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Fraternities change Greek Week focus to help community, charities
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SFA's Interfraternity Council hosted Greek Week, a weeklong competition between campus fraternities including both sporting events and community service activities, last week.
The IFC is a "governing body" for fraternities on campus, with officers elected by chapter presidents, according to Michael Shelton, Mabank junior and IFC vice president. "Greek Week is a week of sporting events… and friendly competition."
In recent years, IFCs across the country, including SFA, have changed their Greek Weeks to revolve less around sports and more around activities to benefit the community.
"In past years, the overall goal (of Greek Week) was to find out who is the best athlete, but IFC is trying to change that," Jacob Whitehurst, IFC public relations officer and Frankston junior, said. "We're trying to reach out and do something for the community. We're tired of being ridiculed or being seen as guys just playing sports and trying to rip each other's heads off."
Last week's events included Ultimate Frisbee, basketball, racquetball, volleyball, washers, floor hockey, softball and four-on-four football, as well as a canned food drive for Godtel Ministries and a service day at the Boys & Girls Club of Nacogdoches, helping to clean equipment closets, spread mulch on the playground, and mow the field, said Shelton.
"Godtel was really appreciative. We got about 1,000 cans between 15 fraternities," Whitehurst said. "The community does a lot for us. Boys & Girls Club helped with Fight Night."
The move toward more philanthropic projects is part of an effort to change the image of fraternities positively.
"A lot of guys understand Greek Week doesn't have to be about sports. It's nice to know you won, but there's more to it than winning… They welcomed the idea with open arms," Whitehurst said.
"It's nice for Greeks to come together and help out," Shelton said. "We like to show Greek life can do more for the community."
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