The Sigma Chi fraternity's Derby Days, its most profitable philanthropy event, began Monday and already it has raised $4,000 for Children's Miracle Network.
Jerome Ball, Sigma Chi treasurer and Derby Days chairman, said the fraternity surpassed last year's total already. The event raised about $3,500 in 2007 and about $2,000 the year before, he said.
"It's a lot of work," he said, "but in the end it's all worth it to know that it's for a good cause."
Monday was an orientation about the events. Derby Days is a week-long series of several fun competitions for teams of about 10 women, he said. This year 20 teams have signed up compared to 13 last year. The teams consist of women from Ball State University's sororities and independent teams, he said.
Each team had to pay a $100 entry fee, Ball said. Entry fees, donations and sponsoring totaled about $4,000.
The teams will compete in a flag football tournament, a karaoke competition and the Derby Olympics which consists of dodgeball, tug of war and jousting, Ball said.
The karaoke competition is usually the most popular event, he said. Contestants choose their song and dress up to fit their act, he said.
"It's always big," he said. "It's a lot of fun. People make fools of themselves."
Sophomore elementary education major Leah Furney said she was most excited about the karaoke competition, but the whole event was good for getting people involved and bringing people together.
"A lot of people are really excited about it," she said. "It's not just greek life, but the whole campus as one."
Ball said Sigma Chi also was having the Derby Darling Contest for the first time this year. Each team chose one of its members to be its Derby Darling representative. The teams received a jug and have the week to raise as much money as it can to fill the jug. At the end of the week, the donations are counted and the team that raises the most money will be announced at a formal banquet on Friday. The representative from the team that raises the most money will be crowned the Derby Darling. Half of the Derby Darling proceeds will be donated to a charity of the winning team's choice.
He said other Sigma Chi chapters have had success with the Derby Darling Contest.
Ball State's Sigma Chi chapter has been doing this event for more than 30 years, Ball said. It originated with the University of California, Berkeley's chapter.
Derby Days will finish Saturday with the Derby Olympics and a concert by Mudkids, a hip-hop band from Indianapolis. The concert is at the Sigma Chi house and is open to the public for $5. Doors open at 6 p.m.
"[The concert] is a chance for other greek organizations who aren't participating to help out," he said. "It kind of breaks up the whole rival thing."
Derby Olympics and Mudkids concertTime: 6 p.m. Saturday
Venue: Sigma Chi house
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