The crowds roar as the distinct scent of sweat and fruity body splash fills the field in front of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house. There are many girls, but one goal--to claim the honor of being the 2003 Fiji Olympic champions.
Phi Gamma Delta, otherwise known as Fiji, will host its second annual Olympic events beginning today at 4:30 p.m. at the Fiji house. There, different sororities will compete for a date party with the Fijis. The donations from the Olympics will benefit the Scottish Rite Children's Hospital.
The Kappa Kappa Gammas are enduring intense practices as they prepare to defend their 2002 championship.
"We really don't know what to expect this year, but we are willing to try hard, and it is well worth it," said Adrienne Jones, member of Kappa Kappa Gamma."
Members of the Fiji house say they know what a sorority must have in order to walk away as winners of their Olympic games. Whether it is the three-legged race, the pie-eating contest, or football, there are a few outstanding skills found in any winning team.
"The most important thing is practicing as a team," said Kendall Smith, Fiji Olympic chairman. "That is how the Kappas won last year."
The competing sororities are all seen as great prospects this year.
"Each house has as good of a chance as the others," Smith said. "The overall vocal spirit is the most important thing, though."
According to the Kappa girls, this spirit is their strength.
"Our house as a whole having a good turnout will definitely be the one thing that could give us the upper hand," Jones said.
Fiji Olympic spirit is also seen throughout the week prior to the games. Different sororities have paid visits to the Fiji house to deliver gifts, goodies and other surprises.
"The Kappas spelled out 'KKG' in Christmas lights on our roof, but the Pi Phis reassembled it to spell out 'Pi Phi' instead," Smith said.
From team to team, one thing remains the same--the desire and the will to win. Many sororities will go to great lengths in order to catch the Fijis' attention.
"We brought donuts over to the house that said 'Pi Phi' on them, and we will also bring cookies and other stuff over later on," said Katie Rodi, Pi Beta Phi philanthropic chairwoman.
Pi Beta Phi, the second-place winners from 2002, are also preparing to take on the challenges of this year's Olympics.
"We have been practicing our football for a while, so we have our game faces on," Rodi said. "I think we are going to get first because everyone is so pumped and so willing to take the trophy home for Pi Phi."
While the Pi Phis aim to win, they are not the only ones going for the gold.
"We are expecting a good turnout from our house this year and are looking forward to having fun and supporting a good cause," said Jamie Shultz, member of Gamma Phi Beta.
"I think we are going to dominate in the football category this year," said Camille Wilson, Chi Omega intramural chairwoman. "We have been having practices and lots of meetings as well as planning behind the scenes."
According to Jones, the competitive spirit of the events evolved as the week progressed.
"Last year it began as fun and innocent, but as the week went on it became an intense, fierce fight for first," Jones said. "So now that everyone knows what to expect, I think it will be a fun sight to see."
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