outside playing volleyball on the chapter’s court.
But for one day of the school year, students from all across campus take to the sand of the fraternity’s volleyball court to serve, set and spike out for a good cause.
For 10 years now, members of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and Sigma Phi Epsilon have hosted the annual Spiking Out volleyball tournament, and on Saturday, the tradition of this event will continue.
All the money raised from this tournament goes directly to the two chapters’ philanthropies, the Willow Domestic Violence Center in Lawrence, which is Alpha Chi Omega’s philanthropy, and the Douglas County AIDS Project in Lawrence, which is Sigma Phi Epsilon’s philanthropy.
Sophomore Caleb Watts said the event is a good way for people in his fraternity to help and give back to its philanthropy.
“It feels good to give back, too,” he said. “We don’t give enough back I don’t think, and I think … that it’s kind of nice to, once you see all the money in front of you and go, ‘Wow, we’re giving this all to something that we care about.'”
Students wanting to participate in the tournament can sign up in teams of six to eight people for $50. This year, people will also be allowed to enter individually for $7 and will be placed on a team with other individuals.
Each member of the winning team will receive a $20 gift certificate to the Baldwin City Kwik Shop. Students will also have the opportunity to win prizes with several drawings throughout the morning.
Sigma Phi Epsilon President Eric Reimer said last year, about 15 to 20 teams participated in the tournament, and by the end of the day, the chapters were able to raise about $2,000 for their philanthropies. His goal for this year would be just to match or do better than last year in terms of teams and money raised.
In addition to helping out his fraternity with the event, Reimer is also competing in the tournament.
”I’m excited for it,” he said. “It’s one of my favorite things we do, just because we’re playing volleyball all day outside, and just kind of hanging out, which is nice.”
As of Wednesday, about 10 teams had registered for the event. But sophomore Hannah Schaake said they will be willing to accept both teams and individuals up until Saturday morning when the first game begins at 10 a.m. Schaake said while this event will be fun, it will also be making an impact on people’s lives.
“Sometimes I don’t think people … think of the impact (they’re) making on thousands of other people’s lives,” she said. “You do help people. You’re helping moms, you’re helping kids, you’re helping students, and it’s just one of those things that it affects a lot of people, and just by playing volleyball you’re helping.”
