The Observer, April 8, 2005
Volume XXXVII, Issue 24
Greek students energized by annual week of festivities
Greek Week, the annual series of competitions within Case fraternities and sororities, returned to campus Sunday afternoon and continues with more events through the weekend.
The theme chosen this year by the Office of Greek Life and representatives from the various Greek houses is "Putting the Western back in Case Western."
The men's fraternities compete against one another, and sorority women also compete in their own division. Each year's competitions include variety shows, swim events, root beer chugs, and an egg toss. The week culminates this Sunday with the Rope Pull tournament, to be held behind Leutner, between the Delta Tau Delta and Alpha Phi houses.
Sigma Phi Epsilon was last year's men's champion. "We've been practicing hard, and are hun-gry for win No. 4," junior Aaron Williams commented.
With three new sororities in the running this year, defending champion Phi Mu will face increased competition to hold the title.
"I love how Phi Mu has an amazing way of coming together and showing the rest of Greek Life how we can be great at everything, from academics to sports," said senior Phi Mu Jane Koltsova.
Though many chapters gear up for the events by practicing for several weeks in advance, some participants think of Greek Week as a series of social mixtures promoting unity within the Greek community.
"It's not fun if you take it seriously, because then you're defining your organization relative to other organizations," senior Phi Psi Don Yungher said. "Even worse, you're comparing yourselves based on how well you can throw and catch an egg."
"Greek Week is [a] great time for everyone to show off their respective talents," Koltsova said.
Many Greeks said that Variety Show was not only their favorite event to participate in and watch, but also the one event they would recommend to others, especially non-Greeks. A survey conducted by the Office of Greek Life found that Variety Show was the event least favored for cancellation in future years. Watching the other chapters perform is tops on a number of Greeks' lists.
"Almost every chapter does something really impressive or really hilarious," junior Alpha Phi Laura Wine said.
Judged by a panel of professors and Greek Life staff, anything from singing, dancing, drama, comedy, water guns, and general antics will hit the stage. Last year the Quiznos cup even made an appearance in Phi Mu's seven-minute skit. Some chapters have taken to folding laundry or reciting monologues to pass the time on stage.
Several more events are scheduled before the week's culmination on Sunday. The water events will be held tonight in Veale. Saturday will have Can Castle at the Heart of Campus, the Obstacle Course on the quad, and Egg Toss, Unity Event, and Pyramid will take place on Freiberger Field. Everything will finish Sunday with Rope Pull, followed by the awards ceremony.
