During recent years, Greek systems all over the country have been bashed, criticized and rebuked. Every time a fraternity messes up or gets into any type of trouble, college administrations and the press are quick to point out all the faults of our Greek system. It is very rare that anyone takes notice of the positive benefits of having organizations like fraternities and sororities. Now, please don’t get me wrong. I am not one of those gung-ho Greeks that think it is our way or no way. I am not going to rattle off any facts or figures to talk about all the leaders of this country that were in fraternities. The truth is, today’s Greek system is completely different from 20 years ago. There is no guarantee that today’s system will be as productive as it has been in the past, but there are positive aspects of fraternities and sororities that are unique to our organizations, in particular philanthropy.
There are many students throughout campus that form brotherhoods together, live and eat together, go to church together and many other activities similar to Greeks. Those groups regularly volunteer to tutor school kids or raise $12,000 for the Sally Kate Winters Home for Abused and Neglected Children, or $70,000 for a local student that was hit by a drunk driver or $40,000 for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. I could keep going, but I think everyone gets the point.
There are lots of people that need help that will never get it, but there are groups in the Greek system that try to make a difference. The Oktibbeha County Boys’ and Girls’ Club is a local organization that puts on after-school programs for local youth. The Boys’ and Girls’ Club was started last year and really needs help from the community, including Mississippi State students. Sigma Phi Epsilon is taking the first step.
This weekend, Sig Ep is hosting the First Annual Sig Ep Fall Classic baseball tournament at the Starkville High School baseball field. Members of Sig Ep, Pike, Kappa Sig, Sigma Chi, KA, SAE, DG, KD, Chi Omega, Zeta, Tri Delta and Phi Mu helped make this tournament possible. They are helping the kids in our community. Everyone is invited to support the First Annual Sig Ep Fall Classic.
The baseball tournament will kick off Friday at 5 p.m. with a game between Sig Ep and KA, and end with the championship game Sunday afternoon at 1. Tickets will be $3 for the entire weekend. Packets including a ticket, a T-shirt and a raffle ticket for a free stay in San Destin are on sale in the Union.